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Moving internationally with Watches

Jonatan
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Good morning OF members,

I had questions regarding moving internationally with your watches.

I will be returning to Canada after spending five years and starting my watch collection in Switzerland. Last night I realized that I have 12 watches, and most will be moving with me (some will be sold). I will, of course, be carrying them with me, and I started getting a little worried about customs. Would anyone know if there's any chance I can get in trouble or have them confiscated?

Another thing that worries me is the material of the bracelet. I have planned to add some noble leather bracelets (i.e., reptile) to a few of my watches, and I am wondering if problems can occur with this?

Thanks for your help.


Jonatan
 
DLT222
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Hello

I recently did the same from the US -> UK.

I carried all mine in a locked backpack which was actually a camera bag. Ship the boxes with the rest of your things, they should be ok (fingers crossed).

As long as you can prove you own these watches and they are 'personal possessions' and not for commercial gain you will be ok. Put them in watch rolls like I did.

Do not let that bag out of sight... think of it like a baby.... needs permanent attention.

Good Luck.

D
 
Jonatan
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Since I know that watch pictures tend to attract more interest, here are the watches I think noble leather would enhance.
 
IMG_1123.JPG IMG_1117.JPG IMG_1120.JPG IMG_1121.JPG
Jonatan
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DLT222 DLT222
Hello

I recently did the same from the US -> UK.

I carried all mine in a locked backpack which was actually a camera bag. Ship the boxes with the rest of your things, they should be ok (fingers crossed).

As long as you can prove you own these watches and they are 'personal possessions' and not for commercial gain you will be ok. Put them in watch rolls like I did.

Do not let that bag out of sight... think of it like a baby.... needs permanent attention.

Good Luck.

D
Thanks. I'll also have this little creature as a carry on to worry about.
 
IMG_1095.jpg
Northernman
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What are you doing with the other stuff you are surely shipping "home"?

The rules are bound to be different from country to country, but at least moving back to Norway there are liberal allowances if you have been registered as living abroad for more than x years. Over here you can "pre-declare" what you are carrying, and as long as it is used items (as in not spanking new in the box) you should not need to worry. It would be declared as "personal effects"/accessories.
I agree on the advice of carrying them with you. I would propose a watch roll, and even consider carrying them "heads only".
It would surprise me a lot if this catches any ones attention at the customs.
 
Larry S
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Put them in your carry on in rolls and put a travel lock on the zippers. Don't let it out of your site. You will be fine. The watches are your personal property and none of customs business. I'm sure you know you need paperwork for your fuzzy friend.
 
STANDY
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If they are not new treat the same as shoes or jeans. No need to worry.

I would not take them head only. I would leave them with straps
 
STANDY
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Larry S Larry S
You will be fine. The watches are your personal property and none of customs business.

Sorry, everything in your bag is Customs buisness 😗

But don't need to be declared or mentioned unless asked about , and should be fine if you said they were your watches that you collected over years and wear.
Edited:
 
Jonatan
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Northernman Northernman
What are you doing with the other stuff you are surely shipping "home"?

The rules are bound to be different from country to country, but at least moving back to Norway there are liberal allowances if you have been registered as living abroad for more than x years. Over here you can "pre-declare" what you are carrying, and as long as it is used items (as in not spanking new in the box) you should not need to worry. It would be declared as "personal effects"/accessories.
I agree on the advice of carrying them with you. I would propose a watch roll, and even consider carrying them "heads only".
It would surprise me a lot if this catches any ones attention at the customs.
We have planned to sell pretty much everything and move with the bare minimum. Meaning mostly clothing and outdoor gear. We have started looking into shipping some stuff but companies don't seem to be in a hurry to reply to our messages.

And yes you're right I must check with the Canadian Gov. about these allowances. If I can bring in some of my wine it would be great.
 
Jonatan
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Larry S Larry S
Put them in your carry on in rolls and put a travel lock on the zippers. Don't let it out of your site. You will be fine. The watches are your personal property and none of customs business. I'm sure you know you need paperwork for your fuzzy friend.
No paper work needed, only a rabbies shot! Thanks. Advised Air Canada already and all is good for her.
 
Larry S
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Ps: I have a global job and fly internationally. Since I got this watch bug, I occasionally carry a few with me in my carry on. No worries.
 
STANDY
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Would leave them on, no difference.
 
Northernman
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Jonatan Jonatan
We have planned to sell pretty much everything and move with the bare minimum. Meaning mostly clothing and outdoor gear. We have started looking into shipping some stuff but companies don't seem to be in a hurry to reply to our messages.

And yes you're right I must check with the Canadian Gov. about these allowances. If I can