Watch import VAT and duty calculator
What a watch from eBay US, Germany, Australia or Canada really costs once it reaches the UK.
Exchange rates from the European Central Bank (updated daily). An estimate, not tax advice: your courier and HMRC have the final word.
Questions
Do I pay VAT on a watch bought from the US?
Yes. Goods over £135 sent to the UK from abroad are charged 20% import VAT, worked out on the price plus postage plus any customs duty. The courier usually collects it, with a handling fee, before delivering.
Is there customs duty on watches?
Often, at a few percent of the value (we default to 4.5%, a common rate for wristwatches in the UK Global Tariff). Watches that originate in a country with a UK trade deal, with proof of origin, can be duty-free. Check the UK Trade Tariff for your watch's commodity code.
Is a watch from the EU free of import VAT now?
No. Since Brexit, a watch sent from Germany or anywhere else in the EU to the UK is charged 20% import VAT like any other import.
Is it still worth buying a watch from abroad?
Sometimes. US prices can be much lower for some references, but add VAT, duty, insured international postage and the hassle of returns, and the saving often disappears. Use the cheapest-by-country table on each watch's page, then run the numbers here.