How much tax when bringing a watch back to USA

[Tom808]

Hi

What % does US customs impose when bringing a watch back to the US?

I plan on going overseas and buying at a duty free shop at the airport.

What happens if I dont declare it upon arrival? How will they know. I once brought a panerai and didnt declare it. Maybe just got lucky?

Thanks,

Tom

[68deluxe]

They know about it now!

[opaline460]

Originally Posted by 68deluxe

They know about it now!

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by 68deluxe

They know about it now!

My thoughts exactly

[68deluxe]

“During a baggage inspection CBP often discovers the merchandise and sometimes seizes that merchandise and issues a penalty up to the value of the article. You read that right, the law says CBP can seize and forfeit the article you failed to declare and issue a penalty equal to the value of the article they are taking from you.”

[Art 1]

Wear it in.

[~JJ]

It's right around 3.2% of the USD value. Try to get the paper work in advance since customs is clueless on how to process a watch (... they have thousands of forms) and it can take hours to process... with the doc already prepared it takes :15min.

[Abdullah71601]

Declare it, that’s the law.

You get an $800 exemption, then they apply tax on the rest. It makes a difference whether it’s SS or PM. But typically, you can expect around 3%. When I declared one a few years ago they mailed me the bill.

[Spoonage]

I believe it's $800 per person in the family traveling together... and then the remaining is taxed.

[Tom808]

Originally Posted by Art 1

Wear it in.

Even if i wear it in, does the duty free shop notate something in the system since they ask for our passport when purchasing the watch.

[~JJ]

Not sure about a notation in the system, but they will flat out ask you if have anything to declare. Why lie to a federal agent and risk loosing property over a couple hundred bucks. It's cheap peace of mind if you ask me.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Tom808

Even if i wear it in, does the duty free shop notate something in the system since they ask for our passport when purchasing the watch.

Lying to Customs Agents is the same as any other Federal Agent, a felony on your record, potential fines and jail time. Then there is the smuggling charge.

Why so many think that it's OK to just walk it through don't see the repercussions until it happens to them. Do you think that it's worth the risk?

[Sunny Arizona]

Smuggling charge? Felony? I really doubt it unless you have a record but I’d declare the items anyway especially if you have the box and papers in your possession.
It brings up an interesting question but each watch that I’ve bought from a “trusted seller” was from an overseas AD. I wonder if they were brought in above board?

Originally Posted by Tools

Lying to Customs Agents is the same as any other Federal Agent, a felony on your record, potential fines and jail time. Then there is the smuggling charge.

Why so many think that it's OK to just walk it through don't see the repercussions until it happens to them. Do you think that it's worth the risk?

[eggpro]

wear it in, ship the box home. no way to prove you bought on the trip

[RaceDoc11]

In addition to customs fees OP might get charged a state tax later on. I was told a duty free shop that they don't inform customs however, they have to use the boarding pass for the transaction.

[Quailhunter]

Play it legally and you have no worries. Try to sneak it in and get caught, you have major worries. If you can afford the watch, you can afford the tax.

[Tom808]

Thanks for all the replies.

Someone told me a while back the customs tax is 20%.
Now that i know its around 3% i will just declare it.

I searched everywhere to find the customs tax on the CBP site but cant find it. Are we sure it is around 3%.

Thanks

Tom

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Tom808

Thanks for all the replies.

Someone told me a while back the customs tax is 20%.
Now that i know its around 3% i will just declare it.

I searched everywhere to find the customs tax on the CBP site but cant find it. Are we sure it is around 3%.

Thanks

Tom

There is a table of tariffs for imported goods online (I can’t find the link at the moment). Mechanical watches range from around 3% to around 6% in the Rolex size range. The SS watches are in the 3% ballpark.

I’m not sure why people would condone or promote breaking the law, especially on a public forum. You’re much better off declaring the watch and getting right with Uncle Sam. After all, if they told you it was OK to rob a bank, would you take their advice?

