Customs Nightmare, Need some Help

[sm84]

Hi Folks,

A while back I had asked for some advice traveling out of the US to a few destinations with a solid gold DD40.

The advice I received was that as long as it is a personal item, I have a receipt etc, then I shouldn't have a problem.

However, I was stopped at customs in India and asked to pay duty which made me jump out of my skin. Regardless of showing the receipt that the watch was purchased in the US, my purpose of visit etc, I was subject to this ordeal. Long story short, I was allowed to finally leave without any duty thanks to the kindness of the officer. The choices I had were to pay duty or leave the watch in their possession until the day of my departure.

This incident really shook me to the core. What does this mean? That I have to pay duty in every country I carry a gold watch? Does anyone know what kind of options tourists or foreigners to other countries have in such cases of travel? Is there anything legal options?

Now, I am bit concerned if I will face any issues while exiting India or if I will have similar issues at the US port of entry.

Anyone with extensive travel history or having visited countries like this can help on this one? Please?

[thesharkfactor]

Was it on your wrist or in the box within your luggage?

[sm84]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Was it on your wrist or in the box within your luggage?

This is the interesting part. It was on my wrist, until I went past immigration, and prior to the exit, all passengers had to have their luggage screened and walk through a metal detector. The signs said, put wallets and belongings in the bag, so I did that and put my watch in my backpack which got detected. One way or the other it would have been detected.

The worst part of this ordeal was that, when it was detected, the first officer informed the customs officical that it was not on my wrist and it was in my bag. What a catch 22 situation.

Now, that is my concern while exiting the country. Do I wear it and go through security or leave it in my bag?

[Auto16610]

Never take it off. That is what the wand is for.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

Never take it off. That is what the wand is for.

Agreed! I wear a Cartier Love bracelet which is solid gold. It always always makes the metal detector go off, so I have to always get wanded since the bracelet can't be removed (without the screwdriver). I would never take my watch off, I'm used to getting wanded whenever I travel because of my bracelet. Same goes for a watch.

[Endoscopist]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

Agreed! I wear a Cartier Love bracelet which is solid gold. It always always makes the metal detector go off, so I have to always get wanded since the bracelet can't be removed (without the screwdriver). I would never take my watch off, I'm used to getting wanded whenever I travel because of my bracelet. Same goes for a watch.

I was just thinking of this exact situation. My wife wears a love bracelet and I wear a SS submariner. The Cartier often triggers the metal detector and it seems like (at least in the US) they are pretty familiar that they do not come off and, without much fuss, they bring her over, wand the bracelet and that's done with.

I agree with not taking my watch off when going through the scanners, but I was asked once. I politely declined and asked for them to inspect it instead. I do not see why the Cartier gets a pass and a watch could not, but I could see them demanding a Rolex be removed simply because they know it can (much easier than a love bracelet), which is obviously unfair.

Also interestingly, I was once asked by a US customs agent when re-entering the US from Aruba. She said "sir, what watch are you wearing?" I replied "my watch." She asked "what brand is it, can I see?" I held up the clasp for her to see and didn't say anything else. She disengaged the conversation and let us proceed. I guess she was trying to see if I had bought it in Aruba, which I had not. But, interesting nonetheless as they ARE watching...

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Auto16610

Never take it off. That is what the wand is for.

Good advice.

[sm84]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

Was it on your wrist or in the box within your luggage?

"This is the interesting part. It was on my wrist, until I went past immigration, and prior to the exit, all passengers had to have their luggage screened and walk through a metal detector. The signs said, put wallets and belongings in the bag, so I did that and put my watch in my backpack which got detected. One way or the other it would have been detected.

The worst part of this ordeal was that, when it was detected, the first officer informed the customs officical that it was not on my wrist and it was in my bag. What a catch 22 situation."

There was no box or anything, just a protecting pouch so that it doesn't get scratched up in the backpack. I purchased it in the US and was traveling to India.

[thesharkfactor]

This is the part of airports that bothers me - what to do with my watch. Bag or tray.. I think wrist until they tell me to take it off.

Interested to hear the responses to this one myself..

[sm84]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

This is the part of airports that bothers me - what to do with my watch. Bag or tray.. I think wrist until they tell me to take it off.

Interested to hear the responses to this one myself..

I edited my response to include this "The worst part of this ordeal was that, when it was detected, the first officer informed the customs officical that it was not on my wrist and it was in my bag. What a catch 22 situation."

I think the biggest issue here was that it was a "GOLD" watch.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by sm84

I edited my response to include this "The worst part of this ordeal was that, when it was detected, the first officer informed the customs officical that it was not on my wrist and it was in my bag. What a catch 22 situation."

I think the biggest issue here was that it was a "GOLD" watch.

Yep, maybe best to keep it on your wrist.

