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Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from USA!

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fashionbabee

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 11, 2013
Messages
105
Hi

1 ct cushion paid for at GOG and they are just awaiting my further instructions. If I get them to Steven Kirsch they will have to add 10% sales tax. If I get them to ship to me I have to pay shipping into UK then back to US and then once the ring is ready have it all shipped back.

If I have paid VAT on the diamond on the way in the first time I assume I don't have to pay on the way in again when its in the ring?

Also a bit nervous a package will come through post (once I have paid taxes etc) with customs form likely stating diamond inside (just an invitation for theft I think) so worrying about it making it to me!!

Any UK ladies with any experience of customer projects/e-rings/diamond purchases please give me your wisdom or advice!

Thank you

:twirl:
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Hi, I can't help with more info about the taxes but I have made a couple of large-ish purchases from the US with no problems at all. FedEx seem to be pretty used to dealing with these sorts of items. And prices are a LOT cheaper, even factoring in the extras like taxes and shipping......
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Not 100% sure but FEDEX does not insure jewelry, and have limits of $500.
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

My pieces were insured in transit but I'm not sure if it was via FedEx or through the sellers. You should also consider whether it is likely that any setting might need maintenance in the future, perhaps it will be difficult to send it back and forth at that point??
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Vendors use a 3rd party insurance when shipping via FedEx.
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Hi!

Ok, 2 ways to go about this. I have the same issue (I'm from the UK but currently living in New Zealand so I know the UK system and I'm going through this myself at the moment).

Option 1 - GOG can send the stone to SK for setting and as long as SK returns it to GOG (for them to send on to you) you won't pay sales tax on the stone BUT you will be charged tax by SK on the setting. Assuming the setting is the less expensive of the two, that's your better option. This is what I'm doing, it's a pain to pay NY tax when I know I'm going to be charged again when it comes into NZ but this was the lesser of two evils.

Option 2 - you have the diamond shipped to you in the UK. You'll be charged VAT when it arrives (plus a Fedex handling fee of circa 30GBP) but won't pay NY sales tax. You then ship it back out again to SK for setting. Now, I've a suspicion that when it comes back to the UK again, you'll be charged VAT on the full value (stone + setting) becuase SK will need to state the full customs value on the package when its shipped. I know that you can reclaim VAT if you return an item (I did this with a diamond once) but I think you need to evidence that is has been shipped back to the same address it came from. What you might be able to do is agree with GOG that they'll ship it to you in the UK (that will enable them to sell it to you without sales tax) but ask if you can then ship it back to them (so you can show HMRC that it has been shipped back to the same address it came from) and then get GOG to send it on to SK. The thing is that by the time you've done this, I suspect the shipping and insurance costs will be not far off the NY sales tax on the setting.

Not sure if this helps much but I do sympathise!
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

I meant to add that with option 1, you'll need to let both GOG and SK know that's what you want to do as everyone needs to be on the same page. You'll also need to make sure the shipping back to GOG bit doesn't get forgotten about in the 6 weeks or so while SK is making the ring (as I nearly did!).

Cheers
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

I wonder if you could have GOG ship it to an independent appraiser located in the US but outside of NY (perhaps David Atlas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?) for an informal evaluation, and then have the the appraiser ship the stone to SK? Then SK can ship the finished ring directly to you in the UK. I'd think any shipping costs that may be borne by you and the appraisal fee (likely below $100 for a basic service like matching diamond to grading report) should be quite a bit less than NY taxes on diamond or setting.
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Hi Fashionbabee,

I totally understand your pain!!! I did consider this when purchasing my diamond
trundlebunny said:
Hi!

Ok, 2 ways to go about this. I have the same issue (I'm from the UK but currently living in New Zealand so I know the UK system and I'm going through this myself at the moment).

Option 1 - GOG can send the stone to SK for setting and as long as SK returns it to GOG (for them to send on to you) you won't pay sales tax on the stone BUT you will be charged tax by SK on the setting. Assuming the setting is the less expensive of the two, that's your better option. This is what I'm doing, it's a pain to pay NY tax when I know I'm going to be charged again when it comes into NZ but this was the lesser of two evils.

