Buying from Japan

[paul staines]

Hi I have been looking for an Omega 2232-30-00 for a while now. Not many for sale. I have seen a couple in America but will not buy again due to the import tax.
I have seen one in particular on the chrono 24 site for £2049.00 .this is well within what I am prepared to pay but feel unsure about buying from Japan.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Cheers Paul.

[reggie747]

Import tax will still apply from a Japanese bought item of course...

[Ironmonk3y]

There are also stories about customs holding onto watches for ages and then returning to the seller. Mainly US customers though. Make sure you pay with a credit card to be on the safe side.

[Kingstepper]

Bought good few watches from Japan, customs delay no different from anywhere else (and why should they be - maybe they’re misdescribed?).

[garyfisher]

I am not sure how it is in the UK, but here in EU () the custom duty is not the worst one. You have to pay the VAT, which kills the deal.

[paul staines]

I am not sure how it is in the UK, but here in EU () the custom duty is not the worst one. You have to pay the VAT, which kills the deal.

Yes killed it stone dead.
Thanks

[paul staines]

There are also stories about customs holding onto watches for ages and then returning to the seller. Mainly US customers though. Make sure you pay with a credit card to be on the safe side.

Thanks for info.

[paul staines]

Bought good few watches from Japan, customs delay no different from anywhere else (and why should they be - maybe they’re misdescribed?).

Hi did you have to pay 20% vat ?
Regards Paul

[paul staines]

There are also stories about customs holding onto watches for ages and then returning to the seller. Mainly US customers though. Make sure you pay with a credit card to be on the safe side.

If I do go ahead I will pay on card .
Many thanks Paul

[paul staines]

Import tax will still apply from a Japanese bought item of course...

Hi have been informed it's 20& . Kills the deal.

[paul staines]

Do want this watch but not in a hurry. One will pop up for sale in the U.K sooner or later.
Regards Paul.

[reggie747]

Hi have been informed it's 20& . Kills the deal.

You are aware that since you're personally importing the watch into the UK thus like 99.9% of anything imported, it's subject to VAT at prevailing rates.

[Monkey Queen]

Does the sale price include the Japanese equivalent of VAT / sales tax?

If so, as the store is exporting it, they may be able to sell it ex-sales tax.

I don't profess to know what % Jap sales tax is, but if it's similar to UK sales tax, then deducting Jap tax at export and adding UK tax at import, may balance each other out.

Or am I talking nonsense?

[JimbobIJones]

Does the sale price include the Japanese equivalent of VAT / sales tax?

If so, as the store is exporting it, they may be able to sell it ex-sales tax.

I don't profess to know what % Jap sales tax is, but if it's similar to UK sales tax, then deducting Jap tax at export and adding UK tax at import, may balance each other out.

Or am I talking nonsense?

Japanese sales tax (they don't call it VAT for some reason) is super low. I think its under 10% at the moment. We pay 20% in the UK. So I don't know much you can save.

When I visited Japan, they automatically deduct the tax for tourists at the bigger shops. I assume if you buy online, it is up to whether or not the seller can/wants to sort out the tax for you.

[paul staines]

Does the sale price include the Japanese equivalent of VAT / sales tax?

If so, as the store is exporting it, they may be able to sell it ex-sales tax.

I don't profess to know what % Jap sales tax is, but if it's similar to UK sales tax, then deducting Jap tax at export and adding UK tax at import, may balance each other out.

Or am I talking nonsense?

The watch is on chrono 24 and is at a very acceptable price so I am still tempted to buy.
Will advise.
PAUL

[paul staines]

Does the sale price include the Japanese equivalent of VAT / sales tax?

If so, as the store is exporting it, they may be able to sell it ex-sales tax.

I don't profess to know what % Jap sales tax is, but if it's similar to UK sales tax, then deducting Jap tax at export and adding UK tax at import, may balance each other out.

Or am I talking nonsense?

