Rolex through customs

[Nilechamp]

Arriving at Gatwick 2 months ago wearing a Daytona and got pulled by Customs. They demanded to see my receipt which of course I didn't have. Guess it was a bored jobsworth. Anybody else have the same problems?

[McinRolex]

Did you get hit with duty?

[shaunylw]

Customs suck. Who would have a receipt with them for a current item they own lol. I’ve never been hit with that question but I’ve seen it happen enough where the watch goes in the backpack until after customs. I’m not paying tax on a watch i already own.


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[Tools]

I've traveled through customs hundreds of times, wearing many different Rolex and other watches.

Nobody has ever asked for a receipt for my watch.

[kieselguhr]

They’re going to ask all citizens walking in with a Rolex for a receipt now?

Sounds far fetched.

[inadeje]

Welcome to the forum. While I will not place the sincerity of your very first post in doubt, I find the narrative very tough to comprehend.

[jb335]

Hard to believe unless you had a box for it like it was a new purchase and they saw the box somehow....

[TswaneNguni]

Just wear a wearer with scratches,not a mint safe queen .

[rolexdd40yg]

Warranty card with date of purchase would be enough to prove the watch is not new ? Or you need to have the receipt of purchase ?

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by jb335

Hard to believe unless you had a box for it like it was a new purchase and they saw the box somehow....

Or it was a new watch, the OP declared it, and customs questioned whether the full value was declared.

[Mendota]

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark... I thought this only happens to people when they attempt to go through customs on the sly with an item that they bought while on the trip.

[franklee168]

About 5 years ago coming back into the US from a cruise, I've seen customs make people take off their watches to see how new they were. Not sure what happened after.

[Santiago32]

Originally Posted by franklee168

About 5 years ago coming back into the US from a cruise, I've seen customs make people take off their watches to see how new they were. Not sure what happened after.

how would they know how old it is?

[Sejanus]

Originally Posted by Santiago32

how would they know how old it is?

Scratches, marks etc. If it looks too new, they assume it is.

I've seen it happen too. I've known three people who have worn watches over the CAN/USA border (that they've owned) that got stopped and asked for proof of ownership. One of them talked their way out, one was detained for over six hours while customs researched value (and they got fined on top of it) and I can't recall what happened to the third. If customs is in a bad mood.. there is not a lot you can do.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Sejanus

Scratches, marks etc. If it looks too new, they assume it is.

I've seen it happen too. I've known three people who have worn watches over the CAN/USA border (that they've owned) that got stopped and asked for proof of ownership. One of them talked their way out, one was detained for over six hours while customs researched value (and they got fined on top of it) and I can't recall what happened to the third. If customs is in a bad mood.. there is not a lot you can do.

A good reason to carry photos of stamped warranty cards…

If one travels with multiple watches there’s also the issue of suspected importation violations. If I recall, only RUSA may import quantities of more than one for example.

[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark... I thought this only happens to people when they attempt to go through customs on the sly with an item that they bought while on the trip.

Or if their name is Billy Hayes....Billy?

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by Bizcut1

Or if their name is Billy Hayes....Billy?

Haha, Midnight Express! I've been meaning to read the book. Billy Hayes said Oliver Stone's film and portrayal of him was pure fiction, so I don't want to ruin the story by watching a crap movie first.

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[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Haha, Midnight Express! I've been meaning to read the book. Billy Hayes said Oliver Stone's film and portrayal of him was pure fiction, so I don't want to ruin the story by watching a crap movie first.

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Great movie - good book. Oliver Stone twisting history? No! Can't be!

[Sejanus]

Originally Posted by dannyp

A good reason to carry photos of stamped warranty cards…

If one travels with multiple watches there’s also the issue of suspected importation violations. If I recall, only RUSA may import quantities of more than one for example.

My understanding is at least up here on the Canadian side you can register items like watches with customs ahead of time and then you can just have that info on file so they don't bug you about it. Not sure if other customs have such services.

[TunaTuna]

Unless you also had the box in your bag, there is no reason why they should have questioned you

[ltmgeller]

I’ve heard of this happening before. Most members here have way too many pics of their watches which can help prove you’ve owned the watch before a trip.

[russ86]

I never had any issues myself BUT I was a witness for this: I was traveling few year sago, coming from Europe to US, I was wearing my 16710 Pepsi, went through customs no problem. BUT listen to this, my friend who was traveling with me was wearing his Breguet Marine. He got stopped and the customs, and the guy was like, this is a brand new watch, you bought it on your trip, you have to pay duty. He was like wtf, I own this watch for years (which he did). And like this back and forward. They took the watch, started inspecting it for scratches and what not. My friend was BEYOND angry. They were demanding paper work and he was like where will I get you papers from it now? The paper work was somewhere at his house or in a bank, he wasn't even sure where it was. Long story short, it was a s&*t show. In the end he showed them pictures on his iPhone with him wearing this watch, soem instagram posts and they let him go eventually. What a waste of 40 minutes trying to prove that the watch you own is the watch you own.

[JEdwardK]

Originally Posted by Nilechamp

Arriving at Gatwick 2 months ago wearing a Daytona and got pulled by Customs. They demanded to see my receipt which of course I didn't have. Guess it was a bored jobsworth. Anybody else have the same problems?

Do you keep the stickers on your watch?
LOL

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[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by shaunylw

Who would have a receipt with them for a current item they own lol.

For any watches that my wife and I are wearing, always. Or more likely, a good quality scan, in with all my other travel paperwork.

If it isn't obviously old and used, it's up to me to prove I am not trying to import it without paying tax and duty due. The "jobsworth" is doing their job, which is what they are paid for.

It's up to each of us to manage such situations as we see appropriate. And to deal with the outcome. In the unlikely event that the watch is wrongly confiscated you will get it back when you have the necessary proof.

I have been asked on occasion. I used to travel a lot. The law of averages dictates that if it can happen, it will happen if I go through frequently enough. I tend not to go with the "haven't you got any criminals to catch today?" defence. Subjectively, things tend to run smoother.

[TimepieceRPP]

The officials may just want to see your daytona by making such excuse. Haha

[Daveclock]

Best to wear your big fluffy jumper - no matter the weather - it conceals the wrist better!

[dmash]

I’ve been telling people this for years on here and people didn’t believe me. Even as far as claiming I was liar. It’s getting worse every year, in many countries, they’re really trying to capitalize on customs income.

[rambo99]

were you wearing a fully stickered daytona?

[fnfiveseven]

He probably just wanted you to take it off while he went off to the back and tried it on and took some pics for IG claiming its hes.

[DonRickles]

Welcome OP! Wearing a Daytona in public, let alone traveling with it.....

Now let's see a picture or three of that awesome Daytona!

So, why did you wait 2 months to tell the tale??????



EDITED:

Two hints for ease of Global travel:

1. TSA Pre Check
2. Global Entry

If you have these, passing thru security at worldwide airports is a breeze......

No removing of clothing or shoes walk straight through with a speedier check, etc.

Well worth the expense and jumping through the hoopes!