Swiss VAT & Customs Duties

[Playinwittime]

I am planning a trip for Watches & Wonders 2024 to Geneva. This will be my fifth time in Switzerland (Baselworld 2017, 2018 and other trips) and third time in Geneva.

Does anyone have recent intel as to the "shakedown" state of bringing in a couple of your own watches into the country? Sometimes countries, have enforcement laws that they make known they are not enforcing, e.g. federal US laws for marijuana possesion. There were the scares with the Fratello journalist that paid 4000CHF in either fines, VAT or both for his personal watches and others in attending Baselworld 2019 and beyond, but I'm looking for any news about changes in enforcement or Swiss import laws. This is not a thread about tax evasion, it is simply asking whether, for example, all personal goods exceeding 300CHF are subject to VAT, such that, even if you bring a single Rolex or Patek and declare it, you will pay VAT or not. Even Swiss Customs' website has conflicting information in that regard. Of course, I would bring my receipt from purchase, but if I'm paying VAT anyway on anything valued over 300CHF, then it will be a Casio or nothing for me. I'd really like to enjoy taking a better piece or pieces. Serious thoughts?

[drrd]

I don’t think anyone can say anything for certain about what your experience will be moving across borders with valuables.

You may get no questions at all. You may be asked to prove you purchased it and your receipt is adequate proof. You may be asked to prove you had legitimate funds to have made the purchase ie proof you are not laundering money.

If you’re just wearing it for pleasure then I think leave it at home.

If you’re selling/trading then gather as much information as you can and take your chances.

[Gva1985]

Pretty sure nobody will bother you at the border in Geneva because of your watches, don’t worry and enjoy W&W imho

[brandrea]

I just flew into Zurich and out of Geneva for the Christmas holidays, wearing my BLRO. No issues.

FWIW, I always carry a digital copy of my original receipt, warranty card and date stamped pictures of my watch, just in case I’m ever asked.

[Rickkk]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I just flew into Zurich and out of Geneva for the Christmas holidays, wearing my BLRO. No issues.

FWIW, I always carry a digital copy of my original receipt, warranty card and date stamped pictures of my watch, just in case I’m ever asked.

Sounds like a lot of effort to wear a watch especially if you have a big collection

[Batmannr1]

Flew in and out of Geneva in May past year, the misses and me wearing a nice watch. No issue at all. Thousands of people are visiting Switzerland every year accompanied by expensive timepieces. As long as the Swiss Customs do not perceive you as a watch trader, who wants to smuggle in watch rolls full of merchandise, you will be perfectly fine.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Rickkk

Sounds like a lot of effort to wear a watch especially if you have a big collection

No effort at all, just snap a few pictures for each reference and keep them in your phone.


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[londondude]

I’ve travelled my entire life across European borders and I’ve never had any problems. No one ever asked me anything. I got my first Rolex for my 18th birthday so unfortunately that’s many, many years ago!

[Fredrik]

The correct way to do it is with a temporary export from your home country and a temporary import into Switzerland. Customs are usually very helpful.

[XtraCrispy]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I just flew into Zurich and out of Geneva for the Christmas holidays, wearing my BLRO. No issues.

FWIW, I always carry a digital copy of my original receipt, warranty card and date stamped pictures of my watch, just in case I’m ever asked.

I do the same. I have my watches and my wife's jewelry receipts all scanned into my computer and then I just download them into my Files on my iPhone - simple.

I've only been asked once to show proof of ownership while traveling.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by XtraCrispy

I do the same. I have my watches and my wife's jewelry receipts all scanned into my computer and then I just download them into my Files on my iPhone - simple.

I've only been asked once to show proof of ownership while traveling.

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[drrd]

Originally Posted by XtraCrispy

I do the same. I have my watches and my wife's jewelry receipts all scanned into my computer and then I just download them into my Files on my iPhone - simple.

I've only been asked once to show proof of ownership while traveling.

That wouldn’t necessarily have helped the Fratello journalist who had more than one watch and was attending W&W.

Neither would it help if a government body like the U.K.’s NCA used a border interaction as an excuse to issue an ‘unexplained wealth order’ (or equivalent, as I’m sure there will be in other countries).

[Seo]

I think a lot of respondents are replying here without knowing the documented history behind this.

When I visited Geneva last September I wasn't checked but please see the article linked below.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/bewa...-watches/#gref

[Gva1985]

Originally Posted by Seo

I think a lot of respondents are replying here without knowing the documented history behind this.

