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Does the Rolex Trademark / Seizure rule on US imported watches still exist?

dsio
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This is in reference to this discussion, I don’t want to be bumping my own thread as I would violate the rules.

So is this still a thing in 2024 because I would love to sell it to one of the people that wanted to buy it from the US but I absolutely do not want to risk it being taken by customs.

I do life in Australia though so US laws aren’t my foremost area of knowledge.
 
Canuck
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I’ve had experience carrying several watches from Canada into the U S, several times in the past. On one occasion, the agent asked me to show the watches to his fellow agents, on the way into the U S. Following that, they wished me a safe journey, I packed up the watches and was on my way.

On another occasion, different border crossing, I told them I was carrying watches (including several Rolexes), and was asked (told) to exhibit the watches. The boss poobah seized them on the spot! Informed me that “fake” watches were not permitted for import into the U S. (There wasn’t a fake among them)! He demanded that I prove they were genuine, or in 60-days, the watches would be melted! Long story short, after paying a huge duty on my watches at a nearby broker, I returned to the crossing to be told that, under NO circumstances were fake watches permitted. He phoned someone, somewhere, and finally allowed me to return to Canada WITH my watches, leave them behind, then return. I drove 35 kms back into Canada, rented a box at a bank, deposited the watches, returned to the border. Same guard asked if I had left the watches behind, then wished me a good holiday!

In short, on a good day with the right person checking the contents, you’ll be okay. On the wrong day………..! The laws exist, it’s just a matter of whether they’ll be enforced with your item!
 
JwRosenthal
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This is totally insane. After the original point of sale (I understand -licensing with distributors etc for new product), how are they able to dictate how or where they are sold? Used watches are personal property after that and border crossing agents are not equipped to determine authencity.
 
dsio
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
This is totally insane. After the original point of sale (I understand -licensing with distributors etc for new product), how are they able to dictate how or where they are sold? Used watches are personal property after that and border crossing agents are not equipped to determine authencity.
I do agree it is insane, I've read now some discussions of it ending in 2015, but I can't find any confirmation of it sadly
 
Dan S
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https://omegaforums.net/threads/importing-to-the-us.23048/page-2
dsio dsio
I've read now some discussions of it ending in 2015, but I can't find any confirmation of it sadly
I found the same things, but no official confirmation. I already shared my personal experience, where I have paid US customs duty on many declared Rolex watches entering the country via DHL and FedEx. But I do understand your concern.
 
gatorcpa
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From what I just read, there still is a big difference with US Customs between traveling yourself to a foreign country and importing one Rolex for personal use (@Dan S) and someone bringing in several Rolex watches at one time for any purpose (@Canuck).

It also seems that sending by mail and/or private courier service is also problematic.

Short answer is just don’t, unless you want to gamble whatever it is you are paying.
gatorcpa
 
Dan S
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
From what I just read, there still is a big difference with US Customs between traveling yourself to a foreign country and importing one Rolex for personal use (@Dan S) and someone bringing in several Rolex watches at one time for any purpose (@Canuck).

It also seems that sending by mail and/or private courier service is also problematic.

Short answer is just don’t, unless you want to gamble whatever it is you are paying.
gatorcpa
Just to clarify, mine were imported via mail/courier, not in-person, but as you imply, it's possible I have just gotten lucky. The DHL/FedEx watch worksheet does not request the watch brand, so that information is not communicated to CBP unless they happen to spot check.

On the other hand, I don't recall hearing of any incidents where an authentic Rolex was confiscated in many, many years.
 
dsio
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Dan S Dan S
Just to clarify, mine were imported via mail/courier, not in-person, but as you imply, it's possible I have just gotten lucky. The DHL/FedEx watch worksheet does not request the watch brand, so that information is not communicated to CBP unless they happen to spot check.

On the other hand, I don't recall hearing of any incidents where an authentic Rolex was confiscated in many, many years.
Yea looking around I can’t find any recent incidents but hard to know if that’s just because everyone knows and is reluctant to do it or if they’ve actually stopped. The only issues I see are much earlier, 2013 being the most recent I can find.
 
Tekashi_145.022
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140dave 140dave
This is still up on Bobswatches
IMG_9113.png

I haven’t read up on this in years, but always wondered why is Rolex singled out- is that Rolex’s doing? I’m not familiar about any other luxury watch brands having restrictions on importation into the US.
 
Evitzee
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Tekashi_145.022 Tekashi_145.022
I haven’t read up on this in years, but always wondered why is Rolex singled out- is that Rolex’s doing? I’m not familiar about any other luxury watch brands having restrictions on importation into the US.
This is not singling out Rolex's by Customs, it is Customs reacting to whatever legal protections Rolex have claimed under the law AND Rolex being diligent in having those protections enforced. Rolex policy is to enforce their trademarks.
Edited:
 
dsio
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Pastorbottle Pastorbottle
Is it also Rolex’s policy to be dicks?
It varies by country, Rolex Australia yes. That’s why they don’t even let independent watchmakers buy parts in this country and force us to use RSC Melbourne and wait six months to get our watches back.
 
STANDY
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Chat to you via PM
 
gatorcpa
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Pastorbottle Pastorbottle
Is it also Rolex’s policy to be dicks?
No. It is Rolex’s policy not to care if you call them dicks.

They are only doing what other watch companies (and companies in many other industries) could do if they didn’t care about you calling them dicks.
gatorcpa
 
Larry S
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I think the issue is old news. It’s been a while, but my 1675 and my 5513 came from the same seller in Italy (an OF member btw). He initially had his regular courier refuse shipment on the 5513 due to this perception, but he found another. Both watches sailed through FedEx and customs.
 
Pastorbottle
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
No. It is Rolex’s policy not to care if you call them dicks.

They are only doing what other watch companies (and companies in many other industries) could do if they didn’t care about you calling them dicks.
gatorcpa
So their policy is to be arrogant arseholes, this they do by not caring that they’re perceived as dicks
 
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