sgtguk Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Just reading through some threads on the other boards re this, I'm going to be moving back to the UK later this year from Oz, my collection is a little over 20 watches with a mix of 50:50 Gens/reps. Tbh I am in the middle of making up a carry on case today and the wife pipes in a comment about customs, bringing me here to ask your advice! Reading the threads it seems checked in baggage is a better option than carry on but it scares the crap out of me putting that much faith in the system not to have my collection lifted by someone! Has anyone moved to Uk or flown in with that many pieces at the same time with carry on? I've paid the Gst on the gens this end already so I'm hoping Vat won't be an issue but people like us do move our collections so they must be covered somewhere by customs guidelines I would assume?Any thoughts/experience would be greatly appreciated guys cheers....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougar1 Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Hi sgt, there was a big thread on this on rwi recently, also one on here I think. I'll dig em up if I see the threads.... Always a bit concerning, moving hard to find watches between countries. Personally I haven't done it but would also be wary about leaving large amounts in checked luggage, too many quick fingered guys in the system. Maybe best to spread it out, post a few before leaving, wear one, missus wear another, a couple then in each carry on, then others in checked luggage and maybe have friends or relatives over in Oz post the last few on later. I'm sure many have done it and would have more precise info. You moving back to the crazy weather in the UK, that's even more frightening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccam26 Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Curious here too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Hi stg, there was a big thread on this on rwi recently, also one on here I think. I'll dig em up if I see the threads.... Always a bit concerning, moving hard to find watches between countries. Personally I haven't done it but would also be wary about leaving large amounts in checked luggage, too many quick fingered guys in the system. Maybe best to spread it out, post a few before leaving, wear one, missus wear another, a couple then in each carry on, then others in checked luggage and maybe have friends or relatives over in Oz post the last few on later. I'm sure many have done it and would have more precise info. You moving back to the crazy weather in the UK, that's even more frightening I know must be mad certainly not moving back for the weather mate ! I have read a few threads on the other boards but no one really able to clarify properly, just hope someone has done it with the amount I have and share the experience with me! Thanks for the advice mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masmannan Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Checked in luggage, make sure they're well protected. It's not illegal to own counterfeit goods in UK (I think).Masmannan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijnp Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Well, this is a good question. I've got no idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Checked in luggage, make sure they're well protected. It's not illegal to own counterfeit goods in UK (I think). Masmannan Pretty sure its not but just a worry that I'll get charged duty of some sort for bringing them in Well, this is a good question. I've got no idea It's not one that comes up very often mate is it let's see what the guys come up with ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSTEEL Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 I have experience in this, and can confirm, checked in luggage you will be fine, just make sure you really pack them well, and spaced around deep inside your case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted June 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 I have experience in this, and can confirm, checked in luggage you will be fine, just make sure you really pack them well, and spaced around deep inside your case. Cheers mate exactly what I needed to hear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielv2000 Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 I would not check-in the watches. I would carry on 3-4 each between you and your wife. You have kids, carry on more. Assuming you each have 2 on the wrist, put the extra 2 in her purse and your extra 2 in your carry-on. So, that's 8 on your person. The gens, for sure. For the balance, I would ship them. Are you shipping furniture or other big items? If yes, just stuff them in there. If not,FedEx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 I would contact UK customs & ask them (tell them all the watches are gens). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 You will be liable for import tax into the EU, if you get caught and for Carry on they will be seen as all Cary on will be X-ray also if you and partner are all carrying 4 watches a piece then if I was customs I would be suspicious, the reps I would send with any furniture you may be shipping, the most expensive of the gens I would wear, the next most expensive would be carry on and the rest in checked luggage, if you get stopped on the way in by customs and find all the gens then as I say you may well be liable for import duty to the EU 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panerai153 Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 Freddy has the best idea of all, get in touch with UK customs and ask them, there may be some paperwork that you need to fill out and listing the watches, serial numbers, date purchased, where purchased and the price. If you have proof that you paid the VAT in either Australia or the UK, that would be helpful. I'm sure there is a method, the guys who travel all over the world to the high end watch shows, carry way more than 50 when they travel, so they have a method of moving them from country to country without paying taxes every time they enter another country. Don't try to sneak them through, you could wear one and your wife one, but if you have 4-5 in a checked bag and she has 4-5 in her checked bag, plus the ones on your wrist, I guarantee there are going to be some questions asked, then you are at a disadvantage unless you have all the proper paperwork. Contrary to what others have said, I would NOT put anything of value in checked baggage. Checked baggage is unattended, and it is XRayed as well, so the thieves in any airport have access to your baggage, and have seen the contents. Don't think that your little TSA approved lock will work either, every crooked baggage handler has a key!! Do it correctly, do the paperwork, and then carry them with you as carry on baggage in a nice watch case. you will be a lot happier knowing that they are safe with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masmannan Posted June 28, 2013 Report Share Posted June 28, 2013 At the London GTG last week i organised, I had a guy from Ohio bring 15-20 reps to London. I'll message him now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 Wear them all Sgt like a pimp!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 If you paid the tax on them in Austrailia you will have to pay the import tax when you import them as private possessions into the UK, simple as that if you declare them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted June 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 Thanks Guys I think I'm going to contact UK Customs as freddy has suggested to see exactly where I stand bringing them in as possessions, I agree with the risks in checked baggage so I'd much rather have them with me in carry on. Last night I made up a carry on case with my old laptop bag and some hd foam, came out ok with room for quite a few so hope that will work out. I'll update when I hear from them guys If you paid the tax on them in Austrailia you will have to pay the import tax when you import them as private possessions into the UK, simple as that if you declare them. I really hope not mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxrAndy Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 Its not just the case it is the law. If you declare them!!! now if you were on a return ticket and were just coming fr a GTG or trade show then that would be different I travel a lot and need a Carnet for some of the things i travel with so that we can fly in and out of the EU with out tax problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masmannan Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 The US guy who visited London last week told me he simply placed his rep collection in his carry-on and he wasn't checked. Do check with customs, but I suspect they have more important stuff to pay attention to.Masmannan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 masm, think he got lucky gonna set off metal detectors for sure and go through x-ray right as carry on , at least that's how it is here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraggle42 Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 There's no way would I put them in checked hold baggage, a very good chance they'll vanish.Ask customs or another option is to post them to one of us here in the UK and have them marked as "repair returns" with a fake invoice from a watch repair place where you currently live. (Printed with a decent looking letterhead!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on a bike Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 That might work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted June 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 One of our valued members here has kindly offered his services already in that respect which I really appreciate may end up being a mix of the solutions offered up so far! Cheers guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraggle42 Posted June 29, 2013 Report Share Posted June 29, 2013 Goodo! I'm in the UK too and am happy to act as a go between for anything like this if you want to ship them to a few UK addresses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtguk Posted June 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2013 Goodo! I'm in the UK too and am happy to act as a go between for anything like this if you want to ship them to a few UK addresses. Cheers mate really appreciate it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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