When I visited Geneva last September I wasn't checked but please see the article linked below.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/bewa...-watches/#gref

Chances of being stopped at the airport are much lower than with the train, if you take trains and planes in and out of Switzerland it is easy to verify. Second, in the remote case you are stopped you should never lie to a customs officer like the journalist did. This is what pisses them out the most.

[bostonjetset]

Was the issue because he had multiple watches and then said he had nothing to declare? Does a person have to declare their one personal watch that’s on their wrist when entering Switzerland? That seems a bit crazy if so.

[7enderbender]

I don’t see how you would owe anything as an American traveling to Switzerland wearing your personal watch. You’re not importing anything.
I’d be more concerned about coming back to the states. Last time I came back into ATL the officer probed me a bit and specifically asked I found any good deals on a Rolex oversees (after noticing my Sea Dweller I guess). I just laughed pointing out that there is no such thing as a “good deal” these days and we left it at that.
So whatever you buy, declare it on your way back.
Keep pictures and receipts of your current property.

[INC]

https://www.hinterlandtravel.com/switzerland/customs

https://www.ch.ch/en/customs/bringin...tzerland/#cash
https://www.ch.ch/en/customs/shoppin...hrough-customs

[INC]

[x] double...

[Henrimontgomery]

Just don't come with a collection of watches. Bring only the one you'll wear.

If you plan on bringing many watches to rotate them, dont. It's not worth the risk.

[DtownRRS]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

Just don't come with a collection of watches. Bring only the one you'll wear.

If you plan on bringing many watches to rotate them, dont. It's not worth the risk.

I think MB has is right!

[Playinwittime]

Thanks for all that responded.

This is exactly what I would be concerned about in the EU or, in this case, Switzerland.

https://www.tmz.com/2024/01/17/arnol...h-atm-tax-law/


I believe it best to bring my $25 Casio G-Shock and leave it at that. :(

[Gva1985]

Originally Posted by Playinwittime

Thanks for all that responded.

This is exactly what I would be concerned about in the EU or, in this case, Switzerland.

https://www.tmz.com/2024/01/17/arnol...h-atm-tax-law/


I believe it best to bring my $25 Casio G-Shock and leave it at that. :(

Well in this case he wanted to sell the watch at auction, different story imho

[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by Playinwittime

Thanks for all that responded.

This is exactly what I would be concerned about in the EU or, in this case, Switzerland.

https://www.tmz.com/2024/01/17/arnol...h-atm-tax-law/


I believe it best to bring my $25 Casio G-Shock and leave it at that. :(

This isn’t the same. He’s selling a watch, You’re bringing a personal item into Switzerland. No need to panic or be fearful. There won’t be any fines or import duties.


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[Playinwittime]

Originally Posted by Gva1985

Well in this case he wanted to sell the watch at auction, different story imho

My concern is that auctioning the watch was tenative and not certain nor did the auction already take place in which he had auctioned the watch. So, I find it difficult to believe that the decision turned on his admission that he might auction it off. I am a lawyer, but not a Swiss lawyer. Nonetheless, I find it really difficult to believe that it would turn on his speculation that he might auction it.

[fooey]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I just flew into Zurich and out of Geneva for the Christmas holidays, wearing my BLRO. No issues.

FWIW, I always carry a digital copy of my original receipt, warranty card and date stamped pictures of my watch, just in case I’m ever asked.

Great idea that

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[yankeeromeo]

Post the box wear the watch ?


Obviously pay the duty is the right answer

[SDGT3]

Remember the good 'ol days when the threads were "is it safe to travel to "insert city or country here" with my Rolex? Now it's, will customs and duty officials impose an import tax and criminal tax charges if I bring a watch into their country...

[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by Playinwittime

My concern is that auctioning the watch was tenative and not certain nor did the auction already take place in which he had auctioned the watch. So, I find it difficult to believe that the decision turned on his admission that he might auction it off. I am a lawyer, but not a Swiss lawyer. Nonetheless, I find it really difficult to believe that it would turn on his speculation that he might auction it.

Not sure I agree with you here. If he admitted that he was thinking of listing the watch in an auction then it seems reasonable that the Swiss agency would interpret that as intent to sell it, therefore taxes or duties would apply. If he didn’t intend on selling it he wouldn’t have brought it up.


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[Spoonage]

I don't think they can charge you tax or duties if it's something you already own and can prove that.

[barters]

I live in Geneva. Nobody at customs will stop you to pay tax on your personal watch, or your iPad, or your phone.
Nobody will shake you down. This isn't a failed state you are travelling to.....

Now if you come with a number of watches along with their original boxes & certs that would look suspicious as there would be grounds to think that you intended to sell them.