U. S. Customs

[Kobin]

My wife and I will be going on a cruise later this year. We are planning to take a total of four watches with us, three Rolexes, one Heuer.

The cruise will end in New York and I was wondering if two watches each could create any problems with customs. We are not importing the watches as arrival in NYC will be early in the morning and we’re flying back to London on the same day in the evening.

We’ll wear one each on our wrists and carry one each in our hand luggage.

What do you think? Should I take copies of the purchase invoices with me or should I not bother? Am I just being too cautious?

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by Kobin

My wife and I will be going on a cruise later this year. We are planning to take a total of four watches with us, three Rolexes, one Heuer.

The cruise will end in New York and I was wondering if two watches each could create any problems with customs. We are not importing the watches as arrival in NYC will be early in the morning and we’re flying back to London on the same day in the evening.

We’ll wear one each on our wrists and carry one each in our hand luggage.

What do you think? Should I take copies of the purchase invoices with me or should I not bother? Am I just being too cautious?

I'd take the purchase invoices with you. It's only paper and it could save you a hassle with Customs.
As an aside, my wife and I have been on 19 cruises. We love em.

[beaglehusky]

I am not sure that just bringing invoices would be enough to keep you out of trouble. I am not a lawyer, but I think you may still be infringing on Rolex USA's trademark by bringing more than one watch per person, even if they are used.

If your travel were originated in the US, you could get a form signed and stamped at the airport showing that the watches are leaving the US and returning home with you.

It would not be worth to me bringing three, I would bring two Rolex and the Heuer.

[RichM]

Here's my story.

Bought my GMT on 9/1/12 and left for a cruise on 9/2 for Bermuda. I did make and take of copy of the invoice. Coming off the cruise in the U.S. I had the shiney new watch on and a short sleeve shirt. Hit customs and the only thing he cared about was if we had any liquor or cigarettes. Never even gave the watch a second look.

Just take the invoice in case. By the way, if I bought in Bermuda and got through Customs without a hitch I could have saved $500.

Have a nice trip.

[Poly]

I have travelled all over the world with many different watches and have never been asked where I bought it.
I suppose it's better to be safe than suffer the hassle, but I honestly think that customs employees are (and rightfully so) more concerned about other things.

[crfsocal]

I believe before traveling you can go to customs and they will give you a document to prove you had purchased before the trip.

I have traveled many times and the only time a customs official asked about the watch was, believe it or not, when I had my g-shock on... I looked at him like this has to be a joke, he just told me to move on BTW this was at Miami international...

[sea-dweller]

I would take a receipt with you. I've traveled all over the world with a Rolex on and have never been asked coming back to the US.

[joe100]

Easiest thing is just to wear one watch for the cruise. No hassle and you don't have to worry about the others walking.

[Kobin]

Originally Posted by Poly

I have travelled all over the world with many different watches and have never been asked where I bought it.
I suppose it's better to be safe than suffer the hassle, but I honestly think that customs employees are (and rightfully so) more concerned about other things.

I appreciate what you're saying but I am of course referring to the United States' peculiar trademark regulations.

[Kobin]

Originally Posted by joe100

Easiest thing is just to wear one watch for the cruise. No hassle and you don't have to worry about the others walking.

You're probably right. It's just that we both love to wear different watches on different occasions, i. e. day time and evenings.

[T. Ferguson]

The problem isn't two watches a piece, the issue is three Rolexes and only 2 people. The Tag is irrelevant.

There might some form you can fill out either in the UK or upon entry but I'd have no idea what it is. Obviously a US citizen traveling abroad can file a form when leaving but this essentially is to ensure that upon coming home the watches are not considered to be import items. But traveling to the US may be a bit trickier because it would require US customs to somehow verify that you're taking your watches back out with you when you leave.

You didn't mention if your wife is wearing a man's or woman's watch. If it's a man's take two that you would be happy switching with each other. Now you both can have day/night pieces and not have a customs problem.

[Tyl3r]

To go through all that effort to wear a different watch depending on the time of day seems silly to me. If you must bring them all, I guess purchase voices would be the only way to prove you purchased them at a prior date. However, why risk the possible aggravation?

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Tyl3r

To go through all that effort to wear a different watch depending on the time of day seems silly to me.

I agree, it's watch, wear one and have less issues and stress all around, especially when you are out and about and God know who is in your room.

It's plain silly to have multiple watches on a cruise IMHO

[Kobin]

Originally Posted by Tyl3r

To go through all that effort to wear a different watch depending on the time of day seems silly to me. If you must bring them all, I guess purchase voices would be the only way to prove you purchased them at a prior date. However, why risk the possible aggravation?

We have been on cruises before and we have always enjoyed wearing several watches - that's all. If it turns out to be too risky bringing more than one to the US, we'll just wear one each, obviously. No problem. But that's what I am trying to find out.

[Rootbeer]

Originally Posted by Kobin

We have been on cruises before and we have always enjoyed wearing several watches - that's all. If it turns out to be too risky bringing more than one to the US, we'll just wear one each, obviously. No problem. But that's what I am trying to find out.

