Reference guide · November 2026
Import duties & taxes on luxury watches, by country.
Wristwatches carry 0% import duty in most major markets (UK, Germany and Australia at HS 9101/9102). Hong Kong is a full free port — no duty, no GST, no VAT. The UAE applies 5% VAT and no duty. VAT/GST elsewhere is settled on the customs value at import. US duty depends on movement type and case material. Verified as of November 2026.
| Country | Import duty | VAT / GST | Notes | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | No import duty on personal-import luxury watches for UAE residents in most cases; 5% VAT typically applies on the declared value. | 5% UAE VAT on declared value (as of Nov 2026). | Crypto is not accepted as direct payment at retail — settlements are handled through licensed intermediaries or peer-to-peer between principals. Crypto Time operates as a brokerage; the buyer settles directly with the seller. | November 2026 |
| Singapore | No import duty on watches in Singapore. GST applies on the CIF value at import. | GST at prevailing rate (TODO(owner): confirm current SG GST rate). | Direct crypto retail payments are rare; settlement is typically principal-to-principal or via licensed intermediaries. Crypto Time settles directly with the buyer — we never process card payments. | November 2026 |
| Hong Kong | No import duty on watches in Hong Kong — Hong Kong is a free port. No GST or VAT. | None. Hong Kong has no GST or VAT. | Crypto is not legal tender; principal-to-principal settlement is standard for high-value goods. Crypto Time invoices in crypto and settles directly with the buyer. | November 2026 |
| United Kingdom | No import duty on wristwatches into the UK (heading 9101/9102, standard rate 0%). UK VAT applies on the customs value at import. | UK VAT at prevailing standard rate on customs value (TODO(owner): confirm rate). | Crypto is not legal tender; principal-to-principal settlement is the norm. Crypto Time settles directly with UK buyers — we never process card payments. | November 2026 |
| Switzerland | No customs duty on watches manufactured in Switzerland when re-imported to Swiss residents in most cases. Swiss VAT (MWST) applies at the prevailing rate on the customs value. | Swiss MWST at prevailing standard rate on customs value (TODO(owner): confirm rate). | Crypto payments are established practice; Swiss law firms routinely operate crypto-capable escrow. Crypto Time defaults escrow via a neutral Swiss lawyer's trust account for invoices above €1M. | November 2026 |
| Australia | No customs duty on wristwatches into Australia (heading 9101/9102, 0%). Australian GST applies on the customs value at import above the low-value threshold. | Australian GST at prevailing rate on customs value (TODO(owner): confirm current rate). | Crypto is not legal tender; settlement is principal-to-principal or via AUSTRAC-registered intermediaries. | November 2026 |
| United States | US import duty on wristwatches varies by movement type and case material (typically 0–6.25% + additional per-jewel/case components). US customs valuation at declared value. | No federal VAT/GST. State/local sales/use tax may apply depending on delivery state. | Crypto Time operates as a brokerage — we facilitate acquisition and settlement between principals and never process payments as a licensed money transmitter. The buyer settles directly with the seller. | November 2026 |
| Germany | Intra-EU deliveries: no customs duty. Wristwatches from third countries: standard EU import duty (0% on most wristwatches, HS 9101/9102). VAT applies at the German rate on the customs value. | German VAT at 19% on customs value / invoice (intra-EU: no additional import VAT). | Crypto is not legal tender; principal-to-principal settlement is standard. Crypto Time is based in the DACH region and settles directly with buyers. | November 2026 |
Do I pay import duty on a watch delivered to Hong Kong?
No. Hong Kong is a free port — there is no import duty on watches, and no GST or VAT (as of November 2026).
Which country has the lowest tax burden for luxury watch imports?
Hong Kong (no duty, no VAT/GST) and the UAE (no duty, 5% VAT) carry the lightest tax burden among the eight markets in this reference.
Is UK import duty on watches 0%?
Yes — wristwatches (HS 9101/9102) carry 0% UK import duty. UK VAT is separately due on the customs value at import.
Not legal or tax advice — verify with your advisor.
Last updated: November 2026