Do NOT provide that sort of information. What you are describing is most likely phishing.

 

In this case it isn't. OP can call DHL directly and verify that they do in fact need it.

Thank the good ole' watch chicken tax to protect a US watch industry that hasn't existed for 50 years.

 

It's needed for tax purposes. Anything over $800 trips a customs duty threshold. States with sales/use taxes are also requiring that they be notified of imports so that they can charge use tax accordingly.

 

SSN too?

 

I bought a watch via Chrono24 from Hong Kong. DHL requested the info too. An alternative would be to get EIN. I talked to DHL and they said they delete the info after “a short duration” and don’t keep it on their server forever. Take that for what it’s worth.

 

can I ask if you did use a ssn and uploaded a supporting document? If so, how did you do the uploIoad? I don’t have a business so no ein.

 

I recently received a new watch direct from the manufacturer in Switzerland via DHL to the US and was not dinged for duty ($2,250 value). However, last year with the same situation and a value of around $3,300, I did have to pay DHL (~$91) and I’m pretty sure they needed my SS#. However, I made sure it was all kosher by checking the actual email address and then calling DHL. I don’t recall uploading a supporting document but that was a year ago and something I don’t have a need to remember, so I’ve forgotten.

At this point there aren’t any good alternatives, unless you can get a refund by refusing the shipment. But then you don’t have the watch. DHL seems to be the most common shipper for watches into the US.

 

Fedex asked me for this info last year. I called them directly, explained that I'm not a watch importer, and that any info they need, to get from the shipper. That was enough, and the watch was delivered.

Thankfully it didn't come to this, but I would have refused shipment rather than share that info with them.

Perhaps call DHL, and hope to find a sympathetic ear?

 

If you're uncomfortable providing this information, you can try contacting DHL directly to confirm the request and ask if there are any alternative methods for verification.

 

Just did this for a zenith coming from Japan. Just used a screen shot of the top of my last tax return. Yup, ssn is on it. Oh well.

 

I see the tinfoil hat brigade has checked in to this thread. While I’m not suggesting you volunteer your SSN to anyone who might ask for it, providing tax info is part of the process in a transaction like this.

 

To confirm again, for tax purposes any watch import that is over $2500 USD in value coming into the United States requires additional information, including your SSN. People need to realize and understand that these shipping companies like FedEx and DHL are not just handling the shipping of the watch as the courier, but they are the literal customs brokers handling the process with CBP to get your package cleared. This is not phishing, this is not a scam, this is the importation process.

 

My experience is there's no consistency when inporting a watch from a manufacturer. No experience here having a watch shipped to me from a Swiss based manufacturer, but have done so from Germany a handful of times, and also from Singapore, and have received international shipments across three different shippers (UPS, FedEx and DHL). All were over $1K transactions. On a few I got dinged for import duty fees, others not. Never have I been asked to provide a SSN, a copy of any personal document, or to complete any online forms to provide personal info. If I remember correctly once I had to complete an online form to verify address and to confirm I was not importing the item as part of a business. I am totoally ignorant on what the actual laws or procedures are, but, me personally, I would be EXTREMELY reluctant providing my SSN to a shipping company, and even more so to provide an actual copy of my personal tax documents, passport, or SSN card. As others have recommended, would contact DHL. I wonder if how the shipper prepares the documents on their end when they prepare the shipment makes a difference, also if you have an account setup with the shipping company helps streamline things (I have personal accounts setup with FedEx and UPS, but not DHL).

 

Is that a new regulation? I last imported a watch in 2022 and they just wanted a credit card number. I never had to prove my identity, just paid the tax.

 

This is a big part of why I never purchase big ticket items overseas. There are good deals to be had from places like Japan but once I factor in the cost of import duties the savings isn't worth it anymore. I have to dole out my SSN - maybe the item is not as described requiring a return and loss of further monies such as import fees and shipping. If I can't find what I want for a reasonable price here in the US I'm out (<$800 excluded).

 

^^^this. I don’t deal With of of country purchases.

 

.... aaaaa, don't buy?

 

+1.

I was thinking the exact same thing...

 

This kind of hassle is why I don’t buy from overseas if the cost is over the threshold limit. It’s sucked at times because there have been a few watches I’d have liked to have had.

 

Learned something today. At first I suspected a scam but it appears that the request for the SSN is legit.

 

This is why I try not to deal internationally. But even some American companies may want it on higher priced watches. Because of all the scams going on around the world companies are trying to protect themselves from scammers, and of course Uncle Sam wants their money.

 

I have not had any issues with international buyer, but I will admit that when I do it, I grit my teeth and bit and hope for the best outcome.

So far so good, but I have read the horror stories here, so I consider myself lucky......

 

Yep, I bought my last watch over 800 from abroad a few monts ago and will never do it again because of this tax situation, which will only get worse with our beloved gubement burying itself deeper and deeper into the debt hole....

 

I wouldn't give my ssn. Consult with your tax person.

 

This is interesting:

https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-my/logistics-advice/import-export-advice/All-You-Need-to-Know-About-US-Import-Tax-and-Duties

Regards, BG

 

I ordered a Bel Canto from CW and got dinged for $93 duty. DHL invoiced me directly. Then I ordered a Compressor and extra strap for about $2k with sales tax. I got the watch with no duty. The $85 strap was shipped separately a few days later and is hung up in customs with the DHL site saying "The clearance process will continue once the additional details are provided for clearance." They haven't asked me for any details or $. I emailed CW but have not heard from them. I don't understand this. If they want now to bill me duty on the watch, I won't. I'm not gonna pay for an $85 strap when I already have the watch with no duty assessed. They can keep the strap or send it back to CW. I realize duty/tariffs are in flux but I'm done ordering from overseas. There are enough choices.

 

Was the strap leather?

 

No it is "Aquaflex Rubber"

 

I just received the "Watch/Clock Worksheet" from DHL. I completed it just for the rubber strap as I already have the watch. I suspect the form is really for the watch and the extra strap, but I listed only the strap on the form. If I list the watch for which I paid $1,675 + tax, I suspect I'd get billed for duty on the watch as well. If they release the strap, great. If not...........I posit that if the duty is >$85 I am ahead now. If the duty is <$85 I'd be ok.

I thought CW would have done the form, as they did with the Bel Canto.

At this point I don't care anymore either way. Just seems to be a running theme these days: No one can do anything right.

 

I thought CW would have done the form, as they did with the Bel Canto.

CW probably did fill out the worksheet and DHL probably "lost" it, which they have a long track record of doing.

 

Probably true. I'm going to let lying dogs sleep. I tend to buy a lot of straps liking variety but they usually sit unworn.

 

At this point, with monthly "security breach" letters that I receive, SSN for most US residents are out there already IMHO.
Monitor your credit, secure it via freezing it or require notification for credit on your all 3 bureau records.
Call whoever the entity that are requesting Fedex/DHL/UPS, directly via # you get from THEIR website - not the first entry on Google as it CAN be manipulated and verify that they indeed requested it.

Look at it this way, if someone wanted SSN, anyone in your doctor's office have it, anyone who has access to your cell phone account has it, etc.
Heck, you trust your SSN with your car dealers and they are as scummy as they get.