A customs question

[kris_ben42]

Hi,
I wondering if there will be any problems taking 6 rolexs from Canada, through customs in Hong Kong and Jakarta(is a final destination).
These watches are belong to my clients and me. I will be relocate to Jkt, so I have to take them all.
I thinking to register mine to Canada Customs just in case on the way back they will questions it. Receipts and appraisals will travel together with the watches. Please advise if I will be expecting any problem in Hong Kong, or Jakarta? Thank you for any thoughts.

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by ktmd

I can assure you that a Customs officer asking you about an expensive watch that appears to be new does not represent aggression. He is simply doing his job, and as a taxpayer you should appreciate that. If he truly wanted to be aggressive, he could have make your immediate future very, very inconvenient, to say the least.

Absolutely to the statement in bold, never cross a petty tyrant. Adverse selection is at work, and a certain personality type thrives in a job with an imbalance of status and authority.

The customs officer has zero status. None. The airport janitor has a master key, the cook gets free meals, the customs officer doesn't even have that. What the officer does have, as you learned, is the ability to humiliate and even hold you hostage or worse for an FTG* offense, which you obviously committed to some degree.



*Failure To Grovel offense.

[siewmaiwatch]

Originally Posted by dddrees

good recomendation for over zealous customs agents.

I don't think there is much they can really do, since it's only one and it's the one your wearing. Once in awhile there will be an over zealous agent who will want to try and give you a hard time. Sometimes you just have to be polite, know your rights, and wait them out.

x2

[xjeeunitx]

I would've beat his ass on the spot...

[RRGHOST1]

A friend of mine coming through customs(in the UK) was stopped, and took him into a room with a light in his face and grilled for a full hour on where he bought his Datejust from. This bloke by the way was a millionair and drove a Rolls Royce, they tried to get him on VAT evasion. He told me about his ordeal and since then i have always taken the receipt or the warranty card. He said imagine what they do to drug smugglers if what happened to him was only over a watch.

[Tools]

I've been on dozens of cruises including many in and out of Miami.. My wife and I always wear a Rolex..

I have never been stopped or even questioned about my watch..

[(DMB)]

The comments in these "Customs" threads always crack me up.

[paverman]

Originally Posted by Tools

I've been on dozens of cruises including many in and out of Miami.. My wife and I always wear a Rolex..

I have never been stopped or even questioned about my watch..

I've had the same experiences that Larry has. I've traveled out of the country many times, usually with 3-4 watches including Rolex, Patek and AP and have never been questioned. Maybe I've just been lucky, but that's been my experience.

[TimingsEverything]

Originally Posted by Rizzo

What you can do if you want to travel with your watch outside the US is to get a Certificate of Registration For Personal Effects Taken Abroad Form 4457. You can receive this certificate from Customs and Border Protection Officers before you depart. It provides documentation that you had the items with you before you departed the country.

Use this form. You need to have it signed by a customs officer before you leave. Used to be almost mandatory to avoid hassles when returning from Asia.

[Runnin' Rebel]

I flew into Miami from Brazil May of this year and they held me for 4 hours in a detention room. This guys are so out of line some times. I've been through Miami like 20 times, you would think they would know me by now. FBI took 4 hours to get there.

Blond hair, green eyes, yeah, I'm a terrorist according to my USA passport. Born in Libya, COME ON !!!!!!!!! clowns !!!

[Tri-Tip]

Returning from a 2-week cruise to Hawaii, the brilliant customs officer asked if I had been away on business or pleasure. What a tool.