Is it safe to purchase watch from Overseas seller? and is it subject to Tax?

[SeaDwellerR]

Hey everyone, I have always wonder to ask this question as per the Subject.

Should be most grateful if all the experts can share their experience and knowledge.

This question is asked mainly due to my intention to buy a watch from Singapore. If i were to purchase a watch online, to be sent from Singapore to Malaysia, would it be stopped by custom?  Anyone how encounter this problem before? Please share 

I have heard story like CUSTOM stopping a parcel containing Handphone and contacted the intended receiver to pay tax before collecting the handphone.  Eventually, it wasn't worth paying the tax because the cost is even more than buying another brand new handphone here.

Thanks in advance!   

[zameenzahari]

There is no tax on watches for Malaysia-see non dutiable goods below:

http://www.customs.gov.my/index.php/en/component/content/article/96-entry-po?start=1

[tonykpk]

hi , sometimes when they send it reaches your door step, but a few times it reaches the cargo storage terminal where you need forwarders to declare n take it out although it is non taxable item.  fr ..tony.

[tonykpk]

I forgot , seadweller. Hanz n gang are  organizing a trip up mount kinabalu  , are you going? Check it out on GTG thread. fr .tony.

[tummybed]

Always pay thru paypal! That's my rule no.1. In the event of missing/stolen watch case, you can file a dispute with paypal and if you are able to produce all the relevant documents, the amount you paid will be 'reversed'/refunded to you.
Open the package in front of the courier delivery personnel. If you don't and you later discovered there is missing items, you can forget about claiming the so-called insurance.

[SeaDwellerR]

There is no tax on watches for Malaysia-see non dutiable goods below:

http://www.customs.gov.my/index.php/en/component/content/article/96-entry-po?start=1

Thanks bro!

Very useful link

[SeaDwellerR]

hi , sometimes when they send it reaches your door step, but a few times it reaches the cargo storage terminal where you need forwarders to declare n take it out although it is non taxable item.  fr ..tony.

Oh yea. What I really worried is the hassle of declaring n facing all the custom people.

Ok, I will check out the gtg. Cheers bro.

[SeaDwellerR]

Open the package in front of the courier delivery personnel.

Ok, that's something new I learned. Thanks for the tips. 

[Kevlarr]

When you are buying a watch from overseas, don't just buy the watch, but "buy" the seller as well ie select trust-worthy seller with excellent track record. I have purchased many watches from sellers in the USA, Singapore and UK, and no problems with customs at all. Be sure you use shipping with tracking, and always pay for insurance. Good luck.

[besview]

Don't use terms like "timing device" like one of my sellers.Customs would think it is a bomb and summon you to their HQ 

[SeaDwellerR]

When you are buying a watch from overseas, don't just buy the watch, but "buy" the seller as well ie select trust-worthy seller with excellent track record. I have purchased many watches from sellers in the USA, Singapore and UK, and no problems with customs at all. Be sure you use shipping with tracking, and always pay for insurance. Good luck.

Good to know that. I always thought watches in USA are too far and impossible to get...
Anyway... Thanks n very helpful of u.

[SeaDwellerR]

Don't use terms like "timing device" like one of my sellers.Customs would think it is a bomb and summon you to their HQ 

Lol... That's very unfortunate. Your seller must have difficulty in spelling "watch" that he or she used special terms like "timing device"...from hong kong maybe?

Thanks for sharing bro!

[hanz079]

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

[Godzillaz]

Only stainless steel I presume. Precious metal like gold are still taxable I think.

Regard
Tyler

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

[SeaDwellerR]

Only stainless steel I presume. Precious metal like gold are still taxable I think.

Regard
Tyler

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

Tyler could be right.

Jewelries and Diamond are both taxable too.

If the Custom deemed your blink blink watch as jewelry, it could then be subjected to tax.

[chrisyen]

Custom hold my leather box before
That time leather goods is taxable item
So my ecw watch box is fully genuine leather made

I argue it's a watch box. The watch is tax free, and the watch leather strap also free, y the box is taxable?
They let me through

Otherwise I will tell them I take the watch without the box... Or ask them to tax the box which cost a fraction in watch industry

[SeaDwellerR]

That's something new I learned, watch box better not be leather made.

Well, lucky Chris has the guts to argue with the custom people and get the whole package back. But I supposed that must be a real hassle.

Thanks for sharing Chris! 

[chrisyen]

That's something new I learned, watch box better not be leather made.

