Buying a watch abroad
Hello Everyone!
I am looking for a piece of advice if anyone here has knowledge or personal experience of buying/bringing home a watch from abroad.
In the beginning of November, I am going to visit my sister in Belgium, during my stay, I would like to visit a watch store in Antwerp with the high possibility of buying my long-desired Hamilton Khaki Field Murph 38mm on the spot. I’ve contacted the story already, they have this model in stock.
My only worry is customs duty, VAT or any kind of import related taxes on the airport. Surely both Hungary and Belgium are in the EU, but since I have zero experience on buying and bringing home something above 200 EUR, I have my concerns. I tried to search for answers on the internet, unfortunately I have not found any relevant information for this particular situation yet. Most of the articles cover the situation of the EU vs. Non-EU scenario, which does not fall under my current case.
The main and only reason of purchasing a watch outside Hungary is plain and simple: there is none available at official retailers in my country and I do not want to commit the mistake of not trying the watch on before the purchase being made.
Thank You for help, feedback and comment in advance!
Best Wishes,
László
Hi, inside EU there is no issue with VAT as you will not be charged with anything. If not EU, that is different story - you buy without VAT and should declare upon arrival to Hungary. I never declared anything, I just wore new watch and that is it.
If you go to Belgium and buy the watch there, you do not have to pay anything else besides the price in the store.
Hello! First of all, congratulations in advance. Its a wonderful watch and I hope you wear it for years to come in good health.
Customs can be a pain.... It does tend to be on all our minds.
However, I can assure you, I have travelled to many countries, including the UK, US and EU countries and they are never concerned with my watches. I always have one on my wrist and another one in my carry on. These watches were well over whats actually 'allowed' without declaring.
The only time I ever had to explain anything was when I had 4 watches with me in my watch roll. I just explained that these were personal watches and they let me go without paying.
My advice to you would he just wear the watch and pack the box in your carry on or luggage. Don't worry about it. I definitely wouldn't. Even if its in your bag, I don't think they'll ever say anything about it.
The wonders of the single market and the customs union make it so you can buy in Belgium and take home to Hungary without having to pay any extras, as far as trade is concerned it's the same place as both within the EU.
Hi Laszlo,
Firstly - super cool watch! I saw one at a dealers the other day, it's a lovely piece.
I specialise in EU Customs legislation, and can confirm that you do not need to declare or balance VAT for purchases like this when travelling within the 27 EU Member States. It's a key benefit for Europeans of the single market and customs union.
The Europa website (from the EU Commission) is an excellent source of info on customs and taxation and aims to break down some of the complex legislation into laypeople's terms.
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/vat/index_en.htm#:~:text=%D0%94%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%B0%20%D0%84%D0%A1%20%D0%A3%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%97%D0%BD%D1%96-,Pay%20VAT%20in%20the%20country%20where%20you%20shop,or%20making%20a%20customs%20declaration.
You could well save a little by hand carrying this watch home, due to the 21% VAT rate in BE vs 27% in HU (though I'm not sure if the rrps are different too).