Radboud wrote: ↑Wed Apr 13, 2022 6:27 pm CW will refund the sales tax when you return a watch but you'll be out of any import duties paid. I think CW had plans to charge import duty when ordering but haven't heard mor about this. Would be nice, much more transparent for the customer than getting an unexpected email/call from DHL.

With the recent price increases and now this sales tax + possible import duties, these are not the great watch prices we were used to in the past. But it is fair to other watch sellers in the USA who have to charge sales tax as well. But US watch sellers are becoming more attractive now.

The consumer has always been responsible import duties and taxes. If you did not report your purchases and pay the appropriate sales tax, where applicable, you were most likely in violation of local laws. Due to the volume that CW now does in the USA and certainly within certain states they are now required to report, collect and pay those local taxes as well as import duties. All of this has nothing to do with the watch price increases. It was going to change regardless of the increase.

Of course I know that all who live in a sales tax state did report it and pay.

I thought I’d take a moment to add a final comment. As detailed earlier, CW customer service got back to me quickly to note I was charged my local sales tax, which they are now required to collect, and not VAT.

I replied with a thank you for the quick and thorough reply and admitted that upon more considered reflection I actual came to that very conclusion. I added a quick passing comment about my initial confusion being because the tax was labeled VAT on the email.

I got another follow up this morning thanking me for the feedback over the confusion from the use of the term VAT in the email and noting that IT is now looking into rectifying this for non UK/EU customers!

I think that’s pretty good customer service, especially for something so minor!

yikes, a price hike and now sales tax? glad i got my fair share of cwards already

Kip wrote: ↑Wed Apr 13, 2022 10:27 pm

Radboud wrote: ↑Wed Apr 13, 2022 6:27 pm CW will refund the sales tax when you return a watch but you'll be out of any import duties paid. I think CW had plans to charge import duty when ordering but haven't heard mor about this. Would be nice, much more transparent for the customer than getting an unexpected email/call from DHL.

With the recent price increases and now this sales tax + possible import duties, these are not the great watch prices we were used to in the past. But it is fair to other watch sellers in the USA who have to charge sales tax as well. But US watch sellers are becoming more attractive now.

The consumer has always been responsible import duties and taxes. If you did not report your purchases and pay the appropriate sales tax, where applicable, you were most likely in violation of local laws. Due to the volume that CW now does in the USA and certainly within certain states they are now required to report, collect and pay those local taxes as well as import duties. All of this has nothing to do with the watch price increases. It was going to change regardless of the increase.

Of course I know that all who live in a sales tax state did report it and pay.

I didn't imply the sales tax and price increase were related. Just mentioned all the recent changes result in a final higher price. And making other brands more attractive.

CW used to ship watches with Royal Mail and shipments over S800 often 'flew under the customs radar' when they arrived at USPS. I doubt many customers contacted customs alerting them of their mistake and wanting to pay any duties that were due.

Radboud wrote: ↑Wed Apr 13, 2022 6:27 pm CW will refund the sales tax when you return a watch but you'll be out of any import duties paid. I think CW had plans to charge import duty when ordering but haven't heard mor about this. Would be nice, much more transparent for the customer than getting an unexpected email/call from DHL.

With the recent price increases and now this sales tax + possible import duties, these are not the great watch prices we were used to in the past. But it is fair to other watch sellers in the USA who have to charge sales tax as well. But US watch sellers are becoming more attractive now.

If you return an item for which you were charged import duties, you can file a claim with US Customs for a refund. You don’t automatically forfeit the funds.

Not sure if this is exactly what you are asking, but the 1st $800 is free. The duty starts after that.

NationOfLaws wrote: ↑Fri May 13, 2022 3:20 am Slightly off-topic, but not including state sales tax (I’m in Missouri so I don’t have to worry about it apparently) is the duty rate 3% on the first $1,000 after $800? Having kind of a hard time finding consistent information. First CW purchase.

This is an often discussed topic. A quick search will reveal a number of threads talking about tariffs in the US.

NationOfLaws wrote: ↑Fri May 13, 2022 2:22 pm Ah ok, so the general consensus is that there’s no consensus from the sampling of threads I’ve read. I wasn’t sure if there was a more consistent answer than “totally depends”

My understanding, from following along from all the varied threads, is that it’s not a simple as a straight percentage of a certain amount. But, it’s also nothing outrageous either. The biggest bone of contention about paying the tariff seems to be dealing with DHL and their hit or miss nature with receiving/handling CWs paperwork.

I got a bill from the wonderful state of Maryland at the beginning of this year. Apparently they get import records from Customs for 2021 and I was billed for the sales tax. Between that and import fees not planning to buy and CW watches from CW anymore. Will wait for them to hit the secondary market in the States.

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MichaelMD wrote: ↑Sat May 14, 2022 6:38 pm I got a bill from the wonderful state of Maryland at the beginning of this year. Apparently they get import records from Customs for 2021 and I was billed for the sales tax. Between that and import fees not planning to buy and CW watches from CW anymore. Will wait for them to hit the secondary market in the States.

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So I guess you won't be buying any watches (or anything else for that matter) at brick and mortar retailers either, since they charge applicable sales tax and import duties on their products? This is always a ridiculous argument. Every product you buy is subject to applicable taxes, and any item that's imported is alos subject to applicable import fees and duties. Some of those charges are just hidden in the retail cost.

Lavaine wrote:

MichaelMD wrote: ↑Sat May 14, 2022 6:38 pm I got a bill from the wonderful state of Maryland at the beginning of this year. Apparently they get import records from Customs for 2021 and I was billed for the sales tax. Between that and import fees not planning to buy and CW watches from CW anymore. Will wait for them to hit the secondary market in the States.

Sent from my Galaxy S20 using Tapatalk

So I guess you won't be buying any watches (or anything else for that matter) at brick and mortar retailers either, since they charge applicable sales tax and import duties on their products? This is always a ridiculous argument. Every product you buy is subject to applicable taxes, and any item that's imported is alos subject to applicable import fees and duties. Some of those charges are just hidden in the retail cost.

It’s a lot more complicated than that, but generally we do not pay import duties on most imported goods. Because of the anti-market policies of some other countries, some of their products require duties. The list is very short.

Robotaz wrote: ↑Sun May 15, 2022 4:57 pm It’s a lot more complicated than that, but generally we do not pay import duties on most imported goods. Because of the anti-market policies of some other countries, some of their products require duties. The list is very short.

I don't think the list is as short as you believe. Regardless, the argument is beyond ridiculous. Is he looking up every single imported item he purchases in the 99 chapter Harmonized Tariff Schedule to see if it has a import tariff before purchase, only buying items that are tariff free? Unlikely.
Tilting at windmills.