US Buyers - de minimis rule
- akirk
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US Buyers - de minimis rule
For those in the US, the de minimis rule allows imports valued at less than $800 (£650) to enter the United States duty-free, as long as they are packaged and addressed to individual buyers. This is where buying from the UK can save money - however it is worth noting that Trump sees this as a loophole in trade terms, and may be about to close it. Current indications are that he might not for the UK - seems to be hinting that he won't establish the same trade limitations for the UK as for Canada / Mexico / China / EU - but if he does, this might go...
so if you are debating whether you should / shouldn't make a purchase - this might be worth considering...
so if you are debating whether you should / shouldn't make a purchase - this might be worth considering...
- These users thanked the author akirk for the post (total 3):
- jkbarnes • WxManMike • WileyECoyote
Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
This makes me wonder about pre-orders and how those will be affected.
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- rkovars
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
They do, but de minimus still applies. Right now it appears that the revocation only applies to China but we will see.
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- tikkathree
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
I feel that the $800/£650 threshold is a relatively mature and helpful figure; why do I imagine that the equivalent UK threshold is about £11.63 and probably hasn't been increased since 1968?
Prove me wrong.
Prove me wrong.
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C6 & C60 Kingfishers,
C600 Tritechs,
C63 "some",
C65 "some",
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Some other brands
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
ScofieldReturns wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:16 am Doesn't CW now include import fees directly from their website?
Ultimately, this only affects items under $800 which is the C63 Valour on rubber strap*. So, if you bought a watch over $800 this does not affect you because you are already paying the US Import Duty which CW is collecting it for you at payment time.
* Most C63 Sealander on strap, and maybe a few others depending on the exchange rate, if purchased via the UK site may fall under the $800 so if they are in-stock and you want them now may be the time to purchase as @akirk suggested in his OP.
- welshlad
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
^^^ This would also affect any orders for standalone straps, bracelets, accessories, etc.
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
Thank you. I have such tunnel vision and this is a good reminder that I need to order a TP300 bracelet soon.
Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
It's VAT/sales Tax, not duty in the UK. I think the VAT free limit used to be £15. Since we left the EU it's now 20%VAT even on private purchases from eg ROI. It makes buying anything from non UK sellers difficult. eBay, Alix, Amazon handle the VAT automatically, and even Jomashop offer to collect the 20% for you. If you do it yourself there's an extra £8 per consignment as a handling charge to Royal Mail for collecting the VAT.tikkathree wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 2:00 pm I feel that the $800/£650 threshold is a relatively mature and helpful figure; why do I imagine that the equivalent UK threshold is about £11.63 and probably hasn't been increased since 1968?
Prove me wrong.
I remember buying this Megir for about £12 some years ago. My first Chinese purchase. Unsure how it would all work. Needs a battery now.
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
I saw this posted on the CWE Facebook Group, this afternoon, by a US based member from Texas. An interesting spin on the subject;-
"I saw this from TimeFactors (they sell Smiths watches) re: tariffs for US buyers:
“We have been advised by our courier partners UPS that, as our watches are manufactured in Hong Kong (which is part of China), orders destined for the U.S.A will now be subject to a 10% import tariff from 4th February.
Also, prior to the Executive Order, U.S. customers could also import $800 worth of goods without having to pay any import charges. This $800 limit has now been removed from goods manufactured in China and charges are due on the entire invoice value.
Duty & Tariffs only apply to the watch components originating from Hong Kong, this does not include movements (which are either Swiss or Japanese) but does mean the amount payable varies between watch models.
We believe the average charges to be around 25% of total invoice value.
All Duty & Tariffs are to be paid by the customer and will not be supplemented by Time Factors.”
25% is quite a bit … I hope this is just temporary."
Quite the minefield.
. 
Guy
Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk
"I saw this from TimeFactors (they sell Smiths watches) re: tariffs for US buyers:
“We have been advised by our courier partners UPS that, as our watches are manufactured in Hong Kong (which is part of China), orders destined for the U.S.A will now be subject to a 10% import tariff from 4th February.
Also, prior to the Executive Order, U.S. customers could also import $800 worth of goods without having to pay any import charges. This $800 limit has now been removed from goods manufactured in China and charges are due on the entire invoice value.
Duty & Tariffs only apply to the watch components originating from Hong Kong, this does not include movements (which are either Swiss or Japanese) but does mean the amount payable varies between watch models.