Well, lucky Chris has the guts to argue with the custom people and get the whole package back. But I supposed that must be a real hassle.

Thanks for sharing Chris! 

i been dealing with 'authorities' all the yrs... even now i m doing this everyday...

just drive to custom dept at lcct and talk politely, raise my solid argument...

they cant simply charge me, i knew where to complain...

[zameenzahari]

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

I have bought and sold watches which would require international delivery for years . So far, touch wood, it has been without any incident. A few things you can do :

i) Have it professionally packed and sealed with multiple layers and boxes- it adds a bit to the weight but international couriers charge by spectrum e.g. up to 10 kgs box etc. It helps a lot if you have a friend on site who can help you with this.

ii) Use courier service (like DHL) and make sure you get it insured for full value with ParcelPro- you need to open an account with them though

iii) Pay with credit card that offers some kind of protection in case of dispute or paypal (for paypal, never agree to pay as "gift")

iv) One of the most important bit is buy from a trusted seller (obtain independent references from sites like TZ, Purist, Paneristi, MWF etc) or in my case, usually from the boutique.

v) I will use the following description : Precision Instrument- return for repair for the airway bill.

[dpkong]

i bought a watch from the USA. the seller shipped with Fedex and labelled it as "Stainless Steel Ladies Chronometer" with a value of USD75.

Our ever illiterate "Kastam" here charged me RM95.97 under "Kod Tarif 7326.90.900" which by Google told me it was some stainless steel spacer/plate...

 

anyway, the amount was too small to argue with Fedex or to demand a refund from Kastam. Fedex won't release the parcel without paying what the brokerage dept. had already paid Kastam.

ah well...

[Enkidu]

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

Maybe the kastam fellows at Sabah work differently. I have been buying watches from abroad for many years. I always ask the vendor to describe the item as "WATCH" on the air waybill. All the watches were delivered without any issue, except on 2 occassions when the vendor described the item as something other than "WATCH":

(a) In 2002, Mr H of OITA Japan sent me a seiko, describing the item as "Horological Instrument". It got stuck at Kastam. I had to drive down to the see the Kastam at KLIA Pos Malaysia depot (LCCT was not built at that time) to clear the item. The parcel was sent via EMS Japan.

(b) In 2009, I purchased a vintage diver from HK. The seller (against my advice) described the item as "superlative chronometer" and it kena whacked an import duty of about RM 86. The parcel was sent via FEDEX.

Good luck.

best regards,
Enkidu

[besview]

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

One fine day you will be summoned to LCCT like I had,.You think those flers can comprehend those terms?Since then I almost always request my sellers to describe as "broken watch for repair/parts" and have never looked back since.Smooth sailing all the way and I buy up to 5 watches a month fron mainly the US

[SeaDwellerR]

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

One fine day you will be summoned to LCCT like I had,.You think those flers can comprehend those terms?Since then I almost always request my sellers to describe as "broken watch for repair/parts" and have never looked back since.Smooth sailing all the way and I buy up to 5 watches a month fron mainly the US

Thanks for the advice Besview bro. "broken watch for repair/parts" thats very helpful. People and custom would not want a broken watch. But are we effectively telling lies when the watch isn't broken?

[SeaDwellerR]

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

Thanks for the advice bro.

[SeaDwellerR]

To avoid theft, i always use terms like "professional timing device" or "time keeping mechanism".... Personally, i would avoid using "watch" as it will raise the awareness of thieves.
And regarding taxes, always have you watches insured and declared to the actual amount as watches are tax free in Malaysia.

I have bought and sold watches which would require international delivery for years . So far, touch wood, it has been without any incident. A few things you can do :

i) Have it professionally packed and sealed with multiple layers and boxes- it adds a bit to the weight but international couriers charge by spectrum e.g. up to 10 kgs box etc. It helps a lot if you have a friend on site who can help you with this.

ii) Use courier service (like DHL) and make sure you get it insured for full value with ParcelPro- you need to open an account with them though


iii) Pay with credit card that offers some kind of protection in case of dispute or paypal (for paypal, never agree to pay as "gift")

iv) One of the most important bit is buy from a trusted seller (obtain independent references from sites like TZ, Purist, Paneristi, MWF etc) or in my case, usually from the boutique.

v) I will use the following description : Precision Instrument- return for repair for the airway bill.

Thanks for sharing bro ZZ.

By the way, congrats on ur 339. U are really lucky man!