Importing a Rolex into Canada

[Kel03]

I'm sure this has been asked, I'm new to the forum here. Just wondering of Canadians purchasing a watch on line having it shipped here. What's most experiences, duties paid, or taxes. Just trying to avoid any surprises prior to a purchase. Hell, the exchange rate is a killer already, but that can't be avoided. Would be bringing it in from the US. Thanks in advance for any questions.

[Crazy Canuck]

Tax and duty and brokerage fee.

Sourcing within Canada, if possible, will be less.

[Kel03]

Originally Posted by Crazy Canuck

Tax and duty and brokerage fee.

Sourcing within Canada, if possible, will be less.

Searched all Rolex dealers around here, nobody has the SM I'm looking for, probably best to wait till one comes to Canada lol. I'm asking these import questions to evaluate the fees to bring it over.

[CNDguy]

If it’s from a reputable dealer that does this regularly then it will go super smoothly. You’ll just pay through the nose for it.

[inadeje]

From which country? If its from the US, buy a cheap flight and buy the watch and wear it when returning. Send the box via usps for 20 bucks.

[meyers]

Originally Posted by inadeje

From which country? If its from the US, buy a cheap flight and buy the watch and wear it when returning. Send the box via usps for 20 bucks.

Risky. Also illegal

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by meyers

Risky. Also illegal

Risk many have taken. Many being the keyword.

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by meyers

Risky. Also illegal

Yup. And CBSA WILL intercept the box and screw you! I advise highly against this.

This was posted recently, good reference for anyone considering trying to fool the CBSA: https://twitter.com/CanBorderQUE/sta...687905280?s=20

After the currency conversion and taxes/duties, buying in the US is usually unattractive price-wise for Canadians.

[meyers]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

Yup. And CBSA WILL intercept the box and screw you! I advise highly against this.

This was posted recently, good reference for anyone considering trying to fool the CBSA: https://twitter.com/CanBorderQUE/sta...687905280?s=20

After the currency conversion and taxes/duties, buying in the US is usually unattractive price-wise for Canadians.

Really good information here

And yeah, the taxes/duties can make a purchase like this cost-prohibitive to Canadians. But if you want something bad enough, you'll factor that into the overall cost. A conservative estimate would be to add 9-10% to the CAD purchase price.

[Theoffice]

Lol intercepting a box , they can’t prove anything and would never try

Originally Posted by franktehtank

Yup. And CBSA WILL intercept the box and screw you! I advise highly against this.

This was posted recently, good reference for anyone considering trying to fool the CBSA: https://twitter.com/CanBorderQUE/sta...687905280?s=20

After the currency conversion and taxes/duties, buying in the US is usually unattractive price-wise for Canadians.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Theoffice

Lol intercepting a box , they can’t prove anything and would never try

Customs don’t have to prove anything.

It’s their job to be inquisitive, and your job to prove that you have paid the correct tax/duties.

[jaisonline]

Yep. Or drive. Not overly complicated.

Originally Posted by inadeje

From which country? If its from the US, buy a cheap flight and buy the watch and wear it when returning. Send the box via usps for 20 bucks.

[ganiccus]

the lack of grey market dealers in Canada with desirable stock is quite irritating to be honest. It's either play the AD games or get fleeced by whatever this socialist government can throw at you when importing from the US or another country.

[cerendigit]

Don't do it.

[OnlySkillz]

What if you have LIVED in the US and purchased Rolexes which are yours?

I have lived there and brought back a full UHaul of furniture/personal items back into the US. A friend did the same. No one looked at the items, and we were through with virtually zero questions. It included a few watches I have purchased in the US.

Is someone supposed to pay duties / taxes on each of the 500 items in that truck?

[LawMan]

it will cost you more with exchange rate , duties and taxes. If you do not declare it, then you can never safely wear the watch out of Canada again, assuming you don't get caught .

[Claven2]

Originally Posted by LawMan

it will cost you more with exchange rate , duties and taxes. If you do not declare it, then you can never safely wear the watch out of Canada again, assuming you don't get caught .

Lol...

Have you ever had a border guard check what watch you have on, or try to cross reference its serial number in some database to see if it is a native canadian rolex?

I haven't. Not on any luxury watch I've worn over the border. That said, I have never worn one to illegally import it, but I easily could have.

[Miura Mario]

Originally Posted by Claven2

Lol...

Have you ever had a border guard check what watch you have on, or try to cross reference its serial number in some database to see if it is a native canadian rolex?

I haven't. Not on any luxury watch I've worn over the border. That said, I have never worn one to illegally import it, but I easily could have.

Ive been asked before - went like nice watch is that new - I responded thanks and no ive had it a fee years. Smiled and that was it.

[Kel03]

Thanks all, I've had all those thoughts, you've justified them. As for not being able to where it outside Canada again, as "Lawman" indicated, bit puzzled on that one.

