Do not import a watch until you see this! Watch and Learn #78 

When a business owner is sincere and does his best to be honest and up front, that business and owner deserve success. All the best Marc.

Level of scrutiny by US authorities, apparently: 3. Multi billion real estate deals 2. Shooting a man 1. Importing real croc-straps

I bought my skx007 from longislandwatch and I live in South America. I paid 20% import taxes + shipping. I don’t really cared because I really wanted to pay the extra cash to help Marc and his business. I will definitely buy a new watch from him when traveling to the US next time. I appreciate his videos and the customer service is amazing!

I thought it was difficult to import stuff to Europe, but this is another level of madness. Thank you for the explanation.

And that’s why I only buy watches through Long Island Watch. 😇

Finally someone actually spoke about the Cities Treaty. This is a huge issue. I spent years as a exotic animal breeder. Cities is a huge subject. Crocodile straps send up red flags, some stingray straps are another. While they may not be endangered they are on the treaties list in some obscure country.

Thanks Marc, for the "even handed" assessment of this process. "Your word", is more than good enough, for me. As always, All the Best ! ;-)

Great informative video, Marc. I enjoy every single second with my Damasko DS30 I got a couple of weeks ago from you. You are the best!

Excellent video Mark. You have reinforced my current practice of not purchasing any watches from Watch Companies located East of Long Island Watch! Seriously, very informative and useful information. Thanks for taking the time to put together this video. Moral of the story: Buy from your trusted dealer in Long Island Watch. If you choose to deviate from this advice, don’t have anything shipped from overseas via USPS.

Really good topic & something many enthousiastes should know, I believe most will consider buying a watch from overseas and just don’t know, thanks for the tips!

This was a very informative video. It contains information anyone ordering a watch from overseas needs to know. Nice job!

I’m working on purchasing a watch from Japan right now (Tudor Prince Oysterdate if you’re curious) and this video was so immensely helpful. Thank you!

And once again I watch and learn so much I never knew. Thank you Marc.

My heart just skipped a beat Marc. Just bought an Islander yesterday from europe and I thought this video was going to be all bad news for me 😂

Hi Marc, First, I must commend you on the Islander ISL-67 that I recently bought. It's an excellent variation and improvement on the theme and a beautiful design, kudos to Ryan! I appreciate your presentation on watch importation, as I'm a licensed customs broker. I cleared hundreds of shipments of watches when I used to work in the WTC downtown. I'm glad that you mentioned both trademark and CITES restrictions. These can wreak havoc on the unknowing watch importer of high end watches. I remember cutting the gold buckles off a shipment of Cayman skin watch straps for an importer that were denied admission by CBP...AND they had a CITES certificate. Caveat emptor to the importer of watches.

Congrats on picking that topic. Haven seen anyone else speak about it in dept and a lot of people are going through that

This was excellent info! I’ve always wondered how this worked.

Hugely helpful -- many thanks, Marc. Have already been through the exemption route and informal entry, with the help of DHS. It's good to know the parameters and process.

Very good and informative video. I learned this the hard way when I ordered a Yema last year off the website. Receive a 10% discount off retail at the time, but ended up paying more than that in duty and fees to get it through customs. DHL sent me that form and then Yema filled it out for me.

Great video, very educational! The timing was perfect, I am waiting for my promaster tough “Ray Mears” from UK.

As always, great content that actually helps us be smarter consumers-thank you. I had hoped you’d’ve finished the math on your $80K Squale shipment example. That too, would enlighten us as why quality costs what it does.

Thank you Marc for the watch import lesson. Who could have guessed how convoluted it could be.

Super interesting and educational. Really enjoyed this video! Thank you!!! Love your vibes, videos and watches/store.

Hi Marc, wow that’s definitely a learning curve many thanks for all your input. Looking forward to the next video on this mine field.

Such.......an important post. I’ve been burned as I didn’t know the pitfalls.

Thank you so much for this information. I was going crazy trying to figure out this process.

I'm so glad I watched this again. Something from Japan popped up on eBay, and I was toying with ordering it. Seemed okay, but I forgot completely about the CITES thing, and damn, the thing comes on a crocodile strap. Thank you for saving me from a whole huge headache. And I probably shouldn't spend the money anyway.

Can’t wait for that other way around video, when you import stuff to EU and they hit you with 25% VAT on top of all other customs and handling fees. You guys in US are really lucky. Great video and I learned something new today. Thank you.