As you're aware there's potential for problems, though the risk might be small.

Personally I wouldn't risk the last day of my holiday being spent mucking about with customs for the sake of having an extra watch for dinner. It's not what I would want to remember a holiday for.

[Jim M]

Fill out a customs form CBP Form 4457 and declare the watches, too!

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Kobin

I appreciate what you're saying but I am of course referring to the United States' peculiar trademark regulations.

It's not just the USA, and it isn't the USA "peculiar trademark regulations"

It is Rolex who has applied for and been granted "Trademark Protection". That protection says, by law, an individual can only "import" (carry across the border into the US) one Trademark protected watch, and it must be worn on your person.

It doesn't have anything to do with customs, or tariffs, or duty-to-be-paid, or even if you can prove that you bought them all before you left the country. It has to do with physically carrying them across the border.

Whether you get away with it or not is a different discussion, as is the always offered "carry a receipt", which is meaningless as regards Trademark Protection.

[Kobin]

Too much hassle, decision made, one Rolex each.

Cheers guys!

[Lgear080]

Do not put any watches in luggage. Ever. For that matter anything of value.

Very high likelihood they'll be snagged.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's not just the USA, and it isn't the USA "peculiar trademark regulations"

It is Rolex who has applied for and been granted "Trademark Protection". That protection says, by law, an individual can only "import" (carry across the border into the US) one Trademark protected watch, and it must be worn on your person.

It doesn't have anything to do with customs, or tariffs, or duty-to-be-paid, or even if you can prove that you bought them all before you left the country. It has to do with physically carrying them across the border.

Whether you get away with it or not is a different discussion, as is the always offered "carry a receipt", which is meaningless as regards Trademark Protection.

Excellent explanation

[c.capt]

Originally Posted by Tools

It's not just the USA, and it isn't the USA "peculiar trademark regulations"

It is Rolex who has applied for and been granted "Trademark Protection". That protection says, by law, an individual can only "import" (carry across the border into the US) one Trademark protected watch, and it must be worn on your person.

It doesn't have anything to do with customs, or tariffs, or duty-to-be-paid, or even if you can prove that you bought them all before you left the country. It has to do with physically carrying them across the border.

Whether you get away with it or not is a different discussion, as is the always offered "carry a receipt", which is meaningless as regards Trademark Protection.

Larry, the watch doesn't have to be "worn". It would be fine, for example, if it was in one of your carry-on bags.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by c.capt

Larry, the watch doesn't have to be "worn". It would be fine, for example, if it was in one of your carry-on bags.

Yes, that is true... You do not have to actually be wearing it, however, you do need to be in possession of it..

Here is the pertinent section of the exemption in the Code of Federal Regulations that allows you to import one Rolex.

"The exemption provided for at 19 C.F.R. § 148.55 explicitly requires the merchandise to accompany the person arriving within the United States. Therefore, transportation or shipment by any means that is not accompanying the traveler-importer arriving in the United States does not permit application of the exemption."

[dadonn2]

I don't wish to be a thread hijacker here but the case seems to have been closed. Just to confirm something- were I to travel abroad and buy a Rolex, I am legally allowed to bring it back to the US so long as it's one watch and accompanying me (i.e. on my wrist or in my carry on). Is this correct?

[c.capt]

Originally Posted by dadonn2

I don't wish to be a thread hijacker here but the case seems to have been closed. Just to confirm something- were I to travel abroad and buy a Rolex, I am legally allowed to bring it back to the US so long as it's one watch and accompanying me (i.e. on my wrist or in my carry on). Is this correct?

As long as you only have one. Just to be clear, that includes items you brought with you as well. For example you can't wear a Rolex when you leave and then buy another overseas and bring it back. Even though you only bought one new one overseas, you would be importing two on your way back in.

[kilyung]

Don't forget the legal requirement to declare such a purchase - just saying.

[Old Expat Beast]

This threads reminds me of the 1980s, and the red tape involved with bringing electrical goods & cameras into China.

[dadonn2]

Thank you all. I appreciate it.

[fishingbear]

Not sure about GB but here in the US Customs has a "Form 4457" that identifies personal effects taken abroad. Before I travel out of the country with anything expensive (cameras, lenses, watches, laptops, outfitting gear, etc...) I fill them out and get them stamped at U. S. Customs that way there is no issue. It also certifies you own the item while abroad if there are any issues that may come up on your travels. You only have to fill out a form once for the item and just keep a copy for any travels in the future.
One thing of interest when identifying anything is the items have to have a serial #; fine for many things like watches but not so much with the wife's jewelry.

[riseboi]

Originally Posted by Jim M

Fill out a customs form CBP Form 4457 and declare the watches, too!

Does this pretty much ensure no hassles upon return to the US. I'm leaving for Cancun tomorrow and was just going to bring my ExpII, but now thinking of taking the SDc too. Im fine with just one watch, but would like to have 2 as long as it's not too much of a hassle.

[alexthegreat123]

Take a picture of your receipt on your cell to show it by request and travel safe