The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hello everyone,

After weeks of looking for my first luxury watch i've settled on a Breitling Super Avenger 2 with a Professional 3 bracelet and blue face. I've seen this watch advertised from discounters in the UK (Swiss Watches Direct) £3290, but cheaper from Authentic Watches in the US at £2581.

My question is, if I buy the watch from the States would I have to pay VAT and import tax when it arrives in the UK ?? If so it doesn't make it financially viable, and I could buy it from the UK around the same price.

Any help from UK buyers who've done this before would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

You'll pay 20% VAT plus import charges and the postage costs will also be taken into account when calculating the import charges. If you buy goods online from outside the EU for delivery to the UK, you'll have to pay Customs Duty (if over £120 value) and Import VAT (if over £18) on top of the purchase price (including duties), though Customs Duty is waived if the amount of the calculated duty payable is £7 or less. You can calculate the costs on this website

http://www.dutycalculator.com/country-g ... d-Kingdom/

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Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE

Thank you very much for the information, that's exactly what I was looking for.
I now know who to make my purchase with.

You're welcome, I've been stung before with those charges. Don't be tempted by offers by sellers to put a low value on the customs documents because customs do randomly open stuff to check, plus there is the danger of the item being damaged without the necessary insurance cover.

_________________
Breitling B-1 1999
Breitling Chrono Superocean 2004
Casio G Shock
Citizen Eco Drive AT4000-02E (for gardening)
Seiko 5 SNZG15J1
Hamilton X Wind LE

And recognise that neither option as an AD so you will get zero warranty.

Yes, so on that note consider paying a bit more from a UK AD, I got offered the same Watch for £3500 with a 2yr piece of mind warranty!


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In the UK at least there are quite a few outlets which source their watches in ways which preserve the full manufacturer warranty. I put this in another thread recently in terms of grey dealers being 'light grey' (AD-sourced with manufacturer warranty) and 'dark grey' (dubiously sourced, own warranty only, which as you say is no use).

I am not advocating that route: I have myself only bought Breitlings from UK ADs, for the extra peace of mind.