Shipping a watch from Germany to the US for service.....should i expect customs?

[Gina Marie]

If i ship a vintage watch from Germany to the US for service....when i receive the watch back, should i expect to pay customs on the value of the watch or just the service performed?

Thanks.

[Fredrik]

Ask customs! In general when you send away or travel with stuff that you intend to bring back you fill in a temporary export form. There you state why and what will be done. When the goods come back you will in the case of a item that has been serviced, be charged with customs(if any) and VAT on the cost of the service(including shipping).

The forms are different in different countries, sometimes you need to fill in temporary import forms in the other country too not to be charged with customs and VAT there.

This is usually hassle free and very fast, customs loves when you have filled in their forms! In Sweden it is a breeze and I never had a problem.

[MorningTundra]

Ask your shipping agent for the correct reimport paperwork... DHL are pretty good with this.


Sent from my cracked, broken hand wound phone. IG @morning_tundra