My Panerai Luminor Marina
After a long wait, my first Panerai finally arrived. The size of the watch wasn't as big as i have imagined although its 44mm. Nonetheless, i still love it.
Anyway, i've got a story to tell...
I ordered this watch from a Authorised Dealer in the states. They gave me free shipping with Fedex but it can only be shipped to Hong Kong. Of course, i happily accepted it. The watch reached Hong Kong within a few days. I was too eager to have the watch so i asked a relative to reship it to me. I knew there will be some kind of invoice and labels with the price of the watch on the parcel. Therefore, i told the relative of mine to remove them before shipping it to me. I even requested this relative to declare the value as only USD100 because i know the customs here are bloodsuckers.
Ok. My relative shipped using Fedex so it reached here within the next day. Somehow it got delayed at the customs and i knew something was wrong. So i called Fedex and i got the shock of my life. I WAS TOLD TO PAY MORE THAN USD1000 FOR DUTIES AND TAXES! After some enquiring, the Fedex person told me that the customs over here found the actual invoice of USD5900 inside the parcel. FUCK! I can't believe i am so unlucky and i definitely didn't expect them to open the parcel.
I wrote an email to explain that the actual value wasn't that much but they still insisted that the value is USD5900. If the parcel is to be returned to Hong Kong, the duties and taxes will still have to be paid. I simply don't agree. The parcel didn't even reach me or leave the customs, i really don't think the amount should be paid. I am sure this won't happen anywhere else in the world. If the parcel is to be returned, no taxes will be charged. Anyway, the matter of fact is that the customs are really bloodsuckers! They just want money!
After 2 whole weeks of negotiation, the customs still insisted on the duties and taxes of more than USD1000. In order not to lose the watch, i can only agree to pay the amount.
So all in all, i have to pay like 20% more. Damn! I could have gotten another watch...Its a good lesson learnt for me.
31 comments:
hello, what shop did u use? do they sell rolex or Patek? Free shipping to Hong Kong is so attractive. thx.Alan
thanks for consoling me but the duties and taxes is just too hefty! I really hate the customs here!
thanks:) I like it because its classic
its actually the Panerai boutique so they have only pams. I saw your PP watch! Its nice and rare...how did you managed to get it? By the way, your blog is quite interesting...keep it going!
nice watch! i just went to look at some recently here in nyc. how come you didnt order directly from HK? since i dont think its that hard to find that model.
Thats a PAM 104. A contemporary collection. Produced every year. I'm guessing it should be available in Singapore, why did you have to order it from US?
As when shipping watches, you should have done your research beforehand. There are steps to be made if you dont want to get taxed. I got watches all the time, but I always insist on using DHL. They are never opened or whatsoever.
If you guys know about Panerai, you should know that it is very difficult to find a PAM0104. HK Authorized Dealer don't even have one and they waiting list is like forever!
yes. Thats a PAM104. Its not available at any AD in Singapore and i have enquired many times. However, after placing my order, i realized that there are 1 or 2 small shops in Singapore that has a PAM104. I have to admit that i should have searched thoroughly.
Well, i did my research and knew that the customs here sucks but i really didn't expect them to open the parcel. Anyway, it will be the last time that i will ship a watch here.
ADs are leeches, they offer no discount for Panerais nowadays. If you had picked these up like 4-5 years ago, they were only around 3-4K or lesser. You should have gone through fine time pieces boutique such as Passions watch or Monsters Time, among the others. And you will get a better price without the tax in the beginning.
well, PAMs are pretty popular nowadays and i am sure all AD of any watches would not give u any discount. Yes you are right, prices are lower afew years back. Its all because of the annual increases in prices....
Passion and Monster didn't have this model at the time i was looking for it
yeah sorry to hear that that really sucks. we have the same watch now tho ;)
yeah man! Are you still wearing yours? I think my next target will be JLC Master Compressor
Man... your Panerai is making me salivate! I am on the waitlist for the PAM48 for ages and I am beginning to think it will never be my turn! I even checked with Selfridges and Harrods in London but even THEY have waitlists...
US customs is really bad : / Shame you have to pay 20% more.....
Hey~ its good to hear from you again. Are you located in London? Perhaps you should order from somewhere else. Have you tried else where?
Well, the problem is not with the US customs, its actually the local customs here.
oh it's the customs here? yikes...
nah I'm actually now based in HK but was waiting forever so I asked around in London when I went back last month. Turns out there are waiting lists everywhere.
You know where I can get the watch faster?
I think u will have a higher chance in HK since the demand is so high. There are quite a number of shops in HK that carry Panerai.
If you don't mind transacting online, you can actually go to the panerai forum. If not, try to email the overseas boutique directly...
Next target's a JLC Master Compressor Geographic or the master Compressor Memovox or..?
I will probably get the JLC Master Compressor Chronograph...but if i have more money at that time, i might get the Extreme World...well, i probably won't have...hehe
If u're talking about the rose gold model, yes it's expensive. But you can consider the SS model. It's about +,- 6.4k USD (after the norm discount), which's quite close to your errmm....(forgive me but i've got to say this) overpriced pam. Anyway back to my fav topic (watches),...you're looking at JLC because of their in-house movements etc ? But you intend to wear it as a dress watch ? If yes, it's too sporty looking (i think. sorry i'm a noob when it comes to fashion) You can try lookin at IWC portuguese.
Nah...i doubt i will buy a rose gold watch. First, its expensive and second, i think i am too young to wear something gold....
Are you sure the SS version is only 6.4k? Where to get it? Anyway, why do you think my pam was overpriced? In my opinion, it is overpriced because of the freaking incurred tax!
Yeah...JLC has a good history for their in-house movement. I think Master Compressor is good as casual or formal occasions...
The only watch that i like from IWC is probably the Big Pilot. The rest make me look old and i probably can't afford them...haha
it's the master compressor geographic SS that's about 6.4.
Anyway, you got your 104 at a retail price, so it's ok, considering it's demand now(which i really don't know why). In Bangkok, a 104 will cost about 5.5 (excluding vat).
your pam is "overpriced" because of the taxes.
i can't agree more that it is overpriced because of the freaking tax!!
Yes, geographic is around that price but the Chrono is more expensive...i think after discount is about 8k more or less
you are from Bangkok? How are the prices of watches there? Is it able to find good watches?
Yes. It's easier than most of its asia counterparts. Where else can you find 2 brand new 104s ?
wow!...its simply rare to find 2 brandnew 104s...what is the price over there?
about 5.6+ (excluding vat)
how much is the VAT?
7%
So after VAT, the price is the same as US.
Hi,
Loving your blog. I was just wondering which AD did you use? How did you make payment to them? Are most of them willing to ship internationally? This is an old post hopefully you can still get back to me.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
VIctor
Hi Victor,
You can try contacting a Panerai boutique directly. I am pretty sure they are willing to ship internationally.
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