Customs issues on parts sent to Germany

[repdoc3]

Hello tribe, just went through a whole ordeal sending parts for a build in Germany. Long story short the package is being sent back to me in US. Any US members care to comment? What would you recommend for the customs form? I think the issue is I put down it was for repairs and the declared value was too low (it was a gen dial, aftermarket crystal and date wheel, ETA movement), $50 declared. It was probably just a random hit but rather not go through this again. Send as gift? Any help would appreciated!

 

[Rx4Time]

The first, and largest question I have is which carrier did you use? When shipping overseas, the only carrier I have used and recommend is USPS. The others like FedEx and DHL have a much higher instance of customs issues. What was the actual reason for the rejection and return? If you declared them as generically watch parts, unless they opened the package and inspected each part, I don't see how they could justify the return.

 

[Burr77]

Anytime i send stuff overseas, i always declare it as a gift, value £10 and always wrap it in birthday paper. And always use your domestic mail service. Whether it makes a difference or not, i do not know, but every parcel i have sent has been delivered

 

[repdoc3]

The first, and largest question I have is which carrier did you use? When shipping overseas, the only carrier I have used and recommend is USPS. The others like FedEx and DHL have a much higher instance of customs issues. What was the actual reason for the rejection and return? If you declared them as generically watch parts, unless they opened the package and inspected each part, I don't see how they could justify the return.

Hi, I used USPS, listed “watch parts for repair,” declared $50. Evidently they did open the package because they told the builder that they were considering reaching out to Rolex about importing a part ?!! This is certainly not my usual experience; I’ve had success shipping to many places worldwide using USPS.

 

[ihomen]

The first, and largest question I have is which carrier did you use? When shipping overseas, the only carrier I have used and recommend is USPS. The others like FedEx and DHL have a much higher instance of customs issues. What was the actual reason for the rejection and return? If you declared them as generically watch parts, unless they opened the package and inspected each part, I don't see how they could justify the return.

I think I can confirm that FedEx Germany has been causing more trouble lately. In the past, it was pretty smooth, but in the last two months, I had two packages returned (not watches, just legal stuff from China) and two other packages stuck somewhere in the sorting center for three weeks now. I can't tell when or if they will move further.

Btw. Since the beginning of this year, FedEx employees and those of similar companies in Germany have been striking over rising salaries. They reached some agreements, but still, some local post offices are intentionally making things harder.

 

[Eric J]

In the Netherlands it is also very strict. The big post company's have strict customs in there buildings and they want parts declared as rolex parts and they use rolex parts pricelists. But my friends from a chinese DH website know this, so they use local company's without customs or little customs control. It is very difficult to order a replica or rolex parts from outside the EU, because when it comes to the border they want to cease everyting or charge you big time.

 

[Rx4Time]

Depends how it's declared as well as the shipping service. I've shipped dozens of times to the EU using USPS, always declare as watch sent for repairs, or parts for repairing my watch already in "watchsmith" possession, and a note inside describing a non existent intermittent issue to be fixed should it be opened (hasn't happened to date). Never had anything beyond the receiving party paying the VAT.

 

[Eric J]

Depends how it's declared as well as the shipping service. I've shipped dozens of times to the EU using USPS, always declare as watch sent for repairs, or parts for repairing my watch already in "watchsmith" possession, and a note inside describing a non existent intermittent issue to be fixed should it be opened (hasn't happened to date). Never had anything beyond the receiving party paying the VAT.

Smart! That is realy SMART. USPS then looks the best. I don't mind to pay some VAT but not at rolex prices.