Customs when shipping watches to the UK?

[jblisse1]

Hi there everybody, I just want to start off by saying that this is my first post on this forum, so Hello! to everybody. I have only been a member for two days but just by browsing the forum and seeing some questions and answers on certain threads I can already see a bunch of people just generally trying to help other people out, which is refreshing.

Now my question is pretty simple and only really applies to people that are based in the UK and who have a history of buying rep watches.

I recently came across a watch I really liked - The AP Royal Oak Offshore Diver. Now this is out of my price range at the moment ( the cost of living in the UK and all! ;-D )
So I have decided to purchase a rep one, I have been browsing dealers websites for the past two days and found a few I like, although I haven't yet made up my mind, I do have an idea of who I will be buying from.

Now, my question was about the customs in the UK, as I have never bought a rep before and not too much stuff online from abroad at all to be quite honest, I'm not too sure on how this whole customs thing works, I have researched this thoroughly but what I really wanted was some honest accounts from people in the UK who have actually bought reps before, or if you know of anybody like this, what was your experiences like? What are the basic things I should know about when buying reps from within the UK.

All replies are of course very much appreciated and I hope to get into the game of buying reps pretty soon, because I do love a good watch.

Thanks everybody,
James.

 

[Jong]

England is probably the safest country in the EU for buying reps. Most TD's actually offer the service of shipping to the UK and then send it to it's destination (so called triangle shipping. I live in the Netherlands and TD's always recommend me doing this (some even enforce it). So no worries for you.

 

[Alex_P1]

Hi James,

Good to have you on board, my recommendation would be to promise yourself that you won't order a watch until next weekend, and spend all of this week reading up on what is available.

Any of the Trusted Dealers can get you any of the models out there, just be sure you've done you're homework and ask for the one which best suits your budget, requirements and expectations.

With regards customs, the answer is simple you don't want any involvement from them whatsoever!

In the UK it isn't illegal to buy or own counterfeit goods, however, it is against the law to sell them. If you're just buying one watch at a time, it is unlikely anyone will try to pursue the angle that you intend to supply, any more than two at a time might lead you into hot water though...

As mentioned above, UK customs are very good to the average rep buyer, in general the worst you hear is people having to pay a handling charge based on the declared value of the watch of £15 odd.

My recommendation would be either if the following:

1) Contact a couple of Dealers and find one happy to replace any watches seized by customs for free, a lot of them offer this option.
2) Go to Narikaa's section as he has stock in the UK, so has taken the risks for you. You'll often get your watch next-day from him and his communications are the best out there. His watches tend to be a bit cheaper than other dealers as his watches come from Thailand rather than China, but the quality is still excellent. Most UK guys buy from him initially.
3) Go to Supermirrors section and see what UK stock he has. He stocks Chinese watches but gets them in less frequently.

Personally, I've not had any interest from Customs so far, however, I've never shipped more than two watches at a time, have used lower profile but slower shipping methods, and haven't bought watch boxes, papers or anything else which might have looked like I was going to try to pass the watches off as genuine to an unsuspecting buyer.

good luck

 

[mrroverrover]

Yeah I'm in uk and bought quite a few with no customs issues at all. Shipping is the least of your concerns with buying a rep

 

[jblisse1]

Hi there Jong, I appreciate your reply.
Sounds good, hopefully I will have no problems with receiving my reps, was just looking for some general feedback from customers and I suppose some reassurance lol!

 

[jblisse1]

Hi Alex, again I appreciate your reply, very informative.

You got me there because I am the type to see an item I like and just buy it straight away! But I will promise myself like you said to research up on this before I go shopping.

I am going to Narikaas and Supermirrors sections to have a look at stock as we speak,

Thanks again.

PS. Mrroverrover that's the reassurance I was looking for

 

[philwongnz]

Lately there seems to be custom charges issues. Where you pay around 20 odd quid for VAT and handling charges.

That's providing that the TD marked the package as a gift and at low value @ 40 usd.

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[andyr]

Great advice here especially from Alex_P1. I'm in the UK and never had any problems so as the guys say you should be fine. But do read up as much as you can about the whole process, much more experienced guys than you and me have spent a lot of time and effort to help the rest of us out, god bless them, so heed their words. I've had some minor problems but if you stick to TDs, are polite and treat them with respect you'll be fine, and if all else fails use the mods to help. Too many guys on here start whingeing in the forums before they have gone through the correct procedure, which just makes them look stupid and ignorant. And above all BE PATIENT. Good luck!

 

[Nikoteen]

Lately there seems to be custom charges issues. Where you pay around 20 odd quid for VAT and handling charges.

That's providing that the TD marked the package as a gift and at low value @ 40 usd.

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Yep, I've had the last two watches (ordered separately) apply a "handling charge" both were declared "broken watch parts" and value $25.
They were both subject to an £8 handling charge + £4.50 something = £12.50.
So, agree that this has only happened this year, never had any such issues last year (well only once)

Forgot to mention, this is, in my opinion a small price to pay as I have ordered about 20+ watches in the last 18months and only got stung 3 times. The nature of the game, there are risks but well worth it and as the others have said UK is one of the easiest countries to get the stuff in.

 

[jblisse1]

Hey everyone, I think my whole customs "worry" had stemmed from a old "horror story" I had read on a similar forum in the past, and I had just had that stuck in my mind ever since. But I can now gladly say I haven't been put off buying, which is what I initially thought I might be, thanks to everybody's feedback.

Just want to say again I really do appreciate all the feedback guys, thank you.

 

[mech500]

Hi. Buying one at a time generally attracts no customs attention. I wouldn't worry about it mate. I've ordered over 10reps from china over the past few years and never have had a problem. Good luck


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[philwongnz]

Yep, I've had the last two watches (ordered separately) apply a "handling charge" both were declared "broken watch parts" and value $25.
They were both subject to an £8 handling charge + £4.50 something = £12.50.
So, agree that this has only happened this year, never had any such issues last year (well only once)

Forgot to mention, this is, in my opinion a small price to pay as I have ordered about 20+ watches in the last 18months and only got stung 3 times. The nature of the game, there are risks but well worth it and as the others have said UK is one of the easiest countries to get the stuff in.

I used to order 4 or 5 watches at a time with no customs duty issues as the boys at my work all like wearing pams but don't wanna spend the money on gens



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