Option 2 - you have the diamond shipped to you in the UK. You'll be charged VAT when it arrives (plus a Fedex handling fee of circa 30GBP) but won't pay NY sales tax. You then ship it back out again to SK for setting. Now, I've a suspicion that when it comes back to the UK again, you'll be charged VAT on the full value (stone + setting) becuase SK will need to state the full customs value on the package when its shipped. I know that you can reclaim VAT if you return an item (I did this with a diamond once) but I think you need to evidence that is has been shipped back to the same address it came from. What you might be able to do is agree with GOG that they'll ship it to you in the UK (that will enable them to sell it to you without sales tax) but ask if you can then ship it back to them (so you can show HMRC that it has been shipped back to the same address it came from) and then get GOG to send it on to SK. The thing is that by the time you've done this, I suspect the shipping and insurance costs will be not far off the NY sales tax on the setting.

Not sure if this helps much but I do sympathise!
Click to expand...
really good advice, i did do option 1 but the advantage I had was the diamond I purchase was from the same building SK was located so logistically it was alright.



marymm said:
I wonder if you could have GOG ship it to an independent appraiser located in the US but outside of NY (perhaps David Atlas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?) for an informal evaluation, and then have the the appraiser ship the stone to SK? Then SK can ship the finished ring directly to you in the UK. I'd think any shipping costs that may be borne by you and the appraisal fee (likely below $100 for a basic service like matching diamond to grading report) should be quite a bit less than NY taxes on diamond or setting.
Click to expand...
This is a really good advice, it could be the best option!!!!!
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Or to make things simple - use a vendor in another state pending their price estimate (ie. Victor Canera, Craig Evans Small, SN Queen or even Sebastien Barier in France). I do adore Steven but if the tax is a big issue ... I may try other options if it is more economical.
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Hello

wow thanks for all the replies! Honestly cant thank everyone enough on this site for all the useful information I have gotten in the last few months.

I tried to google for ideas and suggestions and it was really hard to find stuff - unlike on here!

Snowdrop and willydiamond - GOG told me they would FEDEX it and said it would be insured I assumed they were one and the same but it could be that there is separate insurance being arranged as suggested by Chrono. I didn't ask because as long as I had the assurance it was insured while being shipped I was ok, so sorry if I confused things there :wink2:

Anyhoo, trundlebunny thanks for your input and you have two really really great ideas!!!!! I will think about them both and may have to (depending on which one) chat with SK and GOG. I have told GOG to hold the stone with them at the moment until I know what I am doing! So you did option 1, did you also go through GOG for your stone and SK for the setting or was it a similar set of circumstances with a different diamond vendor and ring maker? Just wanted to ask how receptive they were?

Marymm, that is also a great idea and thank you for even giving me a name. I will also look at that because I agree even with shipping could still be cheaper...as far as I recall shipping within the US was free but shipping international was $100 (including insurance) with GOG? so the costs might be quite a bit lower but obviously I would double check that before going with that one! Much appreciated and great idea! :tongue:

Hey Kathness on one of my other threads (think it might have been the stone one) I shouted out to you and asked how you have gotten on...would love to hear updates on your ring/situation! So did it also mean you had also only see video/pics etc of your stone before it was set? Not having it shipped here first makes me the teeniest little bit worried....

same question for you Marymm...

Hey Charmypoo, I originally wanted VC to make the ring but it was your and a few other PS ladies that encouraged me to get a quote with SK and after doing so and finding it was around $700 cheaper than the VC quote I kinda thought that it was just a little too expensive by the time the UK VAT and taxes got added to everything.

I guess perhaps it would have been easier if I had gotten the stone and the ring from the same place....!

I will come back to you and let you know what I decide, thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :tongue:
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Hey Fashionbabee!

Yup, I'm buying from GOG and getting SK to do the setting (settings plural actually - but that's a WHOLE other story!).

