Transporting an entire collection

[Hkexpat183]

Hoping to get some advice from people that may have moved around the world a bit.

I currently live in HK. If I were to uproot and move my family back to the states what is the best and safest way to transport my collection?

My initial thought would be to put the collection in my case that holds 12 watches and just put it in my carry on and then ship the boxes and papers separately.

The only risk with this being stopped at customs.

Open to any suggestions or thoughts. Be great to hear other methods from people who have had to make a move back to states.

Thanks.

[kilyung]

I think anything you bring back through customs is subject to CBP Form 6059B - Customs Declaration. As such they'll levy duties on the value of your watches. Given the value of your collection, that could be hefty. You could ship all the non-Rolex watches back and carry-on your Rolexes. However it's probably best to contact CBP about any exemptions for personal effects.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Hkexpat183

Hoping to get some advice from people that may have moved around the world a bit.

I currently live in HK. If I were to uproot and move my family back to the states what is the best and safest way to transport my collection?

My initial thought would be to put the collection in my case that holds 12 watches and just put it in my carry on and then ship the boxes and papers separately.

The only risk with this being stopped at customs.

Open to any suggestions or thoughts. Be great to hear other methods from people who have had to make a move back to states.

Thanks.

As long as you have the receipts for the watches and paid the taxes in the country that you bought them. Then you should not have a problem whether its one watch or a hundred.

[redsubby]

Originally Posted by padi56

As long as you have the receipts for the watches and paid the taxes in the country that you bought them. Then you should not have a problem whether its one watch or a hundred.

What if the watches were bought from individuals or grey dealers and they don't come with receipts?

[Furbo]

Isn't it forbidden to bring more than one Rolex to the USA?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by redsubby

What if the watches were bought from individuals or grey dealers and they don't come with receipts?

Well then you should go to your Customs Declaration and fill in the appropriate forms.

[Andad]

If you want to keep them all without problems I would ring US Customs and ask them how best to do this.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how easy it will be.

[redsubby]

I just don't see how they can make you pay taxes on your personal belongings as the original owners or yourself have already paid taxes on them, not just on watches but with other items too. Another member said he had to pay taxes on all his stuff when he relocated to another country which I think is ridiculous...you have to pay taxes on the stuff you already owned?

[kryten2001]

Surely personal items bought when living overseas attract no tax for migrants... Otherwise every time you migrate you'd have to pay tax on everything you own..

As far as I'm aware, taxes are only payable on goods bought overseas if you're a national.

[Hkexpat183]

I am a US citizen. My wife is not. Perhaps I just say the watches are my wives if I get stopped.

[Thatguy]

Originally Posted by directioneng

If you want to keep them all without problems I would ring US Customs and ask them how best to do this.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how easy it will be.

I would start there.

[HRFdez]

Just a little 411....Kind of related to the topic....

http://www.beckertime.com/blog/2012/...re-your-rolex/

Most interesting statement,

"According to US Customs, an individual can hand carry one Rolex from a trip overseas without permission. Carrying more than one Rolex watch from outside of the country is a trademark violation of Rolex U.S.A. and they can be impounded".

[subtona]

Originally Posted by HRFdez

Just a little 411....Kind of related to the topic....

http://www.beckertime.com/blog/2012/...re-your-rolex/

Most interesting statement,

"According to US Customs, an individual can hand carry one Rolex from a trip overseas without permission. Carrying more than one Rolex watch from outside of the country is a trademark violation of Rolex U.S.A. and they can be impounded".

That seems to be referring to newly purchased watches... Does it hold true if the watch is several years old, and if so, how many years old puts you in the clear?

Im picturing a briefcase hand cuffed to your wrist.

If you ship boxes & papers separately does that avoid all scrutiny for the boxes & papers... Its not questioned at all?

Curious to hear the resolution to this?!

[kryten2001]

Originally Posted by HRFdez

Just a little 411....Kind of related to the topic....

http://www.beckertime.com/blog/2012/...re-your-rolex/

Most interesting statement,

"According to US Customs, an individual can hand carry one Rolex from a trip overseas without permission. Carrying more than one Rolex watch from outside of the country is a trademark violation of Rolex U.S.A. and they can be impounded".

Bringing in more than 1 is a trademark infringement?......

Looks like I'm never coming to the US...

[HRFdez]

Originally Posted by subtona

That seems to be referring to newly purchased watches... Does it hold true if the watch is several years old, and if so, how many years old puts you in the clear?
Im picturing a briefcase hand cuffed to your wrist.

If you ship boxes & papers separately does that avoid all scrutiny for the boxes & papers... Its not questioned at all?

