Reply With QuoteHow have you received the watch without paying the import bill first?
I rejected an import a while ago (after paying duty) and received a refund of duty from UK Border Force after submitting a form to HMRC.
After some advice please TZ people.
I ordered a watch from Australia on one of these kickstarter things.
It arrived almost a month ago, and a few days later I had the expected DHL bill for £50 in VAT and duty.
The watch is a bit duff*, and I've been attempting to return it, but the company (the owner of which I've been in e-mail comms with - a lot) is being rubbish, and as yet I have no idea where or how to send it back.
DHL are insisting that I have to pay the bill, and then reclaim the VAT from HMRC after I have a proof of return and receipt of return.
Is this how it works?
Seems daft to pay the VAT when I'm sending the item back and will then have to probably jump through hoops to get the money back.
I certainly won't be doing another kickstarter jobby again!
* fixed inner bezel indices don't line up, tachy is offset and misaligned, 6 o'clock plot is wonkey, 1 pusher is mega stiff.........
How have you received the watch without paying the import bill first?
I rejected an import a while ago (after paying duty) and received a refund of duty from UK Border Force after submitting a form to HMRC.
As I understand things, DHL would have settled the bill on the OP's behalf so the duty & tax has already been payed, I can see how in this case the OP can avoid settling with DHL and then seeking a refund from HMRC on the return of the watch.Originally Posted by vortgern
Have a look at: Please explain UK customs to me
...and in particular:
Ahh, thanks guys.
Yes I think DHL must pay it for me and then demand payment back to them. That explains why they were quite forceful in wanting me to pay them the money and then reclaim it from HMRC.
I've paid it now, so will have to get the watch shipped back and then reclaim from HMRC.
If they return doesn't go smoothly or I don't get my money back, then you'll all be hearing about this little company in another thread when I write a scathing review.
Did you order and pay for the watch before Sterling price went south after the referendum result? Although that was a long time ago, these kickstarter projects take orders way before any manufacturing has taken place. If so, wouldn't your refund be quite a bit less than you paid out as surely you paid is AUS $ and will get refunded in AUS $ but that won't equal as much £ sterling as it did before June 24th this year. Does that sound right?
i too ordered a watch earlier this year from Australia which wasn't expensive and although there's nothing wrong with watch mechanically, i was a bit underwhelmed although i still wore it quite often in the weeks after receiving it. if it was bought from a established UK seller i probably would have enquired about returning it. however, the hassle of communicating with the other side of the world, the claiming of Import tax back etc, the trip into town to a post office to box it up and then the red tape emails from the courier saying its stuck in its Hong Kong depot or similar and finally the negotiation regarding a refund..... Is it really worth it?
I have had a similar situation with Fedex - they have a very short timeline for paying the bill and the letters got very threatening within a short period of time the last one stating that the debt would be passed to a debt management company etc.
I duly paid but it is a little annoying.
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
Hmmmm sorry mate wish I could help you. I merely suggested buying a watch abroad and posting the box home and the moral police dug me up on here. Good luck with your watch my friend.
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Moral police?
Dug me up?
So, why not just suggest your dodge again - good move.
Yours sincerely PC Moral.
Wrong thread numbnuts...
What on earth has this got to do with the original post?
When you look long into an abyss, the abyss looks long into you.........
You're such a saintMoral police?
Dug me up?
So, why not just suggest your dodge again - good move.
Yours sincerely PC Moral.
Cheers
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You should read further back.....Finland? Beautiful country and lovely people, well the ones I've met have been, until you.
Cheers
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There's now only 14 messages in this thread. How much further back should I read numbnuts?
Last edited by EJL25; 26th September 2016 at 20:47.
That the only word you have learnt? You're never Finnish with that tone!
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You do realise I'm writing in english?
I use the word numbnuts because it seems to be quite accurate.
How is this relevant to someone who's already had the watch posted to him and wants to return it and claim back the VAT? Weird!
Excuse me, please...this is Watch Talk. Can't you take it to PMs?
No I didn't realise you were writing in English oh that's a surprise thanks for pointing that out?....
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Sorry about that. I'll stop now.
You are quite right, this person is just on here insulting members.
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Mate, you're still writing on wrong thread.
Innocent post which made no sense in THIS thread.
No need for the insult was there? I would have just suggested maybe another thread.
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Well you have said some incredibly dumb things on the tax free Rolex thread so little insult was in order imo.
I smell a ban hammer
Well done you read back the post, congratulations! In your opinion well that's your opinion and I have mine. All the best enjoy your watches, maybe see you in Finland when I'm next there!
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Probably not. You're a bit too immoral for my taste.
Yeah coz you're such a nice guy calling people numbnuts after a post. You're a top guy. See you later.
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At least the OP got what he needed. Now these two can carry on until...I smell a ban hammer
WOW just WOW.
<PEDANT>
Single wristwatches imported into the UK do not attract any Duty. (They do, of course, attract 20% VAT if imported from outside the UK).
</PEDANT>
I appreciate that you are new to the forum, but language like that is not accepted in Watch Talk, and is likely to lead to a ban from the site owner.
Besides confirming that the two squabbling contributors are unlikely to add anything positive to this forum, the OP's problem underlines the risk (and potential hassle) involved in buying from overseas.
Paul
Wow, thread took a turn! Hehe.
Back on topic, I was well aware that I'd have to pay the VAT and duty, I'd calculated it before ordering.
It's just highlighted that it's a pain to return stuff back abroad if outside the EU.
Will hopefully get it sorted soon.
Thanks for the help everyone. (Except Gav)
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