US Customs

[leopardprey]

No problem getting through Customs with a Rolex Sub on my wrist and an Omega SMP and Rolex Exp II in my backpack. Did not even check my bags. Of course if they would have asked, would have stated all are for personal use and have had for while. Which is true. Did notice they were going through the bags of Non-US Citizens.

Idiots in Germany, during changing of flights did confiscate my Stick Deodorant, small bottle of Polo Cologne, sport hari gel, and shampoo from my carry on!

It is getting really Anal at Airline security. These people do not have any idea on how to make a bomb and how simple it would be to conceal. But, they overreact and take fluids away. Only seems to be in the USA. Never a problem travelling in the MiddleEast or Asia.

[nko51]

They have to act as though their doing something to combat terrorist!

[sinbad]

I am a U.S. Customshouse broker. Over the years, I have cleared many personal goods and watches thru Customs which were seized by baggage Customs and reverted to cargo Customs due to passengers not declaring on arrival. As a broker, I always recommend you declare since Customs will often you go thru without duty payment. Customs on passenger side are primarily interested in finding contraband and goods for resale. I declared my LV to U.S. Cutoms when leaving the Bahamas, they said Merry Christmas and I was on my way.

[High-Gear]

Speaking of this topic, I am traveling to Ireland, and the UK next month. What paperwork do I need to take to show I owned my watch prior to leaving, and what procedure do I need to follow at the customs line? This is my first trip outside of the US.

[leopardprey]

If it is the only watch you have with you and you are wearing it, I would not worry. If you want to be sure, just keep a copy of your reciept or warranty card with you, showing you bought it in the USA or before you even went on your trip. You will not have any problem.

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by High-Gear

Speaking of this topic, I am traveling to Ireland, and the UK next month. What paperwork do I need to take to show I owned my watch prior to leaving, and what procedure do I need to follow at the customs line? This is my first trip outside of the US.

None. I have made numerous trips outside the U.S. and I have never had a problem with Customs and my personal watch.

The only time I was ever stopped and asked about my Rolex was when I was returning from Bermuda. I simply told the Customs agent it was my personal watch, showed him the scratches on it and other signs of normal wear and tear, and I was on my way.

Ironically, when this happened, I was accompanying a marine archaeologist who was carrying 1,400 Spanish "pieces of eight" (silver dollars) in his carry on bag, which we had recovered from a shipwreck. He sailed through the security scan and Customs without any questions, but I was stopped while standing behind him in line and asked about my Rolex Submariner.

Here's a photo. Remember, carrying lots of treasure = no problem. Lawyer wearing Rolex watch = problem.

[sinbad]

leopardprey: If you are carrying goods (including expensive jewelry), then you can have U.S. Customs stamp your passport prior to leaving the States. U.S. Customs usually have an office in the passenger international terminal. This process is most beneficial for business travel with accompanying samples and equipment. It aids in the customs clearance process at destination and return to U.S. If you are wearing your watch which has signs of wear (and not carrying a couple in your back pack), then you do not need to take any action.

[astcell]

1,400 pieces of eight = $175.00 face value, hardly worth declaring!

[kieran]

hi,no problem here in ireland if your property,
regards
kieran
conceirge northstar hotel dublin
0876734344 mobile,

[Subfiend]

Originally Posted by astcell

1,400 pieces of eight = $175.00 face value, hardly worth declaring!

Yeah, what was I thinking? Why would a shoulder bag filled with 1,400 antique silver coins arouse suspicion?

[Rizzo]

If you want to travel with your watches outside the US it a good idea to get a Certificate of Registration For Personal Effects Taken Abroad (Form 4457). You can receive this certificate from Customs before you depart. It provides documentation that you had the items with you before you departed the country.

[dfn8tly]

Originally Posted by Rizzo

If you want to travel with your watches outside the US it a good idea to get a Certificate of Registration For Personal Effects Taken Abroad (Form 4457). You can receive this certificate from Customs before you depart. It provides documentation that you had the items with you before you departed the country.

I totally agree, Rizzo.

I've been told the form is available on the Customs web site so you can print it out and fill it in ahead of time. As usual with most forms on gov. sites it will probably require a little looking around.

[High-Gear]

Thanks for the info guys. Here is a link to the form on the Customs website.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...t/cbp_4457.pdf

[jowie4]

ok lets say I leave the U.S. with an omega constellation on my wrist, then come back a month later with a submariner and possibly a datejust in my backpack.. what should i do then??

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by jowie4

ok lets say I leave the U.S. with an omega constellation on my wrist, then come back a month later with a submariner and possibly a datejust in my backpack.. what should i do then??

Bad idea....won't work!!

But this one might.....walk out of the US with a cheap 50-dollar fake Rolex. Have it endorsed on your passport. When you go overseas, chuck that POS into the Atlantic or Pacific or whatever damn ocean is available....and walk back into the US with a new SIMILAR looking Rolex.

Show your passport that you had taken it out and BINGO!!! Not sure if that'll work in your part of the world, but believe me it was a super success in certain third world countries.

JJ

[jowie4]

really???? Ok what if there's no more DJ in my backpack and just a SS sub on my wrist and a used omega constellation in my back pack?? Plus what is the fees etc lets say i do have an extra DJ in my back pack for personal use

[PacNW]

Never been charged fees for any extra watches I might carry during overseas travels, but I usually wear the Rollie headed out and pack a throwaway to wear if I'm going to cities or rural areas with a higher crime rate.
I've noticed when I come back from the EU I get less, if any inspections going through US customs vs coming back from Far East Asia.

[sevoguy]

Originally Posted by High-Gear

Thanks for the info guys. Here is a link to the form on the Customs website.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...t/cbp_4457.pdf

Prior to my recent trip to Australia, I printed the Customs form referenced above. Unfortunately, you need to take the form (and the items being listed) to a Custom's offcer for signature prior to departure. This is problematic if you are departing from a smaller airport with a brief delay between connections to an overseas flight. I did not obtain this form/nor declare any item of jewelry taken with us out of the US, although I carried in my wallet, a copy of a recent insurance appraisal. This listed only the items I was travelling with.

For the return home, due to flight delays, we arrived in Los Angeles at 1:15 am. Customs agents were NOT HAPPY that they were there at that time of the morning. 350+ passengers passed through 9 Customs checkpoints, made their appropriate declarations, headed to the luggage collection point, grabbed their bags and headed to their next destination (hotel, parking garage, home, etc)! Not one bag coming off the international flight was inspected! This is the honest truth. After the Customs agents examined passports and the last passenger had been cleared, there was a mass exodus of any and all agents from the terminal building. I should have packed as many bottles of that fine NZ wine as I could into our bags. I'd be drinking it now.
Sevoguy

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by sevoguy

I should have packed as many bottles of that fine NZ wine as I could into our bags. I'd be drinking it now.
Sevoguy

I bet you would, Mike!!

[Alex Stylianou]

umm yeah



YES , 2OOTH OPST WOO