Curious to hear the resolution to this?!

I am just curious if you may need those receipts as proof of ownership (for the pre-owned models). I am sure it also has to do with counterfeit issues.

[HRFdez]

Originally Posted by kryten2001

Bringing in more than 1 is a trademark infringement?......

Looks like I'm never coming to the US...

I guess they don't want the McFakeys circulating in the U.S.

Who knows why

[Hkexpat183]

Bumping this up as I still have no idea how i will bring my entire collection back to the states after living and working overseas for the last 7 years...

Any help or guidance would be appreciated...

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Hkexpat183

Bumping this up as I still have no idea how i will bring my entire collection back to the states after living and working overseas for the last 7 years...

Any help or guidance would be appreciated...

You should start here and my advice would be to contact someone by phone or email to discuss this situation.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/home

This is a bit of a special situation and would be covered under importation of personal articles. I do not want to "guess" regarding paperwork. Suffice to say, having receipts for everything will help.

You should also check with your shipping company as their brokers will have an idea regarding importation

[Survivor]

Originally Posted by Hkexpat183

Bumping this up as I still have no idea how i will bring my entire collection back to the states after living and working overseas for the last 7 years...

Any help or guidance would be appreciated...

Why wouldn't you, as the very first step, contact US Customs and get their official guideline on this subject rather than continue to inquire here on TRF (getting nothing more than best guesses or opinions about US Customs laws, which are of no help to you concerning the matter at hand) and know exactly what you are in for???? Then, you can do whatever you are comfortable with.

At the end of the day, are you truly going to rely on the information from some posters as to how to trick or fool US Customs into getting your watches here without paying duty or taxes??? Come on....

[zeuloa]

I would think the boxes could be confiscated as well as they have the Rolex logo therefore could fall under the trademark violation. I think someone here had issues when mailing a box into the us.

I would contact us customs first and possibly Rolex attorneys regarding the rolex in your collection as they can possibly give you permission to bring them in.

I'm sure it can be done. Many dealers bring plenty of watches to shows in the US, collectors travel with their watches (John Meyer comes to mind as he travels a lot and takes plenty of watches with him), etc.

A bit of patience and calling around, if not a good attorney should get you the answer.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Hkexpat183

Bumping this up as I still have no idea how i will bring my entire collection back to the states after living and working overseas for the last 7 years...

Any help or guidance would be appreciated...

You need to seek the help of the proper authorities.. Since you are a US citizen, you want to bring into the US multiple Trademarked items purchased outside the US.. This is strictly governed and could be confiscated if not imported properly.. It probably applies to your auto and other items as well as your Rolex collection.

You cannot simply say "they're my wife's" and expect that import/trademark laws would not apply to her.

Every country has it's own laws that govern entry and exit for citizens and non-citizens and many of the comments here (and other discussion forums) demonstrate a naivety about world travel and country laws..

If you are employed by a company that moves personnel back and forth, that may be the first place to go with your re-location questions.

[Fredrik]

Most countries have specific rules for citizens returning from living abroad, I only know of the Swedish. A quick search gave me these links for returning to the US as a citizen:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...-equipment-%26

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/lis...ack%20to%20USA

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...sehold-effects

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...ack%20to%20USA

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...0USA/related/1

[jolimont]

[blackout]

Originally Posted by jolimont

thats just wrong!

[cruvon]

Or even safer, maybe if you plan visiting Hong Kong often from the US anyway, keep the watches in a bank locker and carry 2 at a time, you and you wife can wear one each but will take 6 trips. Apparently it's not a trademark violation if you wear it on your wrist!

[Jocke]

I guess that's different rules when it comes to moving house, it's not regular import in this case. The most important thing
is that you declare the watches before entering so you will not be suspected of smuggling, then it can go really bad. Contact
the U.S. Customs for clearance, it is easy to be wise when it's too late.

[Jsan20]

Originally Posted by jolimont

This was exactly what I was thinking.

[T. Ferguson]

So when guys like Federer and Tiger travel and enter the US, how do they avoid confiscation? Obviously since they are brand ambassadors Rolex would waive trademark enforcement, but do you suppose they travel with a written waiver or does Rolex ship the watches for them?

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by redsubby

I just don't see how they can make you pay taxes on your personal belongings as the original owners or yourself have already paid taxes on them, not just on watches but with other items too. Another member said he had to pay taxes on all his stuff when he relocated to another country which I think is ridiculous...you have to pay taxes on the stuff you already owned?

They cannot....

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by padi56

as long as you have the receipts for the watches and paid the taxes in the country that you bought them. Then you should not have a problem whether its one watch or a hundred.

exactly...