Alligator strap seized at border crossing

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Deafboy

·Mar 7, 2022·His Holiness Puer Surdus

Yesterday my wife and I drove across the Canadian border to the US on our return to our home in Boston. The border agent decided to have the vehicle and its contents searched. Apparently they did this to all vehicles that day. Anyway, my wife had a few watches in her luggage, including a Reverso with an JLC alligator strap. They decided to confiscate the strap because of the possibility of being an endangered species. The strap showed wear and was clearly used. In fact my wife bought the watch used several years ago with this strap and once considered replacing it. The border agents spent well over an hour trying to figure out what to do with the strap and procedures to follow. Anyway, we had to cut the strap from the watch and leave it with the border agents. 🙁

So we were quite surprised by the whole incident. Never expected this to happen. If my wife had worn the watch (instead of being stored in the luggage) it probably would have gone unnoticed. Alligator straps are quite common in luxury watches, yet I don't think people cross borders with CITES certificates to prevent confiscation of their watches.

I wonder if this kind of incident has happened to other OF members.
Share your thoughts!

 

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Jones in LA

·Mar 7, 2022·Not in LA anymore.

Yikes! Never heard of that happening with a simple, used watch strap on entry to the US. Sorry for the sucky experience you had.

And thanks, also for the heads-up. Mrs. Jones and I are headed out of the US for a few weeks next month, and will be sure to remove anything remotely croc-looking from the watches we bring with us.

 

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Tony C.

·Mar 7, 2022·Ωf Jury member

I no longer ship watches to the U.S. with exotic leather straps, as it can delay the shipment significantly. It is much more likely to be an issue when FedEx is used, though, as everything is broken down clearly on a form for customs. In other words, they are much more likely slip through using regular mail.

In any case, there is no doubt that there has been a crackdown, but in my experience it began a few years ago.

Edited: Mar 9, 2022

 

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Donn Chambers

·Mar 7, 2022

Years ago, I purchased a crocodile hatband while in Australia and the salesperson made a big deal about the certificate and made sure I understood I needed to keep it with me to show customs. I declared I was importing a leather hatband when I returned to the States and I was pulled out of line and asked to show it — glad I had the certificate!

 

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Canuck

·Mar 7, 2022

On the way to an NAWCC regional 30 years ago, I took my (then) modest watch collection with me. We reached the US border at Coutts/Sweetgrass, Montana. The guard asked where we were going, and I told him. He asked what took us there, and I told him a watch collector convention. He asked if I was taking watches, and I told him I was. In short, they saw my watches, and threatened to melt them in two months unless I proved they weren’t fakes. Six hours later, they saw I wasn’t giving up my watches. They finally told me to take them back into Canada, because “fake” watch’s were forbidden. We went 38 kms north to Milk River (Alberta), rented a safety deposit box, left the watches, proceeded back to Sweetgrass. At the border again, the same guard asked me if I had left the watches behind. I told him that I had. He wished us a good holiday, but didn’t bother to check the car!

On the way back, I made it into Canada, parked the car, and walked back to the U S border post. I spoke to a lady who sympathized with the way I was treated. She then referred to two huge binders covering the job they are given to do! Didn’t make me feel a bit better!

 

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Wryfox

·Mar 7, 2022

So this is right out, then?

😗

 

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JwRosenthal

·Mar 7, 2022

Wryfox

So this is right out, then?

😗

Just wear it at the border crossing and you’ll be fine.

 

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cicindela

·Mar 7, 2022·Steve @ ΩF

Wryfox

So this is right out, then?

😗

Why yes !!! Of course that leather chair has to go, what were you thinking

 

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Nobel Prize

·Mar 7, 2022·Spell Master!

Wryfox

So this is right out, then?

😗

As long as you keep that yellow ribbon attached to the tail you'll be fine.

Well that and....also...don't use it as a watch strap.

 

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rspace

·Mar 8, 2022

JwRosenthal

Just wear it at the border crossing and you’ll be fine.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Mar 8, 2022

rspace

That’s perfectly fine, just don’t have any watches.

 

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Risto

·Mar 8, 2022

So, next time I visit US and bring my 1969 Speedmaster with me the customs would like me to prove it's not a fake. Perhaps I should then carry MWO book with me. Or I should have the original receipt!

 

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ghce

·Mar 8, 2022

Wryfox

So this is right out, then?

😗

Hmmm tag and release, I guess you forgot the release part lol

 

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josiahg52

·Mar 9, 2022

Risto

So, next time I visit US and bring my 1969 Speedmaster with me the customs would like me to prove it's not a fake. Perhaps I should then carry MWO book with me. Or I should have the original receipt!

I'm sure your watch will find a nice home with one of our border agents if you couldn't. They're just doing their part, you know. You should hear what happens to some of our completely innocent citizens well inside the borders who happen to get "caught" with sums of money that are "usually" associated with criminal behavior. They just take it.

 

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mzzleather

·Mar 9, 2022

tks for sharing and empathise your experience. US sure is picky about this. During auction rules, leather straps export/import rules are a common notice put out to inform bidders

 

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DaveK

·Mar 9, 2022·Yoda of Yodelers

A man who tried to slither past U.S. border agents in California had 52 lizards and snakes hidden in his clothing, authorities said Tuesday.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/52-rep...man-s-clothing-by-u-s-border-agents-1.5811823

 

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Evitzee

·Mar 9, 2022

It seems to be a recent fetish in the customs regime to be wildly concerned about leather origins. Auction houses now advertise that they remove straps before shipping. And I think I read somewhere where it is illegal to ship croc or alligator goods to California without CITES documentation, so don't bring your used watch strap on a trip there.

 

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connieseamaster

·Mar 9, 2022

Good grief. Glad my preferences tend towards ostrich and good old fashioned cow

 

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gatorcpa

·Mar 9, 2022·ΩF InvestiGator

Evitzee

And I think I read somewhere where it is illegal to ship croc or alligator goods to California without CITES documentation, so don't bring your used watch strap on a trip there.

That is correct, although the State of Louisiana is suing California over this law. Alligators and crocodiles have been legally farmed in Louisiana and Florida for many years (see this scene from 1973's James Bond film, "Live and Let Die").

As I understand it, the ban is on shipping and importation. So technically, if you legally purchased a watch on an alligator band in the US before your trip, it should be OK as you are not importing it. I think the issue that @Deafboy had was that his wife was not wearing the watch at the border and they did not have a receipt showing the watch and band were purchased before their trip.

There is supposed to be a way for you to declare items that you own legally before you leave the US, so that those items may be brought back into the US without confiscation or duty. I haven't seen that customs form in many years, and it may not exist anymore.

Best practice is to not wear reptile products when you leave on an international trip (yes, even to Canada or Mexico) and keep copies of any receipts for watches you take with you. This would include shoes, belts and handbags, too.
gatorcpa

 

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Wryfox

·Mar 9, 2022

I suspect I am going to hell shortly....