Importing a Rolex into Canada

[Kel03]

I'm sure this has been asked, I'm new to the forum here. Just wondering of Canadians purchasing a watch on line having it shipped here. What's most experiences, duties paid, or taxes. Just trying to avoid any surprises prior to a purchase. Hell, the exchange rate is a killer already, but that can't be avoided. Would be bringing it in from the US. Thanks in advance for any questions.

[Crazy Canuck]

Tax and duty and brokerage fee.

Sourcing within Canada, if possible, will be less.

[CNDguy]

If it’s from a reputable dealer that does this regularly then it will go super smoothly. You’ll just pay through the nose for it.

[Kel03]

Originally Posted by Crazy Canuck

Tax and duty and brokerage fee.

Sourcing within Canada, if possible, will be less.

Searched all Rolex dealers around here, nobody has the SM I'm looking for, probably best to wait till one comes to Canada lol. I'm asking these import questions to evaluate the fees to bring it over.

[inadeje]

From which country? If its from the US, buy a cheap flight and buy the watch and wear it when returning. Send the box via usps for 20 bucks.

[ganiccus]

the lack of grey market dealers in Canada with desirable stock is quite irritating to be honest. It's either play the AD games or get fleeced by whatever this socialist government can throw at you when importing from the US or another country.

[cerendigit]

Don't do it.

[meyers]

Originally Posted by inadeje

From which country? If its from the US, buy a cheap flight and buy the watch and wear it when returning. Send the box via usps for 20 bucks.

Risky. Also illegal

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by meyers

Risky. Also illegal

Risk many have taken. Many being the keyword.

[LawMan]

it will cost you more with exchange rate , duties and taxes. If you do not declare it, then you can never safely wear the watch out of Canada again, assuming you don't get caught .

[Kel03]

Thanks all, I've had all those thoughts, you've justified them. As for not being able to where it outside Canada again, as "Lawman" indicated, bit puzzled on that one.

[offrdmania]

If you are close to the border, just have it shipped to a mail center in the US (they are all along the border) drive across and pick it up.

[LawMan]

Originally Posted by Kel03

Thanks all, I've had all those thoughts, you've justified them. As for not being able to where it outside Canada again, as "Lawman" indicated, bit puzzled on that one.

Suppose you successfully got it across the border without declaring it. Then later you wear it out of the country on vacation. When you enter Canada , Canada Customs has the right to ask you where you got the watch. Without a real bill of sale showing the watch was purchased in Canada or in case of Rolex the country code is on each warranty card and if does not say 700 , the country code for Canada, you got some explaining to do.

[alphasports]

You'll pay 5% Customs GST for the value of the watch, plus duty of usually 4% but don't take my word for the duty value, that was what I paid when importing a Seiko from Japan; Swiss country of origin may be different valuation but unlikely. This on top of the very high FX you'll get nailed by (presumably) your CC, makes it a bad deal. Note: New Rolex prices are far cheaper in Canada dollar for dollar.

[Watch129025]

Alphasports writes in part "[GST and Duty] on top of the very high FX you'll get nailed by (presumably) your CC, makes it a bad deal. Note: New Rolex prices are far cheaper in Canada dollar for dollar."

True--but where are we going to find watches in Canada?

[Maiden]

Just google Canadian Duty Calculator, it's all there.

[franktehtank]

Originally Posted by meyers

Risky. Also illegal

Yup. And CBSA WILL intercept the box and screw you! I advise highly against this.

This was posted recently, good reference for anyone considering trying to fool the CBSA: https://twitter.com/CanBorderQUE/sta...687905280?s=20

After the currency conversion and taxes/duties, buying in the US is usually unattractive price-wise for Canadians.

[meyers]

Originally Posted by franktehtank

Yup. And CBSA WILL intercept the box and screw you! I advise highly against this.

This was posted recently, good reference for anyone considering trying to fool the CBSA: https://twitter.com/CanBorderQUE/sta...687905280?s=20

After the currency conversion and taxes/duties, buying in the US is usually unattractive price-wise for Canadians.

