Are import duties still an issue?

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DEV.Woulf
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by DEV.Woulf »

Wow. So a MkIII Trident without the bracelet is $795 while with it it's $910. I'd have to buy the bracelet separate and pay an extra $65. That does suck but it's better than paying $119... I guess! :problem:
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by Bahnstormer_vRS »

@ScofieldReturns -

My apologies to you for my initial post in this thread where I rather jumped in with both feet and was harsh with my comments.

Thank you for your update and explanation of the outcome.

I've actually had a similar experience, last year, when I bought a Visitor Duneshore from the USA. It was shipped via DHL. The expected request for payment of VAT etc. came through, but was higher than I had planned for.

I contacted DHL, discussed it with them and found that they had wrongly classified the watch applying an incorrect amount of duty. A recalculation was done and a payment, that I was happy with, was made.

Perhaps the lesson that can be learned from all this is that Customs Regulations Worldwide are complex and mistakes are made. Do your research beforehand and be prepared.

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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by H0rati0 »

This thread has turned interesting and informative.

@ScofieldReturns

Good to hear that you confronted DHL given the advice from Nordwulf and Watchaholic wrt to 4% duty. While reading this yesterday the amounts you quoted did not square so either DHL was charging a gouging clearance fee or something wrong - which niggled (OCD :oops: ) - so pleased you sorted that for my peace of mind :? Wish you joy of your new arrival.

In one of my other lives I run across cross border importation/service issues all the time and the only way to comprehensively deal with them (without going into tedious detail) is a local presence that can manage the necessary. Of course that means investment, so decisions and trade-offs have to be made but if CW are serious in their aim of growing the NA market, sooner or later they'll have to bite the bullet, but maybe that time is not quite yet.

BTW, I know it has been tried but I don't know the history of why that fizzled out.
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by H0rati0 »

Devarika Woulf wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 8:15 am Wow. So a MkIII Trident without the bracelet is $795 while with it it's $910. I'd have to buy the bracelet separate and pay an extra $65. That does suck but it's better than paying $119... I guess! :problem:
When I buy Bartons I have to buy one at a time. Buy two and the total takes one over the import limit attracting duty, VAT (19% here) and the clearance charge. Two straps for the price of three so it's better to pay two postage charges - very reasonable at a buck fifty. Extreme example maybe, but the parasites thrive everywhere.
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by Essex Paul »

ScofieldReturns wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 8:01 am
Essex Paul wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 7:51 am OP.

OK. Don’t use the $100 discount and pay $100 more, your call.
Taxes/duties/fees are a way of life. Live with it or buy from a brand within the US.
CW is still great value even with the charges.
If you don’t wanna pay up, buy a cheaper watch.
:thumbup:
I did use the voucher. You may want to read thru the topic, I already addressed everything you said and why everything you said is incorrect

Everything? Taxes import duties and fees not a way of life? Ok fair enough. :thumbup:
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by Evanspa »

ScofieldReturns wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 7:06 am
Evanspa wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 3:03 am Well I just got my watch today, USA. I was charged $119.00 by DHL
The bummer is I am not going to keep the watch.
I got the new Trident 600 Pro, I am a little bummed.
Unfortunately it wears way too big. With the size of the dial and bezel, it actually looks as big as the 44.5 MAKO XL I am trying to downsize. And its taller.
The bracelet is very nice, love the clasp and quick release. The packaging is also very nice.
The dial gets smudges and fingerprints all over it out of the blue. There is clearly something on the crystal.

Has anyone used the 60 day return? Will they actually pay for return shipping?
What about the $120.00 I had to pay customs?
interesting to see you were charged the same percentages i was. CW will cover the return shipping. AFAIK they probably wouldn't cover import duties. That's a major downside, free shipping/returns loses just about all its luster when you are stuck with a $100+ non-refundable fee. You should probably try the 38mm
I probably won't order another. It was a costly lesson. Basically I paid $120.00 to look at the watch for 10 minutes.(Fool me once)
All I had to do was not order the extra strap and I would be under the $800.00. Not CW's fault, but would have been nice to know.
The loss just adds to the experience being a negative one.
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by mvlow »

I took the liberty of emailing Mike France reference DHL charging the wrong fees. Mike has always responded to me in the past quickly and professionally whenever I have had a question. He did not disappoint this time and responded quickly to let me know he is directing his logistics people to look into the issue. I will let you know once he gets back to me with an answer.

Here is my email to him.

Screen Shot 2019-05-16 at 9.43.33 AM.png
Here is his response.