[sm84]

Irrespective, of whether it is on the wrist or in the bag, if one gets detained by customs what does that mean? Tourists, visitors, etc can't travel with a gold watch? if that is the case I just would like to know and not carry one.

I wonder if this would be the case with a SS watch that is a Rolex or any other luxury watch.

[geoffreyis]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

This is the part of airports that bothers me - what to do with my watch. Bag or tray.. I think wrist until they tell me to take it off.

Interested to hear the responses to this one myself..

Mine never leaves my wrist. Period.

[Divingdeep87]

Would be nice if all airports could agree to just leave it on the wrist - it’s like all airports have different rules.

[Old Expat Beast]

It can happen in Thailand, too. The duty paid doesn't always find its way into government coffers. Allegedly.

[168000]

What a horror story. I am always very careful with my watches (no gold one) depending of the countries I am traveling to.
A lawyer friend of mine advised me not to wear any valuables in countries known for active corruption from the authorities.
Better safe than sorry.
Are you still in India?

[sm84]

Originally Posted by 168000

What a horror story. I am always very careful with my watches (no gold one) depending of the countries I am traveling to.
A lawyer friend of mine advised me not to wear any valuables in countries known for active corruption from the authorities.
Better safe than sorry.
Are you still in India?

Yes 😞 which is why I was looking for any help or advice regarding my return.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It can happen in Thailand, too. The duty paid doesn't always find its way into government coffers. Allegedly.

Exactly what I was thinking Adam

Sounds like someone was trying to make some easy money. Not uncommon in South Asia

[77T]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

It can happen in Thailand, too. The duty paid doesn't always find its way into government coffers. Allegedly.

That is what I thought too - an opportunistic customs person?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Rollieo]

White gold for the win!

[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by sm84

Now, I am bit concerned if I will face any issues while exiting India or if I will have similar issues at the US port of entry.

Anyone with extensive travel history or having visited countries like this can help on this one? Please?

I've never travelled to India but I can speak as to re-entering the USA. I've worn all sorts of watches from the 80's to now and never taken any off or had a customs agent ask me to take it off (I wouldn't unless they took me to a secured space). My 2 cents is that you're probably overthinking this. Things happen and fortunately, nothing negative occurred with your interactions with customs in India. Assume the best, have a plan for the worst, and just move on.

[sm84]

Originally Posted by Jerrocop

I've never travelled to India but I can speak as to re-entering the USA. I've worn all sorts of watches from the 80's to now and never taken any off or had a customs agent ask me to take it off (I wouldn't unless they took me to a secured space). My 2 cents is that you're probably overthinking this. Things happen and fortunately, nothing negative occurred with your interactions with customs in India. Assume the best, have a plan for the worst, and just move on.

Do you take it off at security check? Or do you walk through the detector?

[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by sm84

Do you take it off at security check? Or do you walk through the detector?

I walk through the detector with it on. At no point do I take it off.

[173rdabn]

Leave the gold at home. Wear another one that won't attract so much attention (and possibly jealousy).

[omar-rye]

I suspect this happened because it was in your bag. And if you had the receipt and/or the Rolex box with it, then that would definitely cause you problems.

I've politely refused to take my watch off at airports in North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and they have all been kind enough to let me keep it on. I give them the good ol' puppy face. Most of them don't even ask you to take it off.

[frank gama]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I suspect this happened because it was in your bag. And if you had the receipt and/or the Rolex box with it, then that would definitely cause you problems.

I've politely refused to take my watch off at airports in North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and they have all been kind enough to let me keep it on. I give them the good ol' puppy face. Most of them don't even ask you to take it off.

Exactly my approach.

[sm84]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I suspect this happened because it was in your bag. And if you had the receipt and/or the Rolex box with it, then that would definitely cause you problems.

I've politely refused to take my watch off at airports in North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and they have all been kind enough to let me keep it on. I give them the good ol' puppy face. Most of them don't even ask you to take it off.

I didn’t have any box. I only had a digital copy of the receipt and I showed it only when I was asked after I said it was my personal item.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by 173rdabn

Leave the gold at home. Wear another one that won't attract so much attention (and possibly jealousy).

This completely. Why self-inflict yourself with all this misery and hassle just to wear a DD. The watch and you would have both been much better off just leaving it at home.

[sm84]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

This completely. Why self-inflict yourself with all this misery and hassle just to wear a DD. The watch and you would have both been much better off just leaving it at home.

I don’t disagree. Those were my thoughts in the moment too but then why buy a Rolex even? I can start thinking that It will add more stress cos someone will steal it or so many such thoughts, right?

[ninjin]

This is corruption and nothing else...however...

It also highlights the point that you should be humble on travels and know your destination. Why the need to flex a watch that is worth more than a lifetimes salary? (Forbes says average annual Indian salary is US$387)