[LawMan]

Originally Posted by Kel03

Thanks all, I've had all those thoughts, you've justified them. As for not being able to where it outside Canada again, as "Lawman" indicated, bit puzzled on that one.

Suppose you successfully got it across the border without declaring it. Then later you wear it out of the country on vacation. When you enter Canada , Canada Customs has the right to ask you where you got the watch. Without a real bill of sale showing the watch was purchased in Canada or in case of Rolex the country code is on each warranty card and if does not say 700 , the country code for Canada, you got some explaining to do.

[shlomom]

Originally Posted by LawMan

Suppose you successfully got it across the border without declaring it. Then later you wear it out of the country on vacation. When you enter Canada , Canada Customs has the right to ask you where you got the watch. Without a real bill of sale showing the watch was purchased in Canada or in case of Rolex the country code is on each warranty card and if does not say 700 , the country code for Canada, you got some explaining to do.

Couldn't you just say it was a gift? Have you heard of this happening?

[goodolejr]

Originally Posted by LawMan

Suppose you successfully got it across the border without declaring it. Then later you wear it out of the country on vacation. When you enter Canada , Canada Customs has the right to ask you where you got the watch. Without a real bill of sale showing the watch was purchased in Canada or in case of Rolex the country code is on each warranty card and if does not say 700 , the country code for Canada, you got some explaining to do.

Wait. Every time a Canadian citizen returns to home from an international trip, Customs is going to ask him about the watch on his wrist?

Even if it's done on a random basis, think about how many citizens return to the country each day. This seems adminstratively burdensome.

Am I misunderstanding something here?

[Rolexallday]

Originally Posted by LawMan

Suppose you successfully got it across the border without declaring it. Then later you wear it out of the country on vacation. When you enter Canada , Canada Customs has the right to ask you where you got the watch. Without a real bill of sale showing the watch was purchased in Canada or in case of Rolex the country code is on each warranty card and if does not say 700 , the country code for Canada, you got some explaining to do.

The one I got is from the US and guy did wear it across and not declare it,,,,,how do I avoid issues with it I got it from him here in Canada? My other sub guy got from cayman island and didn't declare,,,,will I have issues???

[Rolexallday]

Originally Posted by Rolexallday

The one I got is from the US and guy did wear it across and not declare it,,,,,how do I avoid issues with it I got it from him here in Canada? My other sub guy got from cayman island and didn't declare,,,,will I have issues???

How do I show proof of purchase with a Kijiji purchase?

[2nastie]

Originally Posted by Rolexallday

How do I show proof of purchase with a Kijiji purchase?

You can't. Simple as that.

But I suggest you read through the thread first and my post above responding to your post.

Register your watch (with the serial number located on your watch) with the border agency. They'll give you a form, fill it out, they'll mark down the serial, sign off, give you a little green card and send you off on your way. They might ask you where you bought it and simply tell the truth that you bought it secondhand/pre-owned locally. They won't ask anymore.

You don't need to bring the box, receipt, or warranty card. You have the serial number on your watch already. It's already in Canada and they will rarely challenge you if you are already trying to register it with them.

Every time you leave the country with your watch, just bring that small piece of paper or have a picture of it. The piece of paper is no bigger than your passport.

E.g. from google. It looks like this: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAAdAAAAABAD

You can get these forms usually at an airport or another government office in your city. Just google search it.

[Miura Mario]

Originally Posted by Rolexallday

How do I show proof of purchase with a Kijiji purchase?

You would have record of correspondance with the individual - agreed upon sum etc.. i.e message, emails, texts

[offrdmania]

If you are close to the border, just have it shipped to a mail center in the US (they are all along the border) drive across and pick it up.

[alphasports]

You'll pay 5% Customs GST for the value of the watch, plus duty of usually 4% but don't take my word for the duty value, that was what I paid when importing a Seiko from Japan; Swiss country of origin may be different valuation but unlikely. This on top of the very high FX you'll get nailed by (presumably) your CC, makes it a bad deal. Note: New Rolex prices are far cheaper in Canada dollar for dollar.

[Watch129025]

Alphasports writes in part "[GST and Duty] on top of the very high FX you'll get nailed by (presumably) your CC, makes it a bad deal. Note: New Rolex prices are far cheaper in Canada dollar for dollar."

True--but where are we going to find watches in Canada?

[alphasports]

Originally Posted by Watch129025

Alphasports writes in part "[GST and Duty] on top of the very high FX you'll get nailed by (presumably) your CC, makes it a bad deal. Note: New Rolex prices are far cheaper in Canada dollar for dollar."

True--but where are we going to find watches in Canada?

Where are you going to find watches anywhere? If you're looking grey in CAN go to canwatchco.ca