Screen Shot 2019-05-16 at 9.45.06 AM.png
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by ScofieldReturns »

Essex Paul wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 11:02 am
ScofieldReturns wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 8:01 am
Essex Paul wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 7:51 am OP.

OK. Don’t use the $100 discount and pay $100 more, your call.
Taxes/duties/fees are a way of life. Live with it or buy from a brand within the US.
CW is still great value even with the charges.
If you don’t wanna pay up, buy a cheaper watch.
:thumbup:
I did use the voucher. You may want to read thru the topic, I already addressed everything you said and why everything you said is incorrect

Everything? Taxes import duties and fees not a way of life? Ok fair enough. :thumbup:
more that it's obvious you didn't read the topic where i addressed everything you said including why the "just pay it" mentality is wrong. and that i explained explicitly that the HS code customs used is incorrect because CW didn't give them one and I had to go online and track down the correct HS code myself. the taxes/import duties can be avoided entirely if your purchase is under $800. by choosing the delivery method CW did they can be costing themselves sales. My next order may be a regular trident instead of a GMT trident just to avoid the customs threshold.
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by ScofieldReturns »

MVLOW-Thanks for the emailing Mike. I have also had to email CW customer service again because DHL asked me to fill out this form. If anyone here knows the ansers i'd sure appreciate it :lol:
customsform.PNG
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by watchaholic »

Now I am really interested in looking in the tariff book when I get back to work . That whole sheet seems ridiculous. Price paid for the item straight off the invoice should be all that is needed. As for the value of the strap and case leave them blank and just use the invoice total for the watch. This is a generic form made up by DHL, not customs and used for all clocks, watches and parts.
Time and money? I’ve spent most of mine on booze and women. The rest I just wasted…
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by ScofieldReturns »

watchaholic wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 6:14 pm Now I am really interested in looking in the tariff book when I get back to work . That whole sheet seems ridiculous. Price paid for the item straight off the invoice should be all that is needed. As for the value of the strap and case leave them blank and just use the invoice total for the watch. This is a generic form made up by DHL, not customs and used for all clocks, watches and parts.
according to the HS code i believe should be used, it's 4.2% of the case and 2% of the strap. if i leave it blank, they may just charge 4.2% of the whole thing and i'd lose a bit of money. i also don't know the cost of the movement or the exact number of jewels
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by panamavin »

Perhaps one of the most interesting threads I've read on the forum. Only thing I can add is if those who believe this isn't becoming a serious issue check sales pages for CW. Can't tell you how many times I see the seller mentioning he has already taken the shipping/customs hit so save yourself the hassle/money.(Paraphrasing) If it wasn't such a problem do you really think a majority of the listings for the later releases (post switch to DHL) would include this?
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by watchaholic »

ScofieldReturns wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 6:21 pm
watchaholic wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 6:14 pm Now I am really interested in looking in the tariff book when I get back to work . That whole sheet seems ridiculous. Price paid for the item straight off the invoice should be all that is needed. As for the value of the strap and case leave them blank and just use the invoice total for the watch. This is a generic form made up by DHL, not customs and used for all clocks, watches and parts.
according to the HS code i believe should be used, it's 4.2% of the case and 2% of the strap. if i leave it blank, they may just charge 4.2% of the whole thing and i'd lose a bit of money. i also don't know the cost of the movement or the exact number of jewels
You may be right about this and for that I apologize. I am a front line officer, and this really is an issue for an import specialist. I do know some of those people working downtown and would be happy to check. I really think we should get to the bottom of this. I think there is a break somewhere between plain watches and luxury items, which is where the value of the case comes into play, ie gold vs steel, 2-4%. However, if you were to declare this on a simple declaration such as my previous example, coming off a cruise ship, there is no breakdown like DHL is asking for. I would like to know...I might want another CW for myself!
Again, this is something that in my opinion, needs to be worked out between CW and their broker so it can be included in the up front pricing. I don't get a questioneer from the shipping line after purchasing my new Aston Martin asking for the value of the tires or engine package....Oh come on, I can dream can't I? :lol:
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by ScofieldReturns »

i get the distinct feeling CW is gonna drag their feet on replying to this email. thought about calling but don't wanna pay for the long distance....
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Re: Are import duties still an issue?

Post by mvlow »

ScofieldReturns wrote: Thu May 16, 2019 7:57 pm i get the distinct feeling CW is gonna drag their feet on replying to this email. thought about calling but don't wanna pay for the long distance....
Mike already responded promptly to my initial question, and I have no reason to believe he will drag his feet as he has always been responsive in the past. Keep in mind they are 8 hours ahead in England which means it is now 8:24pm and after business hours, so I wouldn't expect any kind of answer until at least tomorrow.
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