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Yolvolt · 9 October 2016, 05:49 AM

Hello all,

I finally decided which Rolex I want to purchase and put down a deposit in Watches of Switzerland at Heathrow as that seemed to be the best option for buying Rolex and I'm also flying to a non-EU country soon. However, I did this without doing a proper research and now I see that it is not as great as it seems as I have to declare the watch when I return back to the UK.

I will obviously declare the watch and pay whatever they ask me to pay there's no question about this. However, I was at Heathrow last year and bought some goods in Chanel worth approximately £1600 - I was again flying to non-EU country. I had absolutely no idea about declaring the items and when I returned to the UK, I went through the green channel with the paper bags in my hand, I even smiled at the customs officer as I was passing by

.

My questions is - do these shops record our purchases and passing the information on to the customs/HMRC so the officer will be expecting me on my arrival back to the UK? Will they then detect I bought some stuff last year and did not declare them? I'm happy to pay whatever I owe but I don't want anybody to think I'm trying to dodge the system.

Thank you for your advice.

grantfrost · 9 October 2016, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yolvolt

Hello all,

I finally decided which Rolex I want to purchase and put down a deposit in Watches of Switzerland at Heathrow as that seemed to be the best option for buying Rolex and I'm also flying to a non-EU country soon. However, I did this without doing a proper research and now I see that it is not as great as it seems as I have to declare the watch when I return back to the UK.

I will obviously declare the watch and pay whatever they ask me to pay there's no question about this. However, I was at Heathrow last year and bought some goods in Chanel worth approximately £1600 - I was again flying to non-EU country. I had absolutely no idea about declaring the items and when I returned to the UK, I went through the green channel with the paper bags in my hand, I even smiled at the customs officer as I was passing by

.

My questions is - do these shops record our purchases and passing the information on to the customs/HMRC so the officer will be expecting me on my arrival back to the UK? Will they then detect I bought some stuff last year and did not declare them? I'm happy to pay whatever I owe but I don't want anybody to think I'm trying to dodge the system.

Thank you for your advice.

Lol of course not

NickTruswell · 9 October 2016, 06:31 AM

Wear it there and back, done!

Yolvolt · 9 October 2016, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantfrost

Lol of course not

Seriously? I've read on another forum that somebody was buying from Geneva airport on his return to the UK and they informed him that they will need to pass the information on to the customs

Yolvolt · 9 October 2016, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickTruswell

Wear it there and back, done!

Thank you for your input. To be honest, I rather pay as I don't want to have problems in the future, are you sure Watches of Switzerland is not passing the details of the transaction further? Don't they scan my passport and boarding pass? Plus I will be paying with my debit card so the transaction will be recorded in my account which I guess is another give away. Or am I being too paranoid here?

Chalet · 9 October 2016, 07:26 AM

They don't pass your details to customs. In fact the guy I spoke to at T5 made a point of it.

That said, you know the law and should declare the watch when you return and pay the VAT due.

The penalty is double the duty, and you will be a 'marked' passenger on all your subsequent returns to the UK.

NickTruswell · 9 October 2016, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yolvolt

Thank you for your input. To be honest, I rather pay as I don't want to have problems in the future, are you sure Watches of Switzerland is not passing the details of the transaction further? Don't they scan my passport and boarding pass? Plus I will be paying with my debit card so the transaction will be recorded in my account which I guess is another give away. Or am I being too paranoid here?

Not wanting to sound rude but it sounds like you don't travel very much. Don't sweat it, all is fine, the people you worry about have way bigger issues to concern themselves with and yes you are paranoid :)

Mick P · 9 October 2016, 08:28 AM

The only point of risk is that HMRC do have an arrangement with all credit card companies and they ask a short and simple question - did this person use a credit card at the airport to buy goods. They get an answer in about three minutes.

Mick

paulh69 · 9 October 2016, 08:37 AM

unless they saw you had a suitcase full of them they are unlikely to stop you

grantfrost · 9 October 2016, 08:49 AM

Unless you are coming from a high risk country i.e one they actively stop many people from as drugs are known to come in by couriers from you'd be pretty unlucky to get stopped..and as they said if you are wearing it thats the end of it

texex91 · 9 October 2016, 10:00 AM

I suggest you fly back, explain that you tried to skirt the system and tell them you'd like to pay any and all taxes and/or ready to be put in prison.

Good luck.

