[Liquidator]

After 15 years or so of 'collecting' Accurist watches I'm now 'into' Seiko and Citizen timepieces.

Not so long ago I bought an SKX007 from a seller in the far-east and was extremely happy with the watch, customer service etc.

I've spotted another Seiko on sale with CW that I've been after for quite a while.

I've sent them a couple of emails asking which shipping method their UK buyers prefer so I can 'follow the herd' but their response has been to inform me that tax and duties are my responsibility, which is an answer to a different question.

I think the shipping options are DHL or Royal Mail and I'd probably opt for Royal Mail.

What experiences have other UK buyers had with CW's shipping?

Thanks.

 

[OmegaSMPMan]

I have bought 2 watches from them in the past, both were sent using Royal Mail. They both arrived within a week and with no hidden tax costs.

 

[Liquidator]

I have bought 2 watches from them in the past, both were sent using Royal Mail. They both arrived within a week and with no hidden tax costs.

Cheers for that.

 

[Snaggletooth]

I used the DHL option recently. Tracking was a little sketchy and I got hit for UK tax which virtually wiped out any savings I’d made.

 

[Bradjhomes]

With either method you are liable for import VAT. Sometimes it may not get charged, but you really need to budget for it either way.

With Royal Mail, if they charge you import VAT they will typically hold it for a week in customs while they calculate what 20% is, and then send you a letter telling you how to pay.

With DHL the process is likely to be much swifter.

 

[sticky]

CW shipping is red hot then it goes into customs and they use the slowest snail they can find to let you know that there is duty to pay so if you want the watch PDQ keep an eye on the tracking and you can pay the duty before you get the letter about it.

 

[londonflash]

I think I used DHL when buying a Seiko SKX007 from them earlier in the year. Delivery was very quick. Did have to pay tax / VAT some charge(s) on the purchase but nothing I hadn't factored in and would use them again.

 

[OmegaSMPMan]

I must have been lucky then as 2 purchases with no taxes.

 

[LordBrettSinclair]

My last two watches from abroad were from Royal Mail and DHL. Got stung for tax both times.

 

[Liquidator]

All things considered I think I'll give it a miss from CW this time and wait for the UK price for the watch to fall.

For my budget, the difference between the lowest current UK price and CW's price isn't high enough esp. when factoring in the VAT and Duty risk.

Back to PriceSpy for me!

 

[cirian75]

So here are the 3 shipping methods.

Which would you use?

For avoiding tax air mail looks the best but takes 2 weeks and amuse offers zero tracking

 

[RickS72]

For years Creation grossly underdeclared the value of a watch on the customs form as well as using "measuring instrument" as the description. Consequently, most (if not all) watches coming into the UK got in tax free.

However, since earlier this year, they have been putting the correct value on customs declaration forms (don't know what happened to change their approach). Hence, regardless of which shipping method is chosen, it is now highly likely that a watch bought from Creation will incur Import VAT at 20% on the value of the watch plus shipping/insurance costs.

If you wish to have a look, there are a number of threads on the TZ-UK forum on this topic.

 

[cirian75]

so unless +20% and £14.50 RM charge is still much cheaper then UK don't bother?

 

[cirian75]

For years Creation grossly underdeclared the value of a watch on the customs form as well as using "measuring instrument" as the description. Consequently, most (if not all) watches coming into the UK got in tax free.

However, since earlier this year, they have been putting the correct value on customs declaration forms (don't know what happened to change their approach). Hence, regardless of which shipping method is chosen, it is now highly likely that a watch bought from Creation will incur Import VAT at 20% on the value of the watch plus shipping/insurance costs.

If you wish to have a look, there are a number of threads on the TZ-UK forum on this topic.

Had a look, looks like the funs days of cheap seikos from creation are over

 

[watchspecialists]

Dear Liquidator,


There are 3 shipping methods available for United Kingdom. Please refer here:


1) DHL Express Priority Shipping with Insurance (2-4 days worldwide) (Free Shipping)
2) Royal mail (Without Watch Box, No Import Taxes, 4-5 days) (€ 7.71)
3) Registered Airmail (Without Watch Box, 10-14 days worldwide) (Free Shipping)


Please note that your country may impose customs duties and levies which you will have to bear.