Bringing designer stuff from Asia back to the US
Aug 28, 2015, 1:53 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: CDG
Posts: 205
Exactly. It always puzzles me why people often take significant risk for very little reward, and how people value differently a bad sleep due to fear than one due an angled seat...
Last edited by ChangingNappies; Aug 28, 2015 at 2:36 am
Aug 28, 2015, 3:56 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Once I emerged from the jetway after a Montreal-Cleveland flight and saw a purposeful-looking fellow walk up to the lady right behind me. He took her elbow and said very firmly, "ma'am, I'd like to talk to you about your coat." I hadn't noticed the extravagant fur coat she was wearing, but the customs agent sure did.
I guess we must have pre-cleared immigration and customs at YUL, and Montreal US customs had alerted an agent in Cleveland.
I guess we must have pre-cleared immigration and customs at YUL, and Montreal US customs had alerted an agent in Cleveland.
For genuine designer and luxury clothing and accessories, I'd be surprised if retail prices in Asia were less that prices in the USA.[The odds might be more favorable for Asian rather than foreign designers and labels.] Moreover, stores in Asia are likely to mostly carry very small sizes.
Last edited by TOMFORD; Aug 28, 2015 at 4:09 am
Aug 28, 2015, 4:25 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
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Posts: 14,222
I have found no hidden gold in other countries in regards to price. In many instances prices in Asia for designer handbags and shoes were dearer. The price seems to be standard. I priced a designer handbag at saks online and it was the equivalent price here in Australia (after factoring exchange rates).
You're Tom Ford... one expects you to have designer stuff. lol
You're Tom Ford... one expects you to have designer stuff. lol
Aug 28, 2015, 8:16 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,782
I have found no hidden gold in other countries in regards to price. In many instances prices in Asia for designer handbags and shoes were dearer. The price seems to be standard. I priced a designer handbag at saks online and it was the equivalent price here in Australia (after factoring exchange rates).
You're Tom Ford... one expects you to have designer stuff. lol
You're Tom Ford... one expects you to have designer stuff. lol
Aug 29, 2015, 6:11 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
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Posts: 14,222
Regular clothes shopping or shoe brands are often cheaper in the USA. However, in my experience the designer labels, Vuitton, Dior etc are similar when taking in to account he exchange rate of the countries.
Aug 30, 2015, 8:58 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,857
If you take into account the exchange rate, when the dollar was strong designer clothes in the US and Europe was much cheaper as the exchange rate for AUD was imported at approximately 80c. The strange thing is that low-mid range stuff like GAP, Zara and H&M has a hefty mark up in Australia whilst something like Brooks Brothers is the same price. The main issue for shopping designer wear in Asia is that it is often a season to half a season ahead.
Aug 30, 2015, 9:10 am
#22
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Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
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This is not quite correct. All American citizens are allowed to bring back one counterfeit item for personal use in each category, i.e. one DVD, one purse, one pair of shoes, etc. They will not be seized.
You should, of course, declare everything and it's a good idea to keep receipts.
You should, of course, declare everything and it's a good idea to keep receipts.
Aug 30, 2015, 12:38 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
OP has bought $6,500 suit in US
wealthy and spenders own these goods
customs cant prove where it was bought
maybe japanese have answers for this (buying expensive outside japan)
wealthy and spenders own these goods
customs cant prove where it was bought
maybe japanese have answers for this (buying expensive outside japan)
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 30, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Aug 30, 2015, 1:18 pm
#24
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
That one $6500 suit, the most expensive one I own, I think was bought from Tom Ford in Bangkok or Singapore. I just carried it back (along with my personal item and one carry on), in a TF garment bag with a big logo, and just waltzed right through. I have done that with suits I bought in HK as well, and never declared it. But those times, a suit is the only thing I bought abroad.
Aug 31, 2015, 2:58 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London
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That's why rather than going to China, I stick to places with lower import tax rates like HK, Thailand, and I would say Singapore too, but I never plan on visiting there again. I'm a rather small person by American standards. Neiman Marcus doesn't carry my size for the designer I like. Some of that designer's US boutiques don't even carry my size.
Sep 1, 2015, 7:43 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,865
unless youre talking about 1 old man in a napoli shop or a boutique like charvet paris.... where the money is, the retailers are... and thats america
Sep 1, 2015, 2:24 pm
#29
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
My coat is from the Spring Summer 2015 season! Look at the collections catalogue! They don't sell those now, I've had it for months!
Strictly personal use. But how would you prove that? All I can think of is taking the tags off, throwing the packaging away, and or wearing some of it.
Asia is almost always more expensive. That's why rather than going to China, I stick to places with lower import tax rates like HK, Thailand, and I would say Singapore too, but I never plan on visiting there again. I'm a rather small person by American standards. Neiman Marcus doesn't carry my size for the designer I like. Some of that designer's US boutiques don't even carry my size.
Strictly personal use. But how would you prove that? All I can think of is taking the tags off, throwing the packaging away, and or wearing some of it.
Asia is almost always more expensive. That's why rather than going to China, I stick to places with lower import tax rates like HK, Thailand, and I would say Singapore too, but I never plan on visiting there again. I'm a rather small person by American standards. Neiman Marcus doesn't carry my size for the designer I like. Some of that designer's US boutiques don't even carry my size.
Sep 1, 2015, 3:33 pm
#30
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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Posts: 4,896
Asia is more expensive than the US for designer clothes etc. If you want designer rather than counterfeit, you will pay a hefty premium on US prices in HK, Singapore etc. HK may have no sales tax but prices are still high to 1) factor in high rents and 2) to maximise profit from the cash-rich mainland market. The only designer "item" I found to be cheaper in HK when I lived there was Armani make-up (and Apple products).
Tom Ford patented his suits, and I like his design.
