Question About Customs Duty

[namor]

I've paid duty on several watches that came from overseas, and never really complained about it. But I recently got a Sinn returned to me after getting repairs in Germany, and they are seeking duty on the cost of repair. I've never seen that before - and I've had Sinn fix/refurb a dozen watches over the past 25 years. Is this new? I don't see why I'd have to pay duty on a watch I already own...

Gratuitous photo of the watch in question:

IMG_2116 (1).jpg

[hoppyjr]

You’re paying duty on the watch or the service? If the latter, it makes some sense as you received “goods or services” from a non-US company. I think it’s slipped through in the past, as I’ve experienced the same.

[BacoNoir]

I sent parts to a Canadian watchmaker and he made me a Watchco-like version of a vintage Seamaster 300. He mailed is back with a "service" receipt since he piece it together and did not buy any of the parts himself, and they hit me with customs charges for the full watch price. I tried to protest it, but it was a blackhole to try to get to anyone personally, so I just paid it.

[River Rat]

I had to send my Bund Hanhart 417 to Germany for a repair, I used FedEx did not have to pay extra for its return. Maybe Sinn did not do the return paperwork right and it looked like you bought a watch instead of owning it already and it was just a service.

[logan2z]

FWIW, when I sent a watch to Sinn for repair several years ago, I got dinged for brokerage fees by UPS but not duties. Maybe something has changed since then or, as Mike suggested, Sinn didn't fill out the paperwork correctly.

[MDF]

I had a Sinn UX serviced at Sinn Germany probably 1.5 years ago and did not get charged any duty.