RE: buying overseas

[Dr_X]

Good morning,

Has anyone recently purchased a watch from an overseas manufacture? Particularly interested in a EU manufacturer, like Steinhart or Squale? Specifically are packages held up in customs? Or do you normally have to pay duty?

Secondly has any bought a watch from Gnomon Watch?

Thanks for any insight or help.

[Perseus]

I've bought watches from Gnomon on two different occasions and it was stunning how fast the watches arrived. Anders was great to deal with and he's also the man behind Dievas watches.

I've also purchased a watch from forum sponsor Topper Jewelers. I believe it shipped via FedEx. The watch wasn't held up in customs but I did have a small brokerage fee because it was imported.

[watchvaultnyc]

I have purchased many things (not just watches) from overseas. UPS will always process customs duty.

[greg19]

I emailed Steinhart last week and they say they will send out a watch right away but getting through customs could take a few days up to a few weeks. I've never ordered from Gnomon but I heard mixed reviews about the watches that people have ordered from them. Some reviews stated that though the watch was new the bands/bracelets had some signs of wear.

[dbostedo]

I bought a Steinhart a few months ago. From the time it shipped, I think it took a couple of weeks until I had it. No real issues at all. The only thing that was a little bit of a surprise was that FedEx sent me a bill for the import duty ($27 I think). That's normal, I just didn't realize it prior to buying and importing the watch.

[John MS]

I've bought watches from Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

Were the packages held up in customs? I'm sure they passed through customs, but there was no noticeable delay.
Was duty paid? Yes, depending on the value of the watch.
An unasked question is was the duty significant? No in every case.

[smb]

Bought a precista from timefactors, Britain without problem.

[Squirrelly]

Purchased a number of times mail-order from Malaysia, Germany & Switzerland to the U.S.A. from vendors and directly from the manufacturer... Never paid any customs or experienced any delays. Not sure if it's just luck of the draw or what!

[nqviet]

Please share any website to buy. Many thanks in advance.

[Gary123]

I have bought many watches from overseas - from individuals, brick and mortar stores including ADs, and also from manufactures.

There are many variables and inconsistencies so it is hard to generalize. I have received packages anywhere from a few days to two months. As a rule, and from now on, after that two month wait, I am willing to pay more for expedited shipping. I spoke to a manager in the NY Kennedy Airport Customs facility and he said the best way to avoid delayed delivery is to have expedited shipping because Customs will try to honor that.

As to payment of Duty, everyone has an annual exemption for US duty. I forget the amount but I think it is around $2,500. Import more value than that and you pay duty on the overage. Also, typically FedEx will take over the shipment once it enters the US and they will charge a handling fee - I have paid as much as nearly $200 for their handling fee and do not know their fee schedule but it may be a % of the value imported. Furthermore, a few States charge a property tax for all items brought into their State.