SK and GOG seem to work really well together, for example, after purchasing my AVC and having had it shipped to SK a stone closer to the specs I wanted came up - GOG are dropping off the new stone and picking up the old one from SK for me to minimise the down time. Had I gone through Leon for my setting (for example) i suspect the process would have been a whole lot more painful.

Another factor to consider with the whole shipping to UK and back scenario is insurance. The stone will be covered by GOG's insurance up until the point you sign for the package. Once you sign for it, it's uninsured and I don't think any UK company will cover a loose diamond. You then need to ship it back but you will need to arrange to do this under either GOG or SKs insurance policy. There is no way to
Insure a loose diamond in transit if you are a personal customer in the UK. None of the Royal Mail / Fedex etc services will provide insurance and neither will any of the insurance companies. I've sent things before and had it covered under the vendors policy (white flash, Brian Gavin and jbeg) so it's possible but you'd better check with GOG/SK before doing it just in case (you usually ship it under their FedEx account and then pay them for the cost).

Do investigate the appraiser option as that's a good idea and might work. The only thing to be careful of is they (being the appraiser) might be a bit funny about it if you are purely doing it to avoid NY sales tax. Just word your email carefully.

Good luck anyway - let us know how you get on!!
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Trundlebunny what can I say you are a :saint:

I didn't realise what you have said about the stone which just makes it that bit harder to ship and look before it's set. I wondered why when I was searching Google for loose diamond insurance I could find nothing and this totally explains it. This information has helped me greatly and hopefully in the future it may help other UK/overseas ladies!!!!

Right I think then I am now set that I will not ship the stone to view as it just seems like an extra layer of hassle. I will have to trust the asset etc along with the video that GOG made for me but, I suppose, if I also go down the shipping to appraiser route and I see the name given on this thread is thoroughly respected here on PS then I guess that can only give me extra piece of mind that is a great stone whilst at the same time meaning no NYC tax is paid so all round winner I think.

Thanks for your tip and of course I will convey to the appraiser that I am a slightly nervous overseas buyer who cannot really view the stone before purchase due to all the already discussed reasons so I need an independent and trusted appraiser to just provide that layer of comfort and second opinion' - which really would also be true anyway!

Thank you times a million for the help! So appreciated!
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

hello ladies, just to let you know ring has been appraised by David and sent to Steven!!!!! He will be starting work asap just as soon as I can decide on the proportions for the halo etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :appl:
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

work order is signed!!!!! Gulp!
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Fashionbabee. Am in the same boat as yourself and want to thank you for starting this topic. I am living in Ireland and have just commissioned Steven to make my upgrade. I am getting him to source the stone as hadn't really realised or taken into consideration the whole tax thing crazy :o . Can't wait to see final pics of your ring, it's nerve wracking but exciting at the same time. Good luck :appl:
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Hello

I got it sent out of state by GOG to David Atlas (cannot speak highly enough of him by the way!) which saved me the NYC state tax and he then sent it to SK and when ready he will obviously send it out of state to me in the UK, so all I have to do is pay the UK VAT and import tax but I have taken that into account in the budget!

Pictures will be posted for sure once its ready, around 3 weeks or so im hoping! :appl:
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Can't wait to see it :appl: the waiting is the worst part :twirl:
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

ditto and ditto

feel free to give any details about your creation, what style and how far along you are :-)
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

Just in the very early stages. Decided to buy a stone from diamonds by Lauren which I loved, so waiting on Stone to be sent to Steven. Once he gets the stone we can finalise on design etc. Have a thread regarding setting here [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-is-making-my-upgrade.191973/#post-3499974#p3499974']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/steven-kirsch-is-making-my-upgrade.191973/#post-3499974#p3499974[/URL]
Can't wait for him to get started. How long we're you given for completion? I am so impatient, don't know if I'll be able to handle a long wait :lol:
 
Re: Help from UK ladies on purchasinf e-ring / diamond from

got my ring! Will post in SMTB shortly! :appl:
 
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