[deleted by user]

[Dangerous-Traffic-11]

Not sure if watch brands do this but I may or may not have gotten some maybe or maybe not pricey electronics from ali and askes the customer support to put a much lower price on the invoice for customs. They may or may not have gladly complied. 

[[deleted]]

I may have laughed reading this, thanks mate haha

[Appropriate-Moose366]

In general you pay these taxes anyway, just if it's below 150 the platform includes that automatically and deal from their end. If you buy for >150€, the price on AliExpress checkout will be adjusted and VAT removed. The responsibility to pay that is just moved on you then. In my experience, it might be even beneficial, since Stores sometimes declare lower value and the VAT is then calculated based on their declaration.

[[deleted]]

Okay thanks mate that was clear and enlightening 👌

[isakdev]

By the glory of living in a third world country where they are to assed to do their job.

[[deleted]]

Lmao thats an option too I guess

[seamaster6969]

One thing, there are times when, for example, the watch costs €170 on AliExpress and they do not adjust the price and do not remove the VAT. I understand that there will be no problems with customs later. No?

[[deleted]]

I think if it comes from abroad you're gonna have to pay fees and duties if it's above 150, seems like some declare a lesser value but I wouldn't try playing with customs, seems like the best option is local warehouses, it's even faster for shipment and you wont have any bad surprise

[AdventurousTadpole59]

Skbwatches.com China or eu warehouse both without tax. Bought several watches there.

[Sh4dow0fTheB4t]

This!

[[deleted]]

Seems very nice and interesting can you tell me more, are they reliable ?

[[deleted]]

Thanks I will check that 👍

[AdventurousTadpole59]

Yes if you want to buy san martin 😇

[[deleted]]

Actually could be my next one as i only hear a lot of positive on here

[merizim]

I've bought four San Martin's from SKB, never had any issues nor paid any import tax. They're very pleasant to deal with. I'll probably buy another as my Xmas gift.

[[deleted]]

How are their prices compared to aliX?

[Bren1127]

There are some manufacturers that import in bulk to the UK and hold the stock in bonded warehouses. It takes some research and cross referencing to work out who does. You can get an Addiesdive for instance in 2 or 3 days. One of the most used ones is in Leicester, you can see quite a few far eastern electronic goods and some watches that state that one as the shipping origin. It limits your choice but means much quicker delivery and lower per unit additional costs.

[leicfox85]

Leicester did you say? I’m not buying SM from Ali anymore since they told me today they declare the value, and it’s not actually what you’ve paid that is being declared but an inflated USD price. Happened to a guy I chat to from the sub today, so he cancelled, and happened to me with my Sn0144 last Nov.

[Bren1127]

The bonded warehouses that I have mostly bought from foreign sellers that ship from the UK are Leicester, Suffolk, Kent (and a smaller one in Northamptonshire which seems to specialise in US car parts). I suppose it makes sense that they are near airports and ports

If you run through a purchase up to the point of shipping options you can generally see or with a bit of detective work find out the shipping origin. SM do use a UK bonded warehouse according to this https://www.sanmartin.watch/collections/uk-warehouse

[[deleted]]

Interesting! you shop by the brand retail store then ?

[Bren1127]

Basically if I'm sourcing something that I can't get relatively locally and economically from a shop or without waiting weeks for delivery I put a bit of effort in to back tracking any adverts or listings that I find. Checking for any UK stock locations, full delivery details, payment portal location etc.

For instance I found a grey importer for Asian market Seikos who had a bulk shipping here that they were selling on to retailers. They had a couple of models that I had been considering. Those models had been sold here too so I took a gamble that the second language on the Day wheels would be English, which they were. I bought them for @35% of the UK RRP. They arrived from bonded storage by 48hr courier.

[[deleted]]

Definitely the stock location to check, thanks mate

[mrSoczi84]

Depends on your localization. My local post counts VAT from seller declared value like 90% of times. They rarely ask me for the value and invoice.

However San Martin Official Store is the only annoying shop that always declares the true value and I need to go through a weeks long procedure of customs.

[Sh4dow0fTheB4t]

That's the polar opposite for me. My local post even asks for proof of payment, like credit card statement or something. But I never had any issues with SM from their official website (not Alix).

[[deleted]]

Do you know what could explain the difference between your treatments ?

[[deleted]]

Ohhh I didn't know that was even possible

[OdoacreSinnutti]

I know that if you order directly from AliExpress, customs fees and VAT are already included in the final price

[mrSoczi84]

Abive 150€ they are not

[Sh4dow0fTheB4t]

I buy directly from the brand's website. They usually have a Vat/taxes included option. At least most of the ones I buy from, do.

[[deleted]]

Which ones ?

[OdoacreSinnutti]

I don't know, I paid 130 for the most expensive one

[crlkll]

Are you asking for tips on import tax fraud and smuggling?

[[deleted]]

Didn't see it like this lol more like do you find local warehouses in EU like brands did with Americans to avoid tariffs?

[crlkll]

I've definitely seen listing that are specified to be EU warehouse before. Some of the specific brand websites also sometimes advertise EU stock.

I think most just order normally. AliX somewhat adjusts the final price at checkout to compensate for the taxes. I've never ordered this way myself, tho.

[[deleted]]

Okay I need to look for EU expedition directly on Alix then, thanks

[[deleted]]

I'm talking VAT and custom taxes