Duty Free question - buying expensive watch

malkie76

Surely you can buy it airside and have it shipped to your home address. That way you can keep it secret and not have to worry about paying import duty anywhere else.

Think about the big LCD TVs in Dixons airside - if you buy one you don't actually take it with you on the plane - this would be no different!

fifeken

malkie76 wrote: »

Surely you can buy it airside and have it shipped to your home address. That way you can keep it secret and not have to worry about paying import duty anywhere else.

Think about the big LCD TVs in Dixons airside - if you buy one you don't actually take it with you on the plane - this would be no different!

The courier company deal with the duty side of it. They won't deliver without the duty being paid.

fifeken

kimineycricket wrote: »

So what exactly is the point of duty free if you have to pay duty on it at the destination?! I don't get it!

The point is that you do get items duty free but only up to pre-determined limits, eg 200 cigarettes. I'm not sure what the monetary limit is that's being applied to your watch but the same theory applies.

photome

Have you priced the watch anywhere else

kimineycricket

Thanks y'all for the comments. So far I've only looked at places I can use my capital bonds vouchers for pricing it (http://www.capitalbonds.co.uk/Shopping/Shopping.asp) which includes the usual high st shops like Ernest Jones, Goldsmiths etc.

I'll start looking into some other options as duty-free is not looking to be as money-saving as I thought

basill

It is well worth asking for a discount in a watch shop. A pretty swish one local to me reluctantly admitted it would discount a watch rather than lose a sale to an Airport or Tax free Gran Canarian retailer.

B

kimineycricket

Thanks Basill. I'll check out a few watch shops near me and see what they can offer.

Ok this may be a stupid question...but say I buy the watch at a watch store (not duty free), will I have any problems then taking it to Australia for the wedding?? Would I still need to declare it? and if I am questioned by customs about it and produce the receipt showing VAT has been paid is this sufficient or would I need to pay anything else or any duty to Australian customs??

basill

kimineycricket wrote: »

Thanks Basill. I'll check out a few watch shops near me and see what they can offer.

Ok this may be a stupid question...but say I buy the watch at a watch store (not duty free), will I have any problems then taking it to Australia for the wedding?? Would I still need to declare it? and if I am questioned by customs about it and produce the receipt showing VAT has been paid is this sufficient or would I need to pay anything else or any duty to Australian customs??

You probably need phatbear to properly answer that one, but people travel with expensive items all the time think video cameras, laptops etc. I am sure tax is only due if an item is permanently imported.

You would be wise to take the receipt as you will no doubt carry it out wrapped and in its splendid presentation box. It might look like it had been purchased abroad to a customs man on your return...

B

glenderg

Check out what this watch would cost if you bought it in Australia.

Just my way of thinking!