This was great information. Thank you for sharing!

I preordered a watch from Japan for release in June. $330. I went through a proxy buying service. The brand is Bluesun. From one Long Islander to another; Thanks friend for the information. 🙏🏻

So crazy that you post this today. I was ready to pull the trigger on a 1963 from the UK last night and ended up buying from you instead. Yes I paid a little more but I like you and your channel and didn't want any potential hassle by buying overseas.

Excellent video, and very helpful. I just went through this last week. I ordered a watch from Germany through Chrono24. It got pulled, I had to complete the watch worksheet (how much is the case worth versus the movement? Who knows). I sent it in and it got rejected because it was in USD, and the seller had reported it in Euros.. so back to the drawing board. I lost a week in total, but DHL was good. They pay the duty and send you an email with a link to reimburse them online. If you don't pay within five days, they send the watch back. The moral of the story for me personally was: buy from an AD in the U.S if at all possible and avoid the hassle.

Man, there’s a lot involved when you import things for sale here. Thanks for putting this together!

For your future video: I just received your Islander #66 over here in the UK. I had to pay 20% UK VAT and 2% customs duty, about £50, which is pretty much exactly what I expected and still makes the watch great value.

Thanks Marc! I'll be honest - I didn't need to pay attention past the $800 personal exemption. I guess I'm just too cheap!

Another great video! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

I swear I could listen to Mark talking all day

That’s a horror story that I don’t want to be involved in!!! Thanks for the information, Mark!!!

Marc!, I just went through this exact process! you video is a few days late, lol. Im based in Australia and sold and sent a vintage Omega watch to a gentlemen in Philadelphia. I used DHL and sent insured to the value of $7000 AUD ($5340 USD). DHL were great, but no one explained the need for watch breakdown sheet ... so it got stopped in customs when arriving in US. I read up online and a few sites (e.g. theluxurywel) which seemed to advise that the movement attracts the least duties and charges. So I listed as Swiss, Automatic, 25 jewel, Steel ... and on the value breakdown I attributed around $4600 USD to the movement, $500 USD to the case, $100 to bracelet and remainder on accessories (e.g. calf and nato straps), seems plausible ;-) The buyer/importer received the watch today (after delay in customs) and advised they ended up paying around $85 USD, which is what I was hoping for and seems reasonable given the watch value. SO ... either I got lucky, or it would seem leaning the majority of the value breakdown to the movement is indeed a good way to minimize the costs (at least for a steel automatic swiss watch). Worked out ok in the end, but Ill leave it to you to do the importing Marc ;-)

Awesome content. I live in Europe and buy watches from here and still I found it interesting. Can't wait for the next one...the one when you explain how to import watches from the US ;) Cheers

Good to know that formal entry brokerage can be handled by DHL/FedEx/UPS. This is extremely helpful and explains a lot, thanks Marc!

Appreciate the honesty and information.

Good information Marc. Thanks.

I order classic car parts from the UK and sometimes a part will be listed under the wrong tariff code and I'll get a watch worksheet from DHL. I get it corrected and have never dealt with watch imports but always wondered why those specifically were such a big hassle. Thank you for the explanation. Importing can be so daunting.

Thanks for this video as I'd wondered about costs of importing a watch to the US. I spent nearly an hour reading the codes applying to watches and my head is spinning. Lots of minute legalize!

This is why I like engineers and scientists. At their core, they are driven by facts and logics. You get quality from them (Toyota, Honda, old Mercedes too name a few). Thanks for being straight with your viewers and customers

Fantastic video. Great information.

You just saved me a ton of money and headache. Thanks!

Thanks Mark. Your making me rethink if I want to buy a Steinberg oc1gmt Batman.

Very informative, thank you!

That, Mark, was a fabulous video. Nowhere is that info laid out so clearly.

One of my more recent purchases was a G shock that's difficult to find. I used a japanese auction broker site who charged the appropriate fees and DHL shipping and handled all the process. I did have to fill out information regarding the case movement strap etc and total price. I would not have done this if it was available at the same price in U.S. or ebay etc. But it was not a large hassle as the overall value was not even close to the $800 exemption.

Really good watch and learn! The hidden fees for importing a watch can really add up

Thanks Marc you so good for enlightening us about the process, if you could do one for exports from the US , I have no idea how the tariffs are applied to the UK and if I knew it would help me buy from overseas as the UK retailers have pretty conservative supplies. Thanks Adrian

Patiently awaiting your video on how your shipping to Canada works, and pitfalls to avoid? I'd like to run a Marathon. : )

Fantastic info!! Thanks.