Really good information here

And yeah, the taxes/duties can make a purchase like this cost-prohibitive to Canadians. But if you want something bad enough, you'll factor that into the overall cost. A conservative estimate would be to add 9-10% to the CAD purchase price.

[shlomom]

Originally Posted by LawMan

Suppose you successfully got it across the border without declaring it. Then later you wear it out of the country on vacation. When you enter Canada , Canada Customs has the right to ask you where you got the watch. Without a real bill of sale showing the watch was purchased in Canada or in case of Rolex the country code is on each warranty card and if does not say 700 , the country code for Canada, you got some explaining to do.

Couldn't you just say it was a gift? Have you heard of this happening?

[LawMan]

You have to pay duty and taxes on gifts over 60.00



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[goodolejr]

Originally Posted by LawMan

Suppose you successfully got it across the border without declaring it. Then later you wear it out of the country on vacation. When you enter Canada , Canada Customs has the right to ask you where you got the watch. Without a real bill of sale showing the watch was purchased in Canada or in case of Rolex the country code is on each warranty card and if does not say 700 , the country code for Canada, you got some explaining to do.

Wait. Every time a Canadian citizen returns to home from an international trip, Customs is going to ask him about the watch on his wrist?

Even if it's done on a random basis, think about how many citizens return to the country each day. This seems adminstratively burdensome.

Am I misunderstanding something here?

[LawMan]

Same questions each time Canadian returns and enters canada. How long were you gone for you and do you have anything to declare. Once you fail to declare, should they ask about your watch you are cooked


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[2nastie]

*No affiliation*

But I've dealt with Dave at Distinctive Time many times and he's a forum member here. He would be a ideal person to transact with in Canada. Really straightforward, smooth, etc. You should probably give him a shout first.

[shlomom]

Originally Posted by LawMan

You have to pay duty and taxes on gifts over 60.00



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Okay - but if I receive a watch in Canada as a gift, wear it across the border and then return you think I need to prove that duties/taxes were paid for?

[LawMan]

If it’s a Canadian watch purchased in Canada you have nothing to worry about it


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[goodolejr]

Originally Posted by LawMan

Same questions each time Canadian returns and enters canada. How long were you gone for you and do you have anything to declare. Once you fail to declare, should they ask about your watch you are cooked


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So what you're saying is that Canadian citizens should bring along either the bill of sale or warranty card each time they travel internationally?

I'm not questioning the validity of your information. I'm just curious.

This just seems remarkably burdensome. So a couple traveling must bring their watches' paperwork, and all the paperwork associated with the jewerly the woman might choose to wear for the trip?

[shlomom]

Originally Posted by LawMan

If it’s a Canadian watch purchased in Canada you have nothing to worry about it


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Right, but that's not the OPs question...Just wondering if you've heard of this happening or if this is your understanding of how the law applies?

[LawMan]

When I take my watch out of Canada I bring my warranty card in my wallet shows the country code . if they ask they ca match the serial number on the warranty card to the serial number on the watch. No issues no problems. Or I go to customs in Canada before I leave canada they will record the serial number and give me a piece of paper showing that the watch left Canada.


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[2nastie]

Originally Posted by shlomom

Okay - but if I receive a watch in Canada as a gift, wear it across the border and then return you think I need to prove that duties/taxes were paid for?

Every article of clothing you are wearing or item you are bringing home is subject to inspection if they really wanted to. Obviously it would be an extreme to challenge something like your underwear, but the border has the right to if they are suspecting you are "importing" something without declaring.

I would not recommend anyone hide a watch purchase. Definitely not worth the repercussions if you got caught.

[Quangtungnguyen]

Let's just say for conversation sake, you come back into Canada how can they prove you purchased the watch in the states if you mail the box back. Unless they go to the extreme lengths of looking at video of you going into the states. I don't think it's really normal to go on "vacation" with their bill of sale/receipt.

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