Buying Rolex From Abroad, Tax???

[superlative.]

Hello TRF.

I am looking into buying my father a Rolex for his 50th birthday next month.
Originally I planned to buy from the AD here in Dublin, Ireland, and purchase him a Sub or DJ.
Retail over here is about 3.5k+ euros for a DJ and anywhere from 5k up for a new Sub.
Having looked at the sales section here I noticed drastic price differences for NIB and BNIB models, most of them in the USA.
It would be great to save a few pennys and still pick my father up something nice, but Im curious about any fees I may incur should I buy a watch from overseas?.
If any one could shed some light on additonal costs/duty I may have to cough up, or weather a saving can actually be made, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in Advance

Martin.

[jeremyam]

Hi Martin,

My advice would be to purchase locally, let them know that you've looked elsewhere but would prefer to purchase from local AD. Two important items for your consideration. 1.) Taxes (yes, if you import a luxury item, you'll be responsible for taxes levied at the local level. 2.) the EURO/GBP/USD currency no doubt effect the price of the watch. Are you using market conversion rate? I'd knock off about 30 basis points for a more accurate reflection of what you'll receive.

Too much complication and risk for how much? When is your Dad's birthday and how old are you?

J

[Norway]

Hi Martin,
There was some writing about the other day as well, and I think the main conclusion was that it is not going to save you a lot of money to import a watch, with the costs that will come with it.
If you are looking for the best possible price, then it could be worth checking to see if there are any locally based sellers here on TRF that might be able to help you, or maybe someone who knows someone..if you know what i mean.

Good luck!

[Rock]

Martin, you really need to do the numbers for your particular jurisdiction.
Here in Australia I start with the US$ to A$ conversion depending on the exchange rate on the day then add 10% of the items value for GST (goods & services tax levied by the govt) then add the import duty (about $50) plus a quarantine fee $20.
If you are picking up the shipping & insurance then add that as well.
In Australia (with the current exchange rate) it will still be about $500 to a grand cheaper than buying an identical item locally.
Only worth the risk when dealing with a trusted seller.

[andypandy]

3 Weeks ago I bought S**ko Bl**k Mo**t*r from Singapore. The watch cost £ 93.00 the
postage £12.00 and the Tax was £13.00...Total...£118.00. I looked at a U.K. site yesterday
...£ 275.00 ! Amazon cost is circa £170.00. Why not source a Rolex in the E.U. e.g. Germany and have a Jolly and pick up a bargain...Oktoberfest in Munich comes to mind !

[lionheart]

Best place to buy a Rolex watch at a discount is air side at international airport - I bought mine at Heathrow T3 Mappin and Webb. In the UK you will save the VAT(17.5%). You will need to be flying outside the EU though.

[Puffy]

Easy mate. The trusted sellers on here just marks the parcel low value and insure it third party so it sails through customs.

[esm]

Originally Posted by lionheart

Best place to buy a Rolex watch at a discount is air side at international airport - I bought mine at Heathrow T3 Mappin and Webb. In the UK you will save the VAT(17.5%). You will need to be flying outside the EU though.

M&W at T5 also. You dont have to fly outside the EU. last time i checked with them, any destination will grant you the full VAT off.

from memory, one of our UK members picked up a watch from T5 when flying to Scotland recently.



EDIT - forgot to add, if you are not comfortable buying overseas and risk having any custom clearing issues, you can wait for a few more months as Anastasios, (aka Tempoking) is currently setting up a "shop" at Hatton Garden

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by lionheart

Best place to buy a Rolex watch at a discount is air side at international airport - I bought mine at Heathrow T3 Mappin and Webb. In the UK you will save the VAT(17.5%). You will need to be flying outside the EU though.

Doesn't matter where you fly as long as you have a boarding pass

Issue with M&W is you can't pre order from their London branches anymore, you have to deal with Heathrow directly and their list is looooong
tried to get on their list for a GV so my partner could pick it up for me but they told me to get lost...

[esm]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Doesn't matter where you fly as long as you have a boarding pass

Issue with M&W is you can't pre order from their London branches anymore, you have to deal with Heathrow directly and their list is looooong
tried to get on their list for a GV so my partner could pick it up for me but they told me to get lost...

want me to pick one up for you if i see one tomorrow Anders? i will be flying from T5 tomorrow evening

[Rock]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Easy mate. The trusted sellers on here just marks the parcel low value and insure it third party so it sails through customs.

How do TRF sellers feel about this? It would make a useful difference in countries that calculate various types of import taxes/duties on the seller stated value of the item as it appears on the export/import paperwork.
I am thinking that this is probably a sensitive subject and one that remains private between buyer & seller. Is it bad manners to raise this subject with a TRF seller?

[t e x]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Easy mate. The trusted sellers on here just marks the parcel low value and insure it third party so it sails through customs.

No offense, imho, I have to disagree with the appropriateness of your remarks....

Good luck op, great advice here!

ot: +1 andypandy - Ocktoberfest! It's the bicentennial. I may very well be there.

Sláinte

Joel

[jdc]

In UK you will pay VAT, import taxes, carrier handling charges which will add 20% plus to any deal. You also need to factor in shipping and insurance costs. Customs are not stupid and you are taking a chance hoping an item will not get spotted if it's true value is not stated which is tax evasion. Also in the event of the item being lost how would an insurer pay out on an item sent in this way?

[gmtobsessed]

I bought one from the US, paid 10% GST, still couple of hundred cheaper than buying locally

[marke]

As some previous post state, best place to get a Rolex in the Uk is to buy it from mappin and Webb T5. Speak to natalia. You don't have to be flying outside the eu either to purchase from them.

I recently purchased a SS daytona from them and the price was about £5400.