Great video. I just imported 3k Grand Seiko quartz from Japan to US with DHL and paid about 10% total fees and duty.

I think I will let you do the importing and just buy it from you. Thanks Marc!

Very informative Marc 👏. Funny thing, I purchased a Casio G-Shock GA-2100-1AER or better known as the Casioak. From an Ebay seller in Spain. $130 total which is not bad for the white dial version. Thankfully the seller mailed it via DHL. It cleared processing in Los Angeles .. I hope it's ready to be delivered soon. Estimated delivery was today, by end of day. I hope it's real and not fake also lol. So... I was thinking of purchasing the Seiko MarineMaster 200m Special Edition. The green is so amazing.. well the watch is over 1k. So that means, it's over the 800 threshold of what's considered, "duty free". I would get stuck paying some custom fees?

What a great video, needed this when I was looking at a sarb033 overseas lol.

I've been considering buying a Stowa from Germany and had no idea what to expect from CBP. Thanks for going over the basics. I know now to be extra cautious during the process.

very informative, thanks for the great information. proof that import duties are dependent upon who processes them: i just purchased an omega speedmaster tokyo 2020 olympics from japan that was shipped via ups to the united states. since it was pretty expensive (907,000 japanese yen), i was prepared to pay several hundred dollars for the import duties. i was only charged $128 in duties and $12 brokerage fee from ups. huge sigh of relief

love the series man

Super helpful, thanks

Great info. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing my friend! 🙂👍🏻

Dude this was super helpful! I'd visit if you had a store

Very informative as usual

Cool video. Fully agree on your advice!

I imported my snk809k2 a few years ago and I still own it. The funny thing is that it was a mistake purchase because after paying for it, I realised that I wanted the blue one. Still love the black dial in my possession though

This is pretty eye opening

9:22 one of my highschool teachers used to count the same way and ends up with the same reaction when he realizes 3 is next lmao. Thank you for doing the video, Marc. I'm not a US resident, but that makes me think twice before using an intermediary US address for international items that doesn't ship to Saudi Arabia. For what it's worth, the import tax/duty in Saudi Arabia is a flat 15% of the watch's value.

Thank you very helpful.

I bought a Tag from Japan on Ebay and it came by way of DHL. I had to pay $100 to DHL to receive it once it came stateside. I wish I saw this video before I bought the watch because I had know idea about the tax. Love the watch ⌚

Great video! Now I'm curious about what cbp looks like if you do all this in-person (let's say you take a happy vacation to paris and decide to buy and wear home a new cartier). Looking forward to the next video breakdown

Why do I suddenly have an image in my head of CBP guys (and gals) sitting around drinking seized high end alcohol, seized cigars and wearing seized Omega and Rolex watches???

Very interesting. Thank you.

Great video, again like others have said, I could have used this video a few weeks ago! I bought a christopherward over $800, and was much later notified by DHL that I had to fill out the parts value? What a pain, that's the last time I buy a CW from overseas. In fairness CW was helpful, but since DHL was holding it for a week. I ended up paying 200~ on a 1100 watch. Marc we need you to be the US AD for CW!

Will look forward to the video on importing to the U.K.

My comment applies more to the next video (importing from the US to elsewhere), but I’ll make it here anyway. I’m an American living in Brazil and bought an Islander ISL-54 (LOVE THIS WATCH) with the bracelet (shipped FedEx). The taxes and whatnot cost me more than the watch price itself, by quite a bit. Which was painful, but only made me grumpy for 1 day because I love the watch so much. It did steer me to purchase my Phoibos direct from the manufacturer as I paid $0 in taxes (and free shipping), not sure how that works, but Brazil is odd.

Thanks for this information. I knew about the 800 dollar max purchase before they make you pay fees but I had no idea of all the other fees that can go along with it. I guess it is best to buy within our own countries.

I had to go through formal entry for a $1000 watch coming from France. Other than having to cough up around extra 80 bucks, the process was smooth and trouble free because the watch shipped via DHL and they did all the work.

Hi Mark, interesting topic, very useful information to address from your part, it would help a lot, just try to explain it a bit more clear. But thanks for taking the effort in doing so.