Yolvolt · 9 October 2016, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickTruswell

Not wanting to sound rude but it sounds like you don't travel very much. Don't sweat it, all is fine, the people you worry about have way bigger issues to concern themselves with and yes you are paranoid :)

You are right, I don't travel that often and if I do, it's only a short flight within the EU. I had no idea I have to declare my purchases at Heathrow, I thought I buy it, it's mine and that's the end of it :) Thank you for your advice!

Yolvolt · 9 October 2016, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick P

The only point of risk is that HMRC do have an arrangement with all credit card companies and they ask a short and simple question - did this person use a credit card at the airport to buy goods. They get an answer in about three minutes.

Mick

Hi Mick, does it make any difference if I pay with my debit card?

Yolvolt · 9 October 2016, 07:12 PM

Thank you all for your comments, very helpful. I will declare the watch but I'm glad to know that they don't have records of my previous undeclared purchases so I'm not flagged up in the system and I won't be hit by a huge fine - paranoia at its finest I know!

Shaky · 9 October 2016, 07:18 PM

If you get caught you get caught. I don't think they have the time or staff to start going through old manifests and credit card details to see who may have not paid any duties.
If you watch customs officers. You will see them all come out of their office and wait for specific flights. They know who they are looking for profile wise
How many times have you got off a flight and walked through the green channel and there hasn't been a sole about. I know I have plenty of times.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

youthagainsttt · 9 October 2016, 07:18 PM

Never done it and not saying this is right but I've heard of people buying a watch then having the watchbox posted separately to avoid this

Mick P · 9 October 2016, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yolvolt

Hi Mick, does it make any difference if I pay with my debit card?

To be honest I don't know.

Applefloors · 9 October 2016, 07:46 PM

I purchased a Rolex Daytona 116520 from Mappin & webb at T5. I was travelling to Los Angeles.

The dealer gave me the 20% discount, as if its the Vat, but Aurum Group have a agreement with HMRC & World Duty Free & Heathrow airport that you will get the equivalent discount where ever you are flying to, it is shown as a discount.

When I arrived back in the UK I asked Mappin and Webb to send me a VAT receipt for the watch and claimed that back as well through my company accounts.

So don't worry

Mark

bayerische · 9 October 2016, 07:47 PM

You are a UK resident? You're buying the watch in the UK.

Why would you need to declare it?

Or does the UK let a UK traveler to a non-EU country to buy tax-free at the Airport? Not possible here. You'll have to prove you reside in a country outside the EU to do that.

mapalfa · 9 October 2016, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayerische

You are a UK resident? You're buying the watch in the UK.

Why would you need to declare it?

Or does the UK let a UK traveler to a non-EU country to buy tax-free at the Airport? Not possible here. You'll have to prove you reside in a country outside the EU to do that.

No issues, they automaticaly deduct the tax if you're flying out of the EU. That way they don't have to pay it to HMRC as part of their quarterly return.

When you come back into the EU it's your legal responsibility to declare it.

bayerische · 9 October 2016, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mapalfa

No issues, they automaticaly deduct the tax if you're flying out of the EU. That way they don't have to pay it to HMRC as part of their quarterly return.

When you come back into the EU it's your legal responsibility to declare it.

OK, I see. Here it's not possible. I guess they (government) know not many would actually declare it. So tax-free to non-EU residents only.

Yolvolt · 9 October 2016, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Applefloors

I purchased a Rolex Daytona 116520 from Mappin & webb at T5. I was travelling to Los Angeles.

The dealer gave me the 20% discount, as if its the Vat, but Aurum Group have a agreement with HMRC & World Duty Free & Heathrow airport that you will get the equivalent discount where ever you are flying to, it is shown as a discount.

When I arrived back in the UK I asked Mappin and Webb to send me a VAT receipt for the watch and claimed that back as well through my company accounts.

So don't worry

Mark

So do I understand correctly that you declared the watch on your return to the UK and then claimed the VAT back? Can individual do that too?

AK797 · 9 October 2016, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaky

If you get caught you get caught. I don't think they have the time or staff to start going through old manifests and credit card details to see who may have not paid any duties.
If you watch customs officers. You will see them all come out of their office and wait for specific flights. They know who they are looking for profile wise
How many times have you got off a flight and walked through the green channel and there hasn't been a sole about. I know I have plenty of times.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a funny image.

DJExplorer · 9 October 2016, 11:31 PM

Buy it, wear it. Enjoy your trip and march that bad boy back in to the country on your wrist.
Get home and enjoy it some more.

Converted · 14 April 2017, 09:19 AM

Going through LHR soon. Following. I can check availability if anyone wishes.

