Importing an Islander to the UK
A quick question to all my UK friends. I'm considering buying an Islander and I'm wondering about import tax, as I'm sure it will get loaded with it, I can work out the vat and exchange rate, and I'm sure it will get taxed as well(I think the limit is about £180 and anything above attracts duty),think the watch and vat will run to just over £400. So any info will be great,I've had many straps from the states and not had any excess duty as yet, but with a watch I'm sure I'll get stung, many thanks.
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Rob
Love dive watches,practical,stylish and sometimes beautiful. In my collection seikos, a couple of longines and an alpina
North of England
Member since
Last active: 3 hrs ago
7.25” / 18.42 cm
I am pretty sure that VAT is calculated at checkout with Islander watches. You are correct in assuming that you will also have to pay import duties. I think that will be a percentage of everything paid, The watch + VAT + Postage
I am pretty sure that VAT is calculated at checkout with Islander watches. You are correct in assuming that you will also have to pay import duties. I think that will be a percentage of everything paid, The watch + VAT + Postage
Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
I think Marc was doing a deal where he covered half of VAT by covering it with a discount for UK customers.
Thinking (for a while) about getting an Islander, hopefully a UK person has abought one and can roughly fill us in and what the duties were, checked the link and says 2.5% which seems a bit cheap if I am reading it correctly.
Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Thanks just waded through it,and it turns out (if I've done it right) it's just vat at 20%, so thankyou
Thinking (for a while) about getting an Islander, hopefully a UK person has abought one and can roughly fill us in and what the duties were, checked the link and says 2.5% which seems a bit cheap if I am reading it correctly.
I've just followed "Stroud_Green" link to hmrc and if I've done it correctly it says watches attract no duty just vat,so that's 20% on top of the price.
I think Marc was doing a deal where he covered half of VAT by covering it with a discount for UK customers.
Thanks I'll check it out, if it's just vat it's OK, but I know certain things attract additional duty which can bang the cost up loads ie clothes.
Thanks I'll check it out, if it's just vat it's OK, but I know certain things attract additional duty which can bang the cost up loads ie clothes.
It’s the kind of thing a lot of us would like to know I suspect. I do know it’s something he brought up in a video.
I think Marc was doing a deal where he covered half of VAT by covering it with a discount for UK customers.
He was but it got withdrawn because the customs and post office didn't seem to be able to talk to each other and it didn't work.
I have bought 6 from Marc in the last 12 months. And it's very hit or miss with the duty. As 3 have attracted duty and 3 haven't. Think it depends on who the end carrier is. If it's the Royal mail then they will hold the parcel until you pay the duty. If it's DPD or DHL then they seem to sneak through.
The most I have paid is about 80 quid for my wife's Brookville Hi beat Which cost 385 dollars I think.
Marc has told me if he can come to an understanding with the customs people he may reinstate the prepaid customs deal he tried before Christmas.
I highly recommend buying from Long Island watch's.
When I’ve bought before (from Europe) I’m pretty sure it was 20% for Vat and 2.7% for duty.
I have bought 6 from Marc in the last 12 months. And it's very hit or miss with the duty. As 3 have attracted duty and 3 haven't. Think it depends on who the end carrier is. If it's the Royal mail then they will hold the parcel until you pay the duty. If it's DPD or DHL then they seem to sneak through.
The most I have paid is about 80 quid for my wife's Brookville Hi beat Which cost 385 dollars I think.
Marc has told me if he can come to an understanding with the customs people he may reinstate the prepaid customs deal he tried before Christmas.
I highly recommend buying from Long Island watch's.
Thanks for the information, I might drop Islander a message.
I'm lovin the look of some of those watches Marc is doing, ...one day🙄
Thanks for the information, I might drop Islander a message.
He is really good and I found him to be really responsive to questions.