I remember ordering a watch 1 day before everything closed, about a year ago now from here. It went in a van from airport to airport for 3 months lol..... bad timing. Also, i have something underway that is on the ship that was stuck in the Suez canal..... i should stop importing LOL Good vid, taxes can be a real bummer as well.

wow i never even knew this. i am waiting on a watch from Russia and its going to be less than $400 so it should be fine but it should be on a handmade cow leather strap and i was almost concerned while watching this video. thanks so much

I bought a Speedmaster from Chrono24 that was on Japan. The seller was a well reviewed & based in Tokyo. Watch came though DHL, I had to pay $118 Customs fee on 2k Watch. The watch is in beautiful condition. I am happy. All I had to do was file a declaration of value through DHL.

I had a Christopher Ward sent from London and was all happy because they weren’t charging shipping...well CBP happily ripped me for duties on movement strap and jewels and DHL was happy to charge a brokerage fee. Last Chris Ward I buy direct 🤷🏽‍♂️ greeat video Mark, wish I knew this before. Live and learn

Thank you for the great info! It is a slightly different issue but when buying and a watch in Europe you have to do your VAT refund on your way out, which has all your info including your flight etc . A lot of people just carry watches through but because of this, I declared a watch and whatever else we bought on vacation. I got lucky, the customs officer was nice, laughed at my bad joke, looked at the form, stamped it and I was off. Have you ever gone through this in person rather than shipping? It was confusing because it seemed like you could get charged the customs fees you described in the video and if entering your home state, possibly sales tax as well?

Thanks for this, I have been looking at the Japanese watch market because it’s a little less but I see that it’s not worth it unless it’s a g-shock

Really great informative video. Also, just for info, I imported a $1,000 Christopher Ward via DHL, and was charged $76 via Informal Entry, no broker charge from DHL. It was really easy, and only took 7 days, door to door - DHL provided info every step of the way.

Re: Croc straps, etc...I purchased an inexpensive, NOS Chalet branded dress watch from the late 60s or early 70s because I just loved the way it looked. Imagine my surprise when I opened the package and found that the strap was labeled "Genuine African Elephant." Threw me for a loop, and now I always feel like I have contraband sitting in my watchbox!

Hello Marc, if your info sounds a little it's because it is. I have purchased two pre-owned watches from Japan. The first purchase was a doosy because the process was unexpected by me. The first purchased I was contacted by DHL and told that my watch was on hold in the states. DHL informed me that I needed to declare the cost of my watch. Little did I know that the cost had to be broken down to three parts, the movement, body and bracelet separately totaling the price of the watch. I reached out to DHL and they assisted me because the watch was in the system to long so they informed me that after a certain date I would also be required to pay storage fees. By this time I was so frustrated that I was about to walk away from the whole mess and lose my purchase price. Fortunately all worked out for me. Yes, dealing with an imported watch can be a mess. Thank you for your valuable info for those brave soles who decide to purchase overseas.

Can't wait for the export to europe video!

Looking forward to the video explaining import to the EU from the US. I can tell you it is a hassle not worth the effort, and why there is not an Islander on my wrist. I recently paid 70EUR (customs, tax and handling fee) for a 90EUR strap from Australia, 97EUR for a 230EUR a watch from Singapore, 180EUR for a 360EUR watch from Hong Kong, you get the point. These were all pre-orders and arrived before I could cancel. Part of this amount is the handling fee by the shipper chosen by the seller. I get that the US is a large enough market for most brands to thrive, but I don't understand why US sellers advertise on social media for EU target audiences and don't find local distributors for their products, also considering that most products come from Asian countries in the first place. From now on, EU distributors or no buy, even if it means not purchasing the great products US brands develop.

Marc, thanks 🙏

Marc describes the business of the business. My wife is small business owner and LLC. Trust me, keeping a business successfully running is 7 x 24 x 365. Not to mention the fact that many (including myself) prefer to give the business to fellow Americans and keep the business within the US.

very informative!

I bought a watch for over $2500 from the U.K. via FedEx last year, so had to go through formal entry. But fairly simple as you said when working with FedEx. Had to fill out a couple of forms, indicating as you say value of the movement, case, and strap; material of the strap/band; any precious metal. Then FedEx figures out the duty and billed me which in my case was about 4% - which is less than my state's sales tax. Also I heard that the U.K. no longer credits you VAT on exports - but I'm not sure.

When DHL or FedEx asks me to fill out a watch work sheet I always make the movement at least 75% or more because that’s always a super low fixed rate, whereas the case and strap/ bracelet are a percentage.

Thanks been wanting a JDM : Seiko Diver