Tag Huer watch on Equinox

Be careful when you say something is duty free. We bought a Breitling on board. The largest discount they can give you is 15% by the manufacturer. However, they could offer us credit in the other stores on board as an added discount, so don’t settle. We found out when we got off the ship in Florida, that the stores on board have an agreement to inform customs of anyone who made a major purchase of watch or jewelry of over $900. They never told us and we were pulled out of line getting off ship and told it was a “random check”. We have global entry so we knew that wasn’t it. Had to fill out custom form and pay duty tax because the watch was not made in the USA. We got the 15% off and extra purchases at other shops, but ended up paying the tax. Would have been better if they just told us up front.

You are very fortunate that they didn’t confiscate your purchases and hit you with a $10,000 fine.

If you read the rules and regulations of Customs the exemptions are for a 30 day rolling period and not per cruise. So if you do 2 cruises within 30 days you are technically only allowed to use the exemption one time. If you use part of it on one cruise you can’t use the balance on the other.

That is how it was explained to me by a custom officer when I was paying the duty on our watch purchases that I declared a few years ago. I could hear them giving the 3rd degree to another couple in an adjacent room about lying on their declaration. The couple was pleading ignorance and that doesn’t hold up. Don’t know the results but I asked the agent we were dealiing with and he said they will probably wish they didn’t try to lie about it.

The discount that I received was on watches that don’t allow any in the states. So with the discount and paying duty it was still cheaper that paying full price along with the state sales tax.

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Buyer beware, bought a beautiful TAG on Crystal came home and found out from our jeweler friend I overpaid by $200.00. Duty Free is NOT tax free two different things and the ships reports purchases to customs. No great deals on cruise ships. Learned my lesson but I love my watch.

Also avoid Diamonds International in the Carribean a true rip off.

Certainly if from the UK you won’t save anything simple because whatever happens in the US you are liable for import duty and Vat at 20% when returning to the UK. Yes we all know there are individuals who don’t declare and take the chance but that’s a personal choice. You can purchase watches far cheaper these days online including companies that specialise in genuine grey imports.

You are very fortunate that they didn’t confiscate your purchases and hit you with a $10,000 fine.

 

If you read the rules and regulations of Customs the exemptions are for a 30 day rolling period and not per cruise. So if you do 2 cruises within 30 days you are technically only allowed to use the exemption one time. If you use part of it on one cruise you can’t use the balance on the other.

 

That is how it was explained to me by a custom officer when I was paying the duty on our watch purchases that I declared a few years ago. I could hear them giving the 3rd degree to another couple in an adjacent room about lying on their declaration. The couple was pleading ignorance and that doesn’t hold up. Don’t know the results but I asked the agent we were dealiing with and he said they will probably wish they didn’t try to lie about it.

 

The discount that I received was on watches that don’t allow any in the states. So with the discount and paying duty it was still cheaper that paying full price along with the state sales tax.

 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

Yes, we were smart enough to declare it. Not worth the hassle to try and hide it. I was glad I had all my receipts!

I'm a bit of a watch junkie. Including a couple of antique watches, I'm up to a dozen so far. From the prices I saw on the Equinox last Nov, I'd say don't even bother. When you include the exchange rate, you can probably find a better deal back home.