SeaDweller50 · 14 April 2017, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Converted

Going through LHR soon. Following. I can check availability if anyone wishes.

Do you work for customs?

530ExplorerII · 14 April 2017, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickTruswell

Not wanting to sound rude but it sounds like you don't travel very much. Don't sweat it, all is fine, the people you worry about have way bigger issues to concern themselves with and yes you are paranoid :)

Seriously. The guys in Customs aren't worried about your undeclared watch. You show up at the booth sweating and paranoid, you're likely to get the rubber glove treatment. You really don't have anything to worry about. Not sure if the UK has the equivalent of the U.S. Global Entry program, but that's the way to go if you've got it.

Runnin' Rebel · 14 April 2017, 10:14 AM

You guys telling him not declare are not in his shoes. Once you get caught there's a good chance you'll be pulled out every time after. It's not worth the Hassle for them to dump your suitcase while you stand there sweating ��.. plus if you get a customs official that's having a bad day you could lose your watch plus be fined. You'll have a line of people watching your stuff get groped and then they'll announce loud enough to embarrass you.

Why would you subject yourself to that. Probably <3% chance but I. get. Pulled. Everytime. In. Every. Country.

I expect it and never have a connection with less then 1.5 hours

Good luck

Global Entry doesn't mean you get a free pass either. Your nothing special everyone using it now.

530ExplorerII · 14 April 2017, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

Global Entry doesn't mean you get a free pass either. Your nothing special everyone using it now.

Who ever said that? Of course everyone is using it, most travel cards are reimbursing you for it these days. Just easier if you don't feel like talking to anyone and you completely missed my point, which is I wouldn't stress about the decision either way. I imagine customs officials are more concerned about keeping people safe, drugs off the street and criminals and/or terrorists passing over borders.

Declare it or not, it's not worth stressing over.

Peter99 · 15 April 2017, 12:46 AM

I once took a camera out of the UK which customs duty had not been paid and I thought, no problem, I'll just wear it hanging around my neck on the way back.
Well, on the way back going thro' Customs with the camera around my neck they stopped me and asked were did I buy the camera? I said in UK.
They said right, we'll impound the camera until you can show a receipt of purchase in the UK.
Well, I could not and had to return to pay a hefty amount to retrieve the camera.
I guess it was just bad luck to get stopped but at the same the camera had a nice case which indicated a nice camera and that I suppose what attracted attention. It's a chancy business!
Haven't done this sort of thing since, as I don't think it's worth the hassle.
It's only money!

9 October 2016, 05:49 AM	#1
Yolvolt "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: London Watch: Datejust 178274 Posts: 9	Buying Rolex at Heathrow and Customs Hello all, I finally decided which Rolex I want to purchase and put down a deposit in Watches of Switzerland at Heathrow as that seemed to be the best option for buying Rolex and I'm also flying to a non-EU country soon. However, I did this without doing a proper research and now I see that it is not as great as it seems as I have to declare the watch when I return back to the UK. I will obviously declare the watch and pay whatever they ask me to pay there's no question about this. However, I was at Heathrow last year and bought some goods in Chanel worth approximately £1600 - I was again flying to non-EU country. I had absolutely no idea about declaring the items and when I returned to the UK, I went through the green channel with the paper bags in my hand, I even smiled at the customs officer as I was passing by . My questions is - do these shops record our purchases and passing the information on to the customs/HMRC so the officer will be expecting me on my arrival back to the UK? Will they then detect I bought some stuff last year and did not declare them? I'm happy to pay whatever I owe but I don't want anybody to think I'm trying to dodge the system. Thank you for your advice.

9 October 2016, 07:47 PM	#19
bayerische "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Andreas Location: Margaritaville Watch: Smurf Posts: 19,879	You are a UK resident? You're buying the watch in the UK. Why would you need to declare it? Or does the UK let a UK traveler to a non-EU country to buy tax-free at the Airport? Not possible here. You'll have to prove you reside in a country outside the EU to do that. __________________ Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

14 April 2017, 10:14 AM	#28
Runnin' Rebel "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: 🤔 Posts: 8,424	You guys telling him not declare are not in his shoes. Once you get caught there's a good chance you'll be pulled out every time after. It's not worth the Hassle for them to dump your suitcase while you stand there sweating ��.. plus if you get a customs official that's having a bad day you could lose your watch plus be fined. You'll have a line of people watching your stuff get groped and then they'll announce loud enough to embarrass you. Why would you subject yourself to that. Probably <3% chance but I. get. Pulled. Everytime. In. Every. Country. I expect it and never have a connection with less then 1.5 hours Good luck Global Entry doesn't mean you get a free pass either. Your nothing special everyone using it now. __________________ ♛

9 October 2016, 06:31 AM	#3
NickTruswell "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Watch: GMT IIC Posts: 230	Wear it there and back, done!

