Montreal man ordered to pay $35K fine for not declaring watch

[Calatrava r]

I wonder if the dealer was involved in knowingly shipping an empty box via FedEx. It is easier to just pay what is owed, if just for the peace of mind.

[2Fiveohs]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

I wonder if the dealer was involved in knowingly shipping an empty box via FedEx. It is easier to just pay what is owed, if just for the peace of mind.

I watch Luxury Bazaar's youtube series often....mildly entertaining while doing kitchen stuff. Me thinks that declaring an empty and most likely moderately heavy box to be worth $6 is a bit of an amateur move. I would have thought that they knew better than that. Ebay is showing $150 on the low end.

[Carguy87]

Originally Posted by 77T

The fine covers the time served.
Maybe 6 mo. Would be an object lesson for anyone else.


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That’s fair They could also sentence him to prison time but then suspend it pending clear conduct (assuming they do that in Canada like here in the States). That way the news headlines are still “Man gets prison for not declaring watch.” But as long as he goes with the program he’d never actually go.

Either way I’ll bet between the fine and knowing he’s on a secondary screening list for the rest of his life I’m sure he’ll pony up next time lol.

[~JJ]

I’ve brought several pieces from CAD to US and always pay the tax. Honestly, it’s intimidating and a long process (1-3 hours) which is more painful than paying the bill. They make you feel like a criminal while waiting to pay.

[pickettt]

Something to be said about honesty; I'd bought an (expensive to me) watch overseas once and when the customs agent asked about it and how much I'd paid, I told him. He didn't even ask to see it. His exact words were, "That's fine."

[walds11]

No sympathy for the guy! You know he was trying to evade.

Ah, Luxury Bazaar is back in the news

[ts3]

Originally Posted by Carguy87

In fairness to Arnold he was taking that watch to a charity auction, not just trying to duck import duties being a cheapskate (unless there was another incident I didn’t hear about)

Yup, Arnold imported the watch for a good cause. He may well have had other things on his mind than taxes. So maybe unfortunate but I have a hard time giving him full absolution.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Something to be said about honesty; I'd bought an (expensive to me) watch overseas once and when the customs agent asked about it and how much I'd paid, I told him. He didn't even ask to see it. His exact words were, "That's fine."

Happened to me once. Was prepared to pay, waved me through.

[330ci]

Originally Posted by 77T

The only point would be deterrence. How would a prison sentence hurt society?

He employs 18 people plus himself.


Businesses tend not to do too well without leadership. Furthermore given the size of the operation he likely has to cut/sign off on the checks as well.

Arrest him, he isn’t able to conduct business, 18 other people stop paying taxes as a result, their unable to pay for their needs so the bank doesn’t get their mortgage payments, local business loses out on sales, they go on government subsidies to help them while they search for a new job; that society has 18 less of. All for the want of a tax unpaid.

Not to mention incarceration is expensive and should only be utilized in events where public safety is at risk. Any crime that doesn’t pose a risk to the public should be handled with fines. That is the most beneficial thing to society overall. Taking someone’s freedom should only be reserved for when you can’t afford to pay for your crimes or are a danger yourself. Otherwise there are plenty of people employed across a myriad of agencies to hold people accountable. And they need to earn their keep too. Even if people stop dodging taxes; we’ll still have enforcement officers JIC

[Dyim]

Definitely weird how it was caught.

They caught him mailing the empty box.

There is no law against collecting watch boxes.

How do they decide he actually brought in an undeclared watch earlier?

Do they go thru your visa transactions?

Even if they see you paid for a watch overseas, how can they prove you brought it home?

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by Dyim

Definitely weird how it was caught.

They caught him mailing the empty box.

There is no law against collecting watch boxes.

How do they decide he actually brought in an undeclared watch earlier?

Do they go thru your visa transactions?

Even if they see you paid for a watch overseas, how can they prove you brought it home?

They can absolutely subpoena your financial records but something must trigger this. Perhaps an airport inspection left custom agents with a few doubts and that alerted them to be on the lookout for the smoking gun.

An infraction of course warrants a fine. In this case that hefty penalty … but it does raise the question of how can I move my property around and prove that I’ve paid my dues at some point.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Dyim

Definitely weird how it was caught.

They caught him mailing the empty box.

There is no law against collecting watch boxes.

How do they decide he actually brought in an undeclared watch earlier?

Do they go thru your visa transactions?

Even if they see you paid for a watch overseas, how can they prove you brought it home?

What?! Where did you find this info?


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[Krash]

I flew into Toronto years ago for business and was detained. It was strange. They pulled me into a room and asked me a bunch of questions.

I remember thinking it was sort of intimidating but I also remember not being worried simply because I had nothing to worry about. To this day, I still have no idea what that was all about. But I’ve been all over the world and it’s never happened anywhere else.

