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OutOfSpec

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I bought a watch from Ippo Japan via Chrono24. The watch arrived at the Cincinnati hub. There is a delivery exception. The watch valuation customs form needs to be completed. DHL is also asking for IRS information of the Importer of Record. They gave me pdfs of the watch form and the IRS acceptable proof. They say they will return the shipment if I can't get this information.

What's the best way to get the watch valuation for individual components. I've asked Ippo Japan but will they actually know the breakdown? The form also asks for the value of the battery and the type of the battery. Who knows this? It's a citizen moon phase watch with a Photovoltaic Eco-Drive H874 movement.

For the IRS info, DHL wants me to provide a scanned copy of my social security card or 1040 tax form and upload it to their website. Has anyone had to do this?
 
#2 ·
OutOfSpec said:
I bought a watch from Ippo Japan via Chrono24. The watch arrived at the Cincinnati hub. There is a delivery exception. The watch valuation customs form needs to be completed. DHL is also asking for IRS information of the Importer of Record. They gave me pdfs of the watch form and the IRS acceptable proof. They say they will return the shipment if I can't get this information.

What's the best way to get the watch valuation for individual components. I've asked Ippo Japan but will they actually know the breakdown? The form also asks for the value of the battery and the type of the battery. Who knows this? It's a citizen moon phase watch with a Photovoltaic Eco-Drive H874 movement.

For the IRS info, DHL wants me to provide a scanned copy of my social security card or 1040 tax form and upload it to their website. Has anyone had to do this?
Click to expand...
I'm surprised Ippo Japan didn't bother to do the W&C paperwork, they should know that's mandatory for US watch imports, it's amateur hour to make your customer do that.

The breakdown numbers are all made up, it's "chicken tax" nonsense, left over from protectionist laws for a US watch industry that no longer exists. The tariff codes will be different for quartz vs. mechanical, I only know the ones for mechanical watches.

I've never been asked for any tax information for any of my watch imports, including an over $3,000 Oris imported from the UK earlier this year. If it were me, I'd tell DHL to shove it if they want to see my 1040, and if they refuse delivery then send it back.
 
#3 ·
OutOfSpec said:
I bought a watch from Ippo Japan via Chrono24. The watch arrived at the Cincinnati hub. There is a delivery exception. The watch valuation customs form needs to be completed. DHL is also asking for IRS information of the Importer of Record. They gave me pdfs of the watch form and the IRS acceptable proof. They say they will return the shipment if I can't get this information.

What's the best way to get the watch valuation for individual components. I've asked Ippo Japan but will they actually know the breakdown? The form also asks for the value of the battery and the type of the battery. Who knows this? It's a citizen moon phase watch with a Photovoltaic Eco-Drive H874 movement.

For the IRS info, DHL wants me to provide a scanned copy of my social security card or 1040 tax form and upload it to their website. Has anyone had to do this?
Click to expand...
I purchased a GS from Ippo last year. FedEx sent me the same message about needing the watch valuation form, which it turns out they had all along.

I’d start by contacting Ippo. After speaking to them, they assured me their process means a watch never leaves their hands unless it’s bundled with the correct paperwork. Turns out they were right and fedex was wrong. They also sent me a copy of the filled out form for my records.

As for the IRS form… all I had to do was provide my SS and pay the import fee. No need for a 1040, which seems more than a little invasive. I’d provide the shipper with the least info possible.

Good luck.
 
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#4 ·
The rules are such that the movement is assessed at a fixed value based on the type while the strap and case are assessed based on the values provided. So it works in your advantage if most of the value goes against the movement and smaller amounts go against the case and strap. You are on your own to come up with these values and I've never known anyone to question what you provide. Not sayin' you should, but some people who are definitely not me put down 95% against the movement. Just sayin'

I've never had anyone ask for my SSN. Maybe the rules have changed, but I certainly wouldn't be giving that info out.
 
#5 · (Edited)
As above.....you can put "your own" values on it. And as suggested, give the bulk of the value to the movement. DHL is asking for your SS on behalf of US Customs & Border Protection. The only reason they ask, is so they can report it to your local tax authority and get you to pay any sales/use tax (if there is any in your state).

Note: Sales tax is collected by Chrono24 (based on your location). Even tho I supplied my SS, my state comptroller (MD) saw fit to send me a bill 4 months later, along with "late fee" charge". When I explained that Chrono24 collected the tax (and emailed a copy of the sales receipt) they dropped it.
 
#6 ·
OutOfSpec said:
For the IRS info, DHL wants me to provide a scanned copy of my social security card or 1040 tax form and upload it to their website. Has anyone had to do this?
Click to expand...
I just had to do it last week. I sent a request for clarification and exchanged emails and eventually a phone call.

If you use the 1040, you can send just the first page, with all financial information redacted and information about family members redacted. That's what I did.

There were two watches in that shipment. Both watches were under $800. But together, they were more than $800. :unsure:
So I asked if there would be a customs fee, and they told me no.

I've given up trying to figure this stuff out. Just do what they say and give them the minimum information that they are willing to accept.
 