We believe the average charges to be around 25% of total invoice value.
All Duty & Tariffs are to be paid by the customer and will not be supplemented by Time Factors.”
25% is quite a bit … I hope this is just temporary."
Quite the minefield.


Guy
Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
This may have quite an affect on fashion brands in particular.
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
Academic, but interesting. CW surely won't want tariffs applying to their watches.Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:21 pm I saw this posted on the CWE Facebook Group, this afternoon, by a US based member from Texas. An interesting spin on the subject;-
"I saw this from TimeFactors (they sell Smiths watches) re: tariffs for US buyers:
“We have been advised by our courier partners UPS that, as our watches are manufactured in Hong Kong (which is part of China), orders destined for the U.S.A will now be subject to a 10% import tariff from 4th February.
Also, prior to the Executive Order, U.S. customers could also import $800 worth of goods without having to pay any import charges. This $800 limit has now been removed from goods manufactured in China and charges are due on the entire invoice value.
Duty & Tariffs only apply to the watch components originating from Hong Kong, this does not include movements (which are either Swiss or Japanese) but does mean the amount payable varies between watch models.
We believe the average charges to be around 25% of total invoice value.
All Duty & Tariffs are to be paid by the customer and will not be supplemented by Time Factors.”
25% is quite a bit … I hope this is just temporary."
Quite the minefield..
Guy
Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk
Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
Whether tariffs apply to CW watches imported to the USA or elsewhere is not up to CW. What they want is irrelevant!JAFO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:47 pmAcademic, but interesting. CW surely won't want tariffs applying to their watches.Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:21 pm I saw this posted on the CWE Facebook Group, this afternoon, by a US based member from Texas. An interesting spin on the subject;-
"I saw this from TimeFactors (they sell Smiths watches) re: tariffs for US buyers:
“We have been advised by our courier partners UPS that, as our watches are manufactured in Hong Kong (which is part of China), orders destined for the U.S.A will now be subject to a 10% import tariff from 4th February.
Also, prior to the Executive Order, U.S. customers could also import $800 worth of goods without having to pay any import charges. This $800 limit has now been removed from goods manufactured in China and charges are due on the entire invoice value.
Duty & Tariffs only apply to the watch components originating from Hong Kong, this does not include movements (which are either Swiss or Japanese) but does mean the amount payable varies between watch models.
We believe the average charges to be around 25% of total invoice value.
All Duty & Tariffs are to be paid by the customer and will not be supplemented by Time Factors.”
25% is quite a bit … I hope this is just temporary."
Quite the minefield..
Guy
Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk
It is up to the country that the watch is being imported to that makes the rules.
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
Yes, I know el.presidente will decide in due course.nbg wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 9:47 pmWhether tariffs apply to CW watches imported to the USA or elsewhere is not up to CW. What they want is irrelevant!JAFO wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:47 pmAcademic, but interesting. CW surely won't want tariffs applying to their watches.Bahnstormer_vRS wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2025 8:21 pm I saw this posted on the CWE Facebook Group, this afternoon, by a US based member from Texas. An interesting spin on the subject;-
"I saw this from TimeFactors (they sell Smiths watches) re: tariffs for US buyers:
“We have been advised by our courier partners UPS that, as our watches are manufactured in Hong Kong (which is part of China), orders destined for the U.S.A will now be subject to a 10% import tariff from 4th February.
Also, prior to the Executive Order, U.S. customers could also import $800 worth of goods without having to pay any import charges. This $800 limit has now been removed from goods manufactured in China and charges are due on the entire invoice value.
Duty & Tariffs only apply to the watch components originating from Hong Kong, this does not include movements (which are either Swiss or Japanese) but does mean the amount payable varies between watch models.
We believe the average charges to be around 25% of total invoice value.
All Duty & Tariffs are to be paid by the customer and will not be supplemented by Time Factors.”
25% is quite a bit … I hope this is just temporary."
Quite the minefield..
Guy
Sent from my Galaxy S23 Ultra using Tapatalk
It is up to the country that the watch is being imported to that makes the rules.
Neil
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Re: US Buyers - de minimis rule
I wonder how it will be implemented. Will it show under the "Customs Duty" section at checkout?
So far it has not been implemented. Screen shot from Nov 15 2024 and today (with Customs Duty circled in Red).
Nov 15 2024 screen shot
Feb 7 2025 screen shot
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