This thread reminds me of that experience.


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[Carguy87]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Something to be said about honesty; I'd bought an (expensive to me) watch overseas once and when the customs agent asked about it and how much I'd paid, I told him. He didn't even ask to see it. His exact words were, "That's fine."

Same; bought the wife a handbag at Hermes in Guadalajara on our last trip down. Declared it at customs coming back and the agent was really cool he just looked at me, chuckled and said “for a purse? Sounds like you suffered enough bro.” and didn’t make me pay anything

[ts3]

Originally Posted by 330ci

He employs 18 people plus himself.


Businesses tend not to do too well without leadership. Furthermore given the size of the operation he likely has to cut/sign off on the checks as well.

Arrest him, he isn’t able to conduct business, 18 other people stop paying taxes as a result, their unable to pay for their needs so the bank doesn’t get their mortgage payments, local business loses out on sales, they go on government subsidies to help them while they search for a new job; that society has 18 less of. All for the want of a tax unpaid.

Not to mention incarceration is expensive and should only be utilized in events where public safety is at risk. Any crime that doesn’t pose a risk to the public should be handled with fines. That is the most beneficial thing to society overall. Taking someone’s freedom should only be reserved for when you can’t afford to pay for your crimes or are a danger yourself. Otherwise there are plenty of people employed across a myriad of agencies to hold people accountable. And they need to earn their keep too. Even if people stop dodging taxes; we’ll still have enforcement officers JIC

Hopefully, at least in theory, everybody is equal when it comes to the law and its enforcement. Whether Montreal man here employs 18 people or not shouldn't be of any consideration. Suggesting the opposite feels like going down a slippery slope. That said, I agree that a fine is more appropriate than a prison sentence given the offense at hand.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by Krash

I flew into Toronto years ago for business and was detained. It was strange. They pulled me into a room and asked me a bunch of questions.

I remember thinking it was sort of intimidating but I also remember not being worried simply because I had nothing to worry about. To this day, I still have no idea what that was all about. But I’ve been all over the world and it’s never happened anywhere else.

This thread reminds me of that experience.


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Was in that same room lol. For us they were confused about having residences in both countries sort of thing. Got it taken care of but it’s not a comfortable situation to be in.

For you it could have had something to do with working in another country. Assuming you have a US passport and no Canadian residency.

[330ci]

Originally Posted by ts3

Hopefully, at least in theory, everybody is equal when it comes to the law and its enforcement. Whether Montreal man here employs 18 people or not shouldn't be of any consideration. Suggesting the opposite feels like going down a slippery slope. That said, I agree that a fine is more appropriate than a prison sentence given the offense at hand.

“Whether someone employs 18 people shouldn’t be a consideration” well, it very much is a factor when determining whether or not to detain someone pending trial. The whole point of incarceration pre trial is to mitigate flight risk. Someone who employs 18 people and can afford a $100k watch likely isn’t going to leave their life behind over a fine.

And when he is that wealthy keeping him out of jail is for his protection too. First thing that happens to anyone in jail is the gangs look you and your family up to see if you can be extorted. He’d be a prime target.

The whole point of incarceration post trial is to protect the public and rehabilitate the criminal. In this case, protecting the public from this guy buying more watches without paying taxes. Even when dodging taxes his purchases still benefit multiple people, without a cost to really anyone but the government who feels entitled to his money. So incarceration really doesn’t make sense.

This person has the value of 19 taxpayers; call it a slippery slope all you want. He has infinite more value to society than a beggar on the street. The beggar on the street isn’t providing jobs, paying taxes or contributing towards positive growth of society. The beggar is a hindrance; no matter how much right to life they have. In the eyes of the law, they have to treat people differently as a result. If you can’t pay money to absolve you of your crimes you’re going to have to pay with your time since there’s nothing left to take. That doesn’t mean that they’re setting a different standard, just that in lieu of cash a different standard has to be upheld.



A beggar will never have to worry about dodging taxes on a $100k watch. And you likely won’t find anyone wealthy committing petty theft. What’s worse from a moral perspective is beyond me. Last Rolex I bought out of Canada was declared as $100 or something ridiculous on the customs form and I was genuinely upset as I’d rather pay the taxes and I didn’t request it. Never paid the taxes on the watch though and don’t feel bad about it. C’este la vie between sales and income taxes the governments get enough out of me

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by 77T

Would be an object lesson for anyone else.

No it wouldn't. Nobody thinks about prison time prior to comitting a crime, much less violating an administrative rule. It's a fallacy to believe otherwise.

Putting someone in prison for an administrative violation that doesn't harm anyone is a complete waste of limited prison space that can be used for criminals who harm people and need to be locked up. It's far better to exact the governments pound of flesh through hefty fines and paid expenses.