Traveling with your Rolex - Customs declarations

[RAB321]

Originally Posted by goldfixer21

If you are wearing a single watch, customs doesn't care what it's worth.

Really? Because I was stopped and asked to see a "flashy" Citizen watch once. It had what looked like a diamond encrusted bezel. As soon as he could look closer, he handed it right back.

[RMF]

Just declare it before you go using this US Customs form https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/fi..._form_4457.pdf

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Aboutderntime

I’ll be traveling from the United States to France in the near future and hope to bring one of my favorite watches. At this point, I’m leaning towards my yacht master 226659 or my VC overseas. I’m wondering if anyone has had experience with customs while traveling with a watch valued over $10,000. Unfortunately, I don’t have a receipt, but I do have a registration card. Any tips for this process or things I should consider before hopping on the plane? Of course, the watches are both insured.

Well myself live in the UK but travelled a lot mainly far east middle east ,and all around Carribbean and never once asked about my Rolex 16600 SD that was on my wrist by customs

[IBJanky]

Jeez, some of you folks overthink everything. Just wear your watch and enjoy life.

[eugenetsang]

Having traveled internationally extensively, I never needed to declare any of my watches. At least from my experience.

I even brought 2 pieces with my while traveling to Hong Kong. One to be dropped off to get laser welded at CWR. The 2nd to be worn as my daily while the sub was out of commission.

US customs didn't care while coming back home. HK customs didn't care while arriving/departing. So I never understood the talk about members carrying copies of "receipts" or pics of your watches being worn prior to your trip.

I believe it's just an urban myth.

[toomuchtalk]

travlled all over world with watch on wrist. never an issue.

[Fredrik]

It very rarely happens, but the correct way as stated earlier is to do a temporary export at the airport followed by a temporary import in the country you are visiting. The limit on how much your stuff is worth before you need to make a temporary import varies a lot between countries. You need to return to the customs office when you are back and have the temporary export papers stamped again.

Professionally I usually travelled with an ATA Carnet, basically a passport for stuff.

[996marty]

To be honest I’ve never had an issue but maybe it depends on your country of residence when entering the borders once returning home

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by 996marty

To be honest I’ve never had an issue but maybe it depends on your country of residence when entering the borders once returning home

Maybe we should start a list of countries where they give travelers a hard time while wearing high end watches?

Here are some of the countries I've been to where I was NEVER bothered by customs.

1. USA
2. UK
3. France
4. Hong Kong
5. Malaysia
6. Singapore
7. Thailand
8. Japan
9. Australia
10. Mexico
11. Dominican Republic
12. Canada
13. The Philippines
14. Netherlands
15. Germany
16. Austria
17. Italy
18. Belgium

I'm missing a few more countries... But you guys get the points.

[123Blueface]

Do it all the time.
Sometimes as many as three of them.
Have never had an issue.
It’s. Or cash and they are not purchases I need to declare for taxes.
I always keep copy of receipts in email folder just in case since I take care of watches and look like new.
Countries I am entering only care if intended to be sold there but have never been asked.

[Mate1974]

It’s great that you’ve got insurance on both watches, which is always smart for travel. When traveling internationally with a watch valued over $10,000, it’s a good idea to bring any documentation you have, like the registration card, as proof of ownership. In the U.S., you can fill out a CBP Form 4457 at customs before your trip to avoid any issues upon re-entry, as it proves the watch was purchased in the U.S. This way, you won’t be asked to pay duties on your own watch when returning. As for entering France, typically, there’s no issue with bringing personal items, but having proof of purchase or ownership just in case can help things go smoothly. Enjoy your trip!

[dmash]

Originally Posted by eugenetsang

Maybe we should start a list of countries where they give travelers a hard time while wearing high end watches?

Here are some of the countries I've been to where I was NEVER bothered by customs.

1. USA
2. UK
3. France
4. Hong Kong
5. Malaysia
6. Singapore
7. Thailand
8. Japan
9. Australia
10. Mexico
11. Dominican Republic
12. Canada
13. The Philippines
14. Netherlands
15. Germany
16. Austria
17. Italy
18. Belgium

I'm missing a few more countries... But you guys get the points.

this isn’t really an extensive traveler if you meant for it to come off like that

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by eugenetsang

Maybe we should start a list of countries where they give travelers a hard time while wearing high end watches?

Here are some of the countries I've been to where I was NEVER bothered by customs.

1. USA
2. UK
3. France
4. Hong Kong
5. Malaysia
6. Singapore
7. Thailand
8. Japan
9. Australia
10. Mexico
11. Dominican Republic
12. Canada
13. The Philippines
14. Netherlands
15. Germany
16. Austria
17. Italy
18. Belgium

I'm missing a few more countries... But you guys get the points.

In my recollection some countries where I was able to avoid problems by producing my 4457 Customs form were Azerbaijan, Zimbabwe and China. It’s just a matter of reducing a low probability of difficulties.

[Sergio_UKR]

Originally Posted by dmash

this isn’t really an extensive traveler if you meant for it to come off like that

Extensive traveler is a person that is traveling often, not traveling to many destinations. Most of the people are interested in a handful of countries' customs experience and people that travel frequently know those better.

[Straphanger]

I have travelled extensively in my life with more than one watch , I have never been asked about them by customs , however i am keeping an eye on the luggage going through security and i wont leave them in the overhead compartment if i am going to sleep .
A friend had a nice watch stolen from his luggage during a night flight even so the locks were on (but one can get one of those TSA keys on the internet).
I would never have the box or the papers with me.

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by dmash

this isn’t really an extensive traveler if you meant for it to come off like that

I was just naming some of the countries I've been to where customs didn't bother with what was on my wrist. So I don't know where all these talk about travelers having to bring copies of receipts or take pics of you wearing your watch prior to travel came about? I think any reasonable customs agent would be able to tell whether the traveler is trying to avoid paying taxes and duties or not..

So back to the original post, from my pesonal experience, wearing a watch or any luxury goods isn't that big of a deal.

[eugenetsang]

Originally Posted by Sergio_UKR

Extensive traveler is a person that is traveling often, not traveling to many destinations. Most of the people are interested in a handful of countries' customs experience and people that travel frequently know those better.

haha. Thank you for explaining it to him thorougly!

I mean, should I have mentioned all the cities/states in the US where I DIDN'T have to go through customs? but logic would say.. that defeats the purpose of my post about visiting foreign countries and going through customs s

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by fsprow

In my recollection some countries where I was able to avoid problems by producing my 4457 Customs form were Azerbaijan, Zimbabwe and China. It’s just a matter of reducing a low probability of difficulties.

You can add Brazil, India and Norway to that list of countries were I had to produce forms of a kind.

It does depend on how you enter the country and if you look like a tourist.