The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Can anybody tell me how much it costs to import a Breitling Evolution of 4500 US$ in to the United States? The watch is being send via postal service from the Netherlands?

Regards

I dont know about the Netherlands, but I bought a watch from the UK and I didnt have to pay anything extra to get it.

Curious though, is this Evo something special? $4500 USD is kinda high for a regular Evo.

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Unfortunately, that is a hideously complex question. In general, you get the first $800 free (I think...am pretty sure you get this for shipped objects), then the next $1000 is charged a flat rate of 3%, then the remainder is charged the duty applicable for the specific item which depends on all the following:

- The country of origin
- If mechanical, how many jewels in the movement*
- If electronic, whether the watch incorporates an "opti-electronic display" (e.g. LCD)
- Whether any precious metals are used, and if so whether is it plated or solid
- The bracelet/strap material (bracelets/straps are taxed at a different rate than the watch)

If you have a few spare hours, you can attempt to use the "Harmonized Tariff Schedule" to determine the exact duty: http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm. The relevant piece is Section XVIII, Chapter 91 (this chapter covers only clocks and watches and is 36 pages long). Your tariff will be listed in Column 1 "General" unless the item is coming from one of the trade agreements reached Column 1 "Special". No countries in Europe have applicable trade agreements, however. Column 2 applies only to Cuba and North Korea (Rule #1: Do not buy a watch in Cuba or North Korea).

For further instructions on how to interpret the data in Chapter 91, see General Note 3 here: http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/tata/hts/bychapter/0901gntoc.htm.

Make sure to have a very detailed description of the watch on the customs declaration form.

Mofongo

*Just to make life more fun, the "mechanical" category is further subdivided into:

- 0 to 1 jewel
- 2 to 7 jewels
- 8 to 17 jewels
- over 17 jewels

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It's a two tone evo with blue dial and gold subdials and two tone pilot bracelet. The watch is complete with box and papers and is from May 2008.

Is this a good deal for 4500 US$ or not?

As I live in the netherlands I feel compelled to comment on this subject.

I was looking into buying a diamond bezel from outside of the EU. in order to import into the netherlands It turned out that I would have to pay import tax and VAT totaling at 21.7%. Not to mention the fact that customs would have to inspect and pass the shipment.
Just the idea of dealing with these hassels made me decide to pass on it.

I have now found a distributer in the EU and dont have to worry about all of the international customs, taxes and etc....

Seeing that prices tend to be cheaper in the states, I would skip this one and buy within the USA. Is the watch a special addition??? There are pleanty of great deals to be had in every country!!!
success,
pete

Keep in mind that a U.S. resident would most likely not have to pay the Netherlands VAT. For most states, the U.S. duty on importing the watch will also probably be comparable to or less than to the local sales tax (although sales tax can easily be avoided by purchasing out of state).

Mofongo

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." --Dave Barry