Traveling with your high value pieces

[Rani Drama]

This is not a thread about safety or theft etc... What I want to know about is traveling through various customs throughout the world. I am thinking of getting an all gold GMT master if I can find one at a good deal and I travel quite a bit between a couple countries. I doubt I would have any issues with one country but might have an issue coming back to Canada or Poland. I am a citizen of three countries and might contemplate moving to one of them. But don't want to give up everything in one just to live in another. What would happen if I buy a gold GMT In one and travel around between all 3. Could I get into issues with customs? I would be bouncing around quite frequently. Does anyone have any experience with this?

[STEELINOX]

I never had a problem transporting hi-value timepieces between countries...

[esm]

as long as you are wearing it through the custom and it is "not" brand new, it should be okay. im a citizen of 2 countries, and have had no problems.... (obviously i dont purposely show my watch going through the customs..)

[psv]

I don't quite get it. It is your watch right and you will be wearing it, thus it is used, why would any custom/border officials care? It is not like you are going to keep the plastick stickers on it, keep it in the box and travel around with it in a box?

Otherwise, just make sure you have a rider on your home insurance that covers any possible loss/theft.

Recommendation nr 2: there is a guy, Bulltrapper, I think it is over at TZ selling a gorgeous LNIB one (I have no connection to the seller).

Recommendation nr 3: look at the TT GMTIIC as well. A lot less blingy but still dressy. TT's are very much back in fashion over in Europe.

[landroverking]

I have never had a problem wearing a high dollar watch from country to country, now there are times walking that I might keep my hand in my pocket, but I have done that in the US as well.

[Watch Professor]

I travel with a copy of the sales receipt which includes the serial # of the watch. If there's any question, just show them the receipt

[sea-dweller]

I have never had a problem with customs (US or international destinations) while wearing my Rolex on travels.

[Rani Drama]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

I travel with a copy of the sales receipt which includes the serial # of the watch. If there's any question, just show them the receipt

Yes exactly i will be doing that with my other things and my sub. They once stopped me and inquired about my camera gear. I was gone for 8 months and took my full kit with me on my way back they hassled me even though everything was used. and on top of that i missed my connecting flight.

The thing that worries me is that if i buy the watch in a destination other than canada when i travel back i am worried they will ask me to claim it even though i will be travelling shortly again with it. They mentioned that when i leave canada with something valuable i should declare it before leaving seems like a royal PITA.

Another question i have. what happens when i buy something second hand and don't have any papers even if i bought it in Canada.

I'm not going to lie all of this makes me want to be content with my sub and find another hobby.

To clarify i am talking about pieces that kind of scream this is expensive like a solid yellow gold etc...

[psv]

If you have that type of job and travel to those type of places (including the famously tough Canadian custom officials) I'd be happy with your ss Sub and move on.

[oct2121]

Originally Posted by Rani Drama

This is not a thread about safety or theft etc... What I want to know about is traveling through various customs throughout the world. I am thinking of getting an all gold GMT master if I can find one at a good deal and I travel quite a bit between a couple countries. I doubt I would have any issues with one country but might have an issue coming back to Canada or Poland. I am a citizen of three countries and might contemplate moving to one of them. But don't want to give up everything in one just to live in another. What would happen if I buy a gold GMT In one and travel around between all 3. Could I get into issues with customs? I would be bouncing around quite frequently. Does anyone have any experience with this?

You wouldn't have any problems in Europe or Canada but be careful if you travel in the US and get to answer questions to the US Customs. You may lose your watch and your money.
It happen to me couple years ago when I came back to Vegas from Europe and had some big denomination casino chips from Casino Monte Carlo. These chips have no money value in the US but I got in trouble due to a smart a** US custom servant.
Che,

[Txr]

Originally Posted by Rani Drama

This is not a thread about safety or theft etc... What I want to know about is traveling through various customs throughout the world. I am thinking of getting an all gold GMT master if I can find one at a good deal and I travel quite a bit between a couple countries. I doubt I would have any issues with one country but might have an issue coming back to Canada or Poland. I am a citizen of three countries and might contemplate moving to one of them. But don't want to give up everything in one just to live in another. What would happen if I buy a gold GMT In one and travel around between all 3. Could I get into issues with customs? I would be bouncing around quite frequently. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Customs can take your watch unless you can prove that you bought it in Canada or paid taxes for it. This happened 2 years ago where they took some womans $15000 engagement ring...


This is probably rare, but would you take the chance?

All this can be avoided if you go to customs at the border or airport and get a form where you write "Rolex watch, SN34535".

If anybody asks you about the watch, you will show the paper and have no problems.

Is this a hassle? Yes

Is it likely anybody will hassle you for a $5000 SS watch? No

It will probably work similarly for the other countries you are a citizen of.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

I travel with a copy of the sales receipt which includes the serial # of the watch. If there's any question, just show them the receipt

Exactly but would doubt if you would be ever asked for it.

[esm]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

I travel with a copy of the sales receipt which includes the serial # of the watch. If there's any question, just show them the receipt

That's what I'd do too, even with pre-owned items from a shop. Just gott make sure all the essential details are on the sale receipt.
This maybe a slight issue if bought from a private seller though....

[bayerische]

As long as you don't transport it in it's box, you won't be troubeled. Millions of watches on peoples wrists travelling trough customs every day.

[bayerische]

I don't think anyone at customs would imagine someone catering around the receipt With them. If it's on your wrist why would they even ask. Some women wear a LOT of jewelry, would they carry along the receipts?