I have bought this watch of the chrono 24 site. Still not sure of the tax implications but I will be sure to let everyone know.
Thank you all for your input
PAUL

[wadebridge59]

Could be of interest to some. You can buy from Japan using Global Rakuten, the good news is that every now and then (once a month/6 weeks) Ebates offers a 20% cashback. It's sent to your Paypal account in USD.

[paul staines]

I have bought this watch of the chrono 24 site. Still not sure of the tax implications but I will be sure to let everyone know.
Thank you all for your input
PAUL

Now the fun starts. Package held at customs in Japan .

[reggie747]

Now the fun starts. Package held at customs in Japan .

Good heavens man, you only ordered the damn thing yesterday. Give it a chance !

[PickleB]

Now the fun starts. Package held at customs in Japan .

That shouldn't take too long, then it may have to wait a little for a flight. Once it hits UK customs expect a wait...link.

If you have a tracking number ending in JP, this may, or may not, be translated into a GB reference.

Which site are you using to track the shipment? Whichever it is, give https://en.trackitonline.ru/ a try as well.

I've a couple of packages (batteries that most won't put on aircraft) coming from China. RM tracking now tells me both are 'Leaving overseas'. In addition that Russian site gives me the dates that they were 'Handed over to Airline/Transporter'. But snail mail is faster.

[paul staines]

Good heavens man, you only ordered the damn thing yesterday. Give it a chance !

I know. And it’s still not here !

[paul staines]

That shouldn't take too long, then it may have to wait a little for a flight. Once it hits UK customs expect a wait...link.

If you have a tracking number ending in JP, this may, or may not, be translated into a GB reference.

Which site are you using to track the shipment? Whichever it is, give https://en.trackitonline.ru/ a try as well.

I've a couple of packages (batteries that most won't put on aircraft) coming from China. RM tracking now tells me both are 'Leaving overseas'. In addition that Russian site gives me the dates that they were 'Handed over to Airline/Transporter'. But snail mail is faster.

Yes it does end in JP. It has left customs and on its way. Thanks Paul

[paul staines]

Well that did not take long . Now how much will I be charged.
Regards Paul Staines

[Reeny]

Probably the same as a USA import.
There are online calculators you can use before committing to the sale.

I bought some motorbike spares because they were cheap.
$65 goods, plus $35 international postage = $100
Import duty (vat) was charged on both the goods plus postage costs. Add on the handling fees and the grand total was $138, or £105 in real money.

So I ended up paying £105 for a £50 camshaft.

[reggie747]

Well that did not take long . Now how much will I be charged.
Regards Paul Staines

20% of the cost paid plus a tenner or so for Parcelfarce to bring it to you.

[PickleB]

Well that did not take long . Now how much will I be charged.
Regards Paul Staines

It sounds as though it'll be delivered by ParcelForce rather than Royal Mail. Have they given you a 'GB' reference yet (PF track & trace)?

Once it has cleared UK customs you should be able to pay on-line (link), as mentioned above, or by phone (03 448 004 466).

[PickleB]

...I've a couple of packages (batteries that most won't put on aircraft) coming from China. RM tracking now tells me both are 'Leaving overseas'. In addition that Russian site gives me the dates that they were 'Handed over to Airline/Transporter'. But snail mail is faster.

I expect that it'll be several days, maybe a week, before the OP's watch clears customs. Meanwhile, one of my packages has arrived at and passed through HWDC. Here is what real snail mail looks like:

Thursday 15 November
01:05am Item has left our International Processing Centre
Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre, United Kingdom

Wednesday 14 November
11:13pm Item Received...United Kingdom

Sunday 30 September
04:43am Item Leaving overseas...URUMQI

Wednesday 26 September
02:55am Item received at...China

Notice the lack of any mention of October.

[paul staines]

It sounds as though it'll be delivered by ParcelForce rather than Royal Mail. Have they given you a 'GB' reference yet (PF track & trace)?

Once it has cleared UK customs you should be able to pay on-line (link), as mentioned above, or by phone (03 448 004 466).

Many thanks.