#7 ·
DONT give them any information at all.They want a scan of your US Social Security Card...are you kidding !! Don't Don't it, it'll very possibly will end up in the wrong hands. Then way more bad things will happen.
It's just a watch. , get you money back, go somewhere else.
I WOULD GO TO THE IRS and ask them about this very odd request. Don't fall for this, don't do it!

ALWAYS Protect your identity and personal information . This makes no sense to me at all.
 
#8 ·
We don't have sales tax in OR, so that may be why it's different for me. I can't remember if DHL's web portal had a SSN field, it might've. I've absolutely never been asked for a scanned copy of my SS card though, or a 1040.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
I gave them my SSN and the top portion of my 1040 with no financial info.

Regarding the watch valuation form, this form needs a signature and the name of the person at the Exporting company? How the heck do I get that? What a mess.
 
#10 ·
The Watch Worksheet is filled out so as to determine the import fee. Your SS (or importers license) is required by Customs & Border Protection (to turn over to local tax authority) to determine if sales/use tax is due.
 
#11 ·
Tickclic said:
DONT give them any information at all.They want a scan of your US Social Security Card...are you kidding !! Don't Don't it, it'll very possibly will end up in the wrong hands. Then way more bad things will happen.
It's just a watch. , get you money back, go somewhere else.
I WOULD GO TO THE IRS and ask them about this very odd request. Don't fall for this, don't do it!

ALWAYS Protect your identity and personal information . This makes no sense to me at all.
Click to expand...
DHL is acting as a de facto proxy for CBP, and they seem to take the job more seriously than the other shipping companies.
I don't like it, but do the research and you'll see this issue popping up over all kinds of forums.

The CBP webpage that explained all this is now down:
"Why is an overseas supplier asking for my social security ..."
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-314?language=en_US
 
#12 ·
Is this a Brand New Watch or Used?
None of this makes any sense to me AT ALL!
If it was me, I would go in person to the IRS office and The Social Security office , asking them " what is this B*"
We have been told by these US Givernment agencies not to give out our highly personal info.

Let these seller importer goofballs figure the value and send it to you in the form of a bill.
Pay it with a cashiers check or money order, not your regular bank check.
You should win doing it this way.
Please be extremely cautious on this odd request!!
 
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Discussion starter · #13 ·
mumblypeg said:
The Watch Worksheet is filled out so as to determine the import fee. Your SS (or importers license) is required by Customs & Border Protection (to turn over to local tax authority) to determine if sales/use tax is due.
Click to expand...
For the Watch Worksheet, it is asking for a signature and printed name, presumably from someone at the exporting company in addition to the company name. How the heck do I get this info and their signature on this form? I reached out to the Japanese dealer...waiting for response...sigh.
 
#14 ·
Giving out confidential information sounds risky. I have never been asked to provide this, just the financial information about the watch purchase.


You might want to investigate this a bit further before giving up your SS number?

Good luck.
 
#15 ·
Tickclic said:
DONT give them any information at all.They want a scan of your US Social Security Card...are you kidding !! Don't Don't it, it'll very possibly will end up in the wrong hands. Then way more bad things will happen.
It's just a watch. , get you money back, go somewhere else.
I WOULD GO TO THE IRS and ask them about this very odd request. Don't fall for this, don't do it!

ALWAYS Protect your identity and personal information . This makes no sense to me at all.
Click to expand...
They don't ask for a picture of the actual card, just the SSN or a TIN. They will also ask you to fill out a Watch / Clock worksheet. Standard stuff to import from DHL.
 
#16 ·
Meme-Dweller said:
They don't ask for a picture of the actual card, just the SSN or a TIN.
Click to expand...
They only asked for a SSN in their email. So, after going back and forth, I sent them the number.

But then DHL called me back and said they need proof of SSN. Either the front page of the 1040 or front and back of the SS card.

Seems sketchy, but it's what CBP wants.

Maybe "Studio Underd0g" sounds like a subversive organization. Who knows? :unsure:
 
#17 ·
OutOfSpec said:
I gave them my SSN and the top portion of my 1040 with no financial info.

Regarding the watch valuation form, this form needs a signature and the name of the person at the Exporting company? How the heck do I get that? What a mess.
Click to expand...
I had this situation when a dealer from Singapore botched every aspect of their export, including failing to provide a W&C sheet. I had to contact the exporter, and they filled the sheet out, signed it, and forwarded it to DHL. You just have to wait on Ippo Japan.
 
#19 ·
DHL sucks, so much so that I won't purchase a watch if they are the only shipping option. There is a 0.0 percent chance of me giving them my social security #, and even less of a chance of them getting a personal tax form from me.

When buying from Japan, EMS/USPS is the way to go.
 
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Discussion starter · #20 ·
Davekaye90 said:
I had this situation when a dealer from Singapore botched every aspect of their export, including failing to provide a W&C sheet. I had to contact the exporter, and they filled the sheet out, signed it, and forwarded it to DHL. You just have to wait on Ippo Japan.
Click to expand...

No response from Ippo Japan watch. Chrono24 is reluctantly helpful having to be prodded by me to reach out to them and them telling me that it's not their responsibility. We'll see if anything changes.

I've seen other threads about filling out the form (which I, as the customer should not have to do), but no one mentions the signature and name of someone at the exporter company...

What a complete mess.
 
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