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What's your experience with custom import taxes?

Manray

Manray

Renowned Member
Certified
18/8/14
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I'm new here and I'm planning to buy my first replica. Usually in my country when I buy stuff on ebay with free shipping if the package is small I just receive it at home and do not have to pay any import tax. On the other hand if the package is sent through DHL, UPS or any other company I allways have to pay import taxes as they usually declare all boxes to custom.

So I have 2 questions about this. If custom open the box and they realize that the watch is a replica then I just won't receive it. If they do not realize is is a replica, they will ask for an invoice and I will have to pay about 30% import taxes, so on a US$300 watch I will have to pay US$100.

pd: I'm not planning to buy the box, only the watch.

Which has been your experience about this issue? Can you give me some advice?
 
M

mech500

Mythical Poster
6/4/12
8,253
3,594
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UK
I get the seller to declare the watch as "damaged steel watch for repairs/spare parts"

Ask them to send as gift with a low value.

If the customs declaration is complete and x-ray shows that the item matches the description then the chances of them opening the package is remote.

I get gen watches shipped in 3 separate packages (watch head, bezel assembly, bracelet and box) with a fake invoice.
 
B

Bustyouup4free

Renowned Member
1/2/14
600
43
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I have had item declared as gift to Germany with no problems. but also I have bought items from the bay that required import tax. it's really a good idea to create a fake invoice. maybe even a "legit" cover transfer.. ie. transfer money via paypal to a good buddy or friend that will return the money. that way you could get away with a lower price and not get too screwed. idk. that's my 2 cents.
 
D

d4m.test

Guest
When ordering ask the TD directly for the best shipping option because of c. to Your location. They really have a lot of experience and will know the best way.
 
S

Sultan Brunei

I'm Pretty Popular
17/11/12
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panchoskywalker said:
I'm new here and I'm planning to buy my first replica. Usually in my country when I buy stuff on ebay with free shipping if the package is small I just receive it at home and do not have to pay any import tax. On the other hand if the package is sent through DHL, UPS or any other company I allways have to pay import taxes as they usually declare all boxes to custom.

So I have 2 questions about this. If custom open the box and they realize that the watch is a replica then I just won't receive it. If they do not realize is is a replica, they will ask for an invoice and I will have to pay about 30% import taxes, so on a US$300 watch I will have to pay US$100.

pd: I'm not planning to buy the box, only the watch.

Which has been your experience about this issue? Can you give me some advice?
Click to expand...

May I know which country you reside at? Looks like the same with the way customs in my country behaves.
 
G

gmg_3

I'm Pretty Popular
11/3/14
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Have the stuff shipped from Chilean postal service. If you ship fedex/ups you will pay taxes.

i had a $4000 watch shipped insured/tracked from Eastern European country (I forget which). Got dumped into USPS once arriving and no import fees.
 
A

avoman

Horology Curious
30/11/14
16
0
0
In my experience say the goods are returning from repair. This has worked every time for me.
UPS and Fedex will always declare through customs because that is their job as specialist delivery agents. EMS or Postal service won't bother due to the shear volume of goods moving through at any given time.
EMS are the best for speed and reliability.
My friend has a genuine antique Omega Seamaster and there is no one in my country that can service it, the local agent sends this watch back to the manufacturer for it's service. It's very costly around 2K. So this type of thing does happen.
 
J

jai04

Put Some Respect On My Name
19/8/13
3,950
408
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Accidents and Emergency
I live in the Philippines and we have probably the worst customs ever when it comes to "duty taxes". Whatever your order is or declaration, they will taxed it for the amount they want. All packages sent to Metro Manila (our capital and surrounding cities) are to be picked up at customs itself where it will be checked and "taxed", specially when you are using EMS,USPS,and DHL. Sending it back is useless too because it will be "lost is transit" for sure. These so called taxes? so won't even get a printed official receipt for it, just a hand written invoice.
What I do is, I use registered mail when ordering from a TD, and I make sure I used a provincial address, far away from the cities. So it will kinda fly under their radar. From m2m, USPS did it's job as long as I used the provincial address. This is the reason I keep my reps in under $300 range because of this damn customs.
 
F

flyguyrolexlover23

Looking Around
9/12/14
2
0
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I wanted to know where I can buy a replica Rolex or ap or hublot and I live in the USA


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
S

Sultan Brunei

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jai04 said:
I live in the Philippines and we have probably the worst customs ever when it comes to "duty taxes". Whatever your order is or declaration, they will taxed it for the amount they want. All packages sent to Metro Manila (our capital and surrounding cities) are to be picked up at customs itself where it will be checked and "taxed", specially when you are using EMS,USPS,and DHL. Sending it back is useless too because it will be "lost is transit" for sure. These so called taxes? so won't even get a printed official receipt for it, just a hand written invoice.
What I do is, I use registered mail when ordering from a TD, and I make sure I used a provincial address, far away from the cities. So it will kinda fly under their radar. From m2m, USPS did it's job as long as I used the provincial address. This is the reason I keep my reps in under $300 range because of this damn customs.
Click to expand...

Lol. Same like in indonesia. They tax everything. Main purpose is for pocket money. I wonder, why are almost all asian countries like these? Except singapore, hk of course. They are already westernized. Maybe because asian are corruptive??

If you give provincial address, how do you get the item then?
 
D

Dowbs

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7/2/13
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The "watch/watch parts for repair" declaration hasn't failed me yet, but I'm in Canada and our customs aren't nearly as bad as some other places. Low value gift declaration could also work, shouldn't require an invoice because well, you don't pay for a gift.

flyguyrolexlover23 said:
I met online my friend


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Click to expand...

Try anybody in here: http://forum.replica-watch.info/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=168

My advice would be to spend some time on the forums reading up on how things work though, there's a lot of information to absorb for someone new to the hobby.
 
Manray

Manray

Renowned Member
Certified
18/8/14
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got bad news from my TD, ems can not send to my country. What else do you recommend? airmail?
 
J

jai04

Put Some Respect On My Name
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If you give provincial address, how do you get the item then?
Click to expand...
the address I'm using is where my grandparents live, our ancestral house, I go there once or twice a month, but when my watch arrives, I go there immediately :D

Low value gift declaration could also work, shouldn't require an invoice because well, you don't pay for a gift.
Click to expand...

Here, you're still taxed for a gift :) pretty nasty huh.
 
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