How is the duty calculated on a watch?

Import duty on watches is not calculated on a straightforward percentage rate.

The duty payable on a watch is expressed as:
4.5% or minimum €0.3 Euro - maximum €0.8.

In general, the duty payable on a single watch normally equals €0.8.

The duty payable will be calculated at 4.5% of the customs value, unless the resultant duty is less than the minimum, in which case the duty payable will default to €0.3 per watch.

If the duty amount calculated at 4.5% of the customs value is more than the maximum, the duty payable will default to €0.8 per watch.

Let's assume we import a Rolex with a total customs value of €6,000.
Duty at 4.5% = €270, which is more than the €0.8 per watch maximum amount.
Duty payable will default to €0.8 (1 x €0.8).

Let's assume we want to import 10 watches with a total customs value of €1,000 Euro.
Duty at 4.5% = €45, which is more than the €0.8 per watch maximum amount.
Duty payable will default to €8 (10 x €0.8).

Now let's assume we want to import 100 watches with a customs value of €300.
Duty at 4.5% = €13.50, which is less than the 0.3 Euro per watch minimum amount.
Duty payable will default to 30 Euro (100 x €0.3).

To conclude, 4.5% will only apply if the duty payable per watch falls between €0.3 and €0.8.