I know this won't be everyone's cup of tea but a new arrival this week. Really pleased with it. Feels like a special watch.
The Yacht Master II is a marmite watch. I like the contrasting blue & white bezel/dial and timer is certainly interestingIt didn't feel as painful as I traded my Sea Dweller 50 in against it so wasn't a huge jump as they are going for overs and this was below RRP.
There is no duty due, only VAT for a watch like this. Unless you're importing bulk, duty will not be due (it is technically due, but is not collected until over a certain value, and the value is very, very low per watch, so will only be reached when you import lots of the things).I've used both Creation (once, i think) and Skywatches (3 times, i think) before and not had a problem with either - I've also used Sakurawatches too, as another option.
Just remember you're likely to be hit with import tax & duty, so factor that into the cost (plus approx tenner "handling fee")... - assume 24% for worse case? I think the first couple watches slipped through without tax, but they've been far more vigilent in the recent few years.
how is there no duty?There is no duty due, only VAT for a watch like this. Unless you're importing bulk, duty will not be due (it is technically due, but is not collected until over a certain value, and the value is very, very low per watch, so will only be reached when you import lots of the things).
So yes to the 20% on both the value and shipping cost, as well as the handling fees which seem to vary with the winds.
Well, the watch is worth less than £135 isn't it... you've said it yourself!how is there no duty?
according to gov site: https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty
watch duty is 4.5% for goods over £135 or gifts above £630 (2.5% for gifts between £135 and £630).
(4.5% is from https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/headings/9101?currency=EUR&day=18&month=1&year=2020 )
So, if it's (fraudulenty) marked as a gift then it should be 2.5%, otherwise 4.5%. The only way I can see there being no duty, is for its value to be under £135.
how is there no duty?
according to gov site: https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad/tax-and-duty
watch duty is 4.5% for goods over £135 or gifts above £630 (2.5% for gifts between £135 and £630).
(4.5% is from https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/headings/9101?currency=EUR&day=18&month=1&year=2020 )
So, if it's (fraudulenty) marked as a gift then it should be 2.5%, otherwise 4.5%. The only way I can see there being no duty, is for its value to be under £135.
That is correct in this instance, yes. But even if it was worth more, no duties would be collected.Well, the watch is worth less than £135 isn't it... you've said it yourself!
how weird... Thanks for the link and insight. Nice to see a proper answer instead of the usual "ask them to mark it as a gift with a lower value"No fraud involved. You need to delve a little deeper into how duty is applied than use the generic .gov statement (if it was as simple as the very brief summary you noted, it would be putting a lot of people of a job!).
The relevant section is here as it's an automatic winding watch: https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/commodities/9102210000#import
I hope that goes some way to indicate just how huge an area of detail importing goods is. That is the section solely for watches with automatic winding!
how weird... Thanks for the link and insight. Nice to see a proper answer instead of the usual "ask them to mark it as a gift with a lower value"