9 October 2016, 07:26 AM	#6
Chalet "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Uk Watch: 13x Rolex Addict Posts: 325	They don't pass your details to customs. In fact the guy I spoke to at T5 made a point of it. That said, you know the law and should declare the watch when you return and pay the VAT due. The penalty is double the duty, and you will be a 'marked' passenger on all your subsequent returns to the UK.

9 October 2016, 08:28 AM	#8
Mick P Banned Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: UK / Spain Watch: 39mm Explorer Posts: 1,990	The only point of risk is that HMRC do have an arrangement with all credit card companies and they ask a short and simple question - did this person use a credit card at the airport to buy goods. They get an answer in about three minutes. Mick

9 October 2016, 08:37 AM	#9
paulh69 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Real Name: Paul Location: Sussex, England Watch: Rolex DateJust 36 Posts: 29	unless they saw you had a suitcase full of them they are unlikely to stop you

9 October 2016, 08:49 AM	#10
grantfrost "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: hogwarts Posts: 62	Unless you are coming from a high risk country i.e one they actively stop many people from as drugs are known to come in by couriers from you'd be pretty unlucky to get stopped..and as they said if you are wearing it thats the end of it

9 October 2016, 10:00 AM	#11
texex91 "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: . Posts: 17,898	I suggest you fly back, explain that you tried to skirt the system and tell them you'd like to pay any and all taxes and/or ready to be put in prison. Good luck.

9 October 2016, 07:12 PM	#14
Yolvolt "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: London Watch: Datejust 178274 Posts: 9	Thank you all for your comments, very helpful. I will declare the watch but I'm glad to know that they don't have records of my previous undeclared purchases so I'm not flagged up in the system and I won't be hit by a huge fine - paranoia at its finest I know!

9 October 2016, 07:18 PM	#15
Shaky "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: UK Posts: 1,125	If you get caught you get caught. I don't think they have the time or staff to start going through old manifests and credit card details to see who may have not paid any duties. If you watch customs officers. You will see them all come out of their office and wait for specific flights. They know who they are looking for profile wise How many times have you got off a flight and walked through the green channel and there hasn't been a sole about. I know I have plenty of times. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

9 October 2016, 07:18 PM	#16
youthagainsttt "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: HK Watch: Piaget,Rolex,AP,HB Posts: 1,040	Never done it and not saying this is right but I've heard of people buying a watch then having the watchbox posted separately to avoid this

9 October 2016, 07:46 PM	#18
Applefloors "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Uk & Lanza Posts: 98	I purchased a Rolex Daytona 116520 from Mappin & webb at T5. I was travelling to Los Angeles. The dealer gave me the 20% discount, as if its the Vat, but Aurum Group have a agreement with HMRC & World Duty Free & Heathrow airport that you will get the equivalent discount where ever you are flying to, it is shown as a discount. When I arrived back in the UK I asked Mappin and Webb to send me a VAT receipt for the watch and claimed that back as well through my company accounts. So don't worry Mark

9 October 2016, 11:31 PM	#24
DJExplorer "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: GA Posts: 403	Buy it, wear it. Enjoy your trip and march that bad boy back in to the country on your wrist. Get home and enjoy it some more.

14 April 2017, 09:19 AM	#25
Converted "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: USA Posts: 26	Going through LHR soon. Following. I can check availability if anyone wishes.

15 April 2017, 12:46 AM	#30
Peter99 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: London Watch: 116610LN & 214270 Posts: 493	I once took a camera out of the UK which customs duty had not been paid and I thought, no problem, I'll just wear it hanging around my neck on the way back. Well, on the way back going thro' Customs with the camera around my neck they stopped me and asked were did I buy the camera? I said in UK. They said right, we'll impound the camera until you can show a receipt of purchase in the UK. Well, I could not and had to return to pay a hefty amount to retrieve the camera. I guess it was just bad luck to get stopped but at the same the camera had a nice case which indicated a nice camera and that I suppose what attracted attention. It's a chancy business! Haven't done this sort of thing since, as I don't think it's worth the hassle. It's only money!

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