[SMD]

Don’t forget that use tax return...


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[The_Watch_Clocker]

Poor Tom has zero experience doing crimes.

Wear it in with a long sleeve shirt and go about your business.

If someone asks you about your watch you look at them like they are crazy and say out loud - who buys a rolex in a foreign country? do they even sell them in "name country"? and laugh and then say no more.

I bet you show up for jury duty, dontcha?

[tclassen]

I believe it is 10% at customs

[Boaters]

Honesty is the best Policy..

[Tom808]

Originally Posted by The_Watch_Clocker

Poor Tom has zero experience doing crimes.

Wear it in with a long sleeve shirt and go about your business.

If someone asks you about your watch you look at them like they are crazy and say out loud - who buys a rolex in a foreign country? do they even sell them in "name country"? and laugh and then say no more.

I bet you show up for jury duty, dontcha?

LOL.

Btw I have never been notified to do Jury duty

[Runnin' Rebel]

My grape OP bought in Amsterdam for approximately US $3700 was about 120.00 at customs when I flew back through Philadelphia

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Sunny Arizona

Smuggling charge? Felony? I really doubt it unless you have a record but I’d declare the items anyway especially if you have the box and papers in your possession.
It brings up an interesting question but each watch that I’ve bought from a “trusted seller” was from an overseas AD. I wonder if they were brought in above board?

Yes, failure to declare is a violation of Federal Law under 19 U.S. Code § 1497 - Penalties for failure to declare

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/19/1497

Here is some info on what is required upon re-entry into the US

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/internati...toms-duty-info

The amount of duty depends on what the item(s) are and the value and composition according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)

Good luck.

[RaceDoc11]

Originally Posted by tclassen

I believe it is 10% at customs

No! it is about 3%

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=441526

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by eggpro

wear it in, ship the box home. no way to prove you bought on the trip

I believe the burden of proof to demonstrate that an item is not being imported is on the traveller, not on Customs

There’s another thread active at the moment on documentation to bring to avoid issues on re-entering the US

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by Sunny Arizona

It brings up an interesting question but each watch that I’ve bought from a “trusted seller” was from an overseas AD. I wonder if they were brought in above board?

Interesting point. Every watch I’ve purchased from sellers in the US has had a fully completed customs declaration. Also, I believe that a customs declaration is mandatory if the watch is to be insured.

The chances of getting caught under-declaring or mid-declaring a single piece is pretty low, but if your business is reliant on importing dozens of pieces smoothly and without issues, I’d guess that most would decide to play it straight....particularly when the amounts at stake are 3-6%.

there’s a thread somewhere here on a seller in the UK who made a habit of avoiding the 20% vat on importation and was finally caught, fined and jailed.

[mynameistaken]

Originally Posted by The_Watch_Clocker

Poor Tom has zero experience doing crimes.

Wear it in with a long sleeve shirt and go about your business.

If someone asks you about your watch you look at them like they are crazy and say out loud - who buys a rolex in a foreign country? do they even sell them in "name country"? and laugh and then say no more.

I bet you show up for jury duty, dontcha?

lol


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[mynameistaken]

Originally Posted by Tom808

Thanks for all the replies.



Someone told me a while back the customs tax is 20%.

Now that i know its around 3% i will just declare it.



I searched everywhere to find the customs tax on the CBP site but cant find it. Are we sure it is around 3%.



Thanks



Tom

Tom, this brings back sad memories, just so happen i was penalized last month going thru jfk. The ballpark range is about 3%.

It gets very technical, the tariff rate for the movement, the bracelet and leather strap are all different. 3% is about the range to expect, HOWEVER if you don’t declare the item, the penalty is FOUR times!!!! Yes FOUR times! A 10k watch would be 300$ is tariff but if undeclared, you’ll be penalized to pay $1200.00. Sick!!!!

In conclusion to my experience, wear the watch and use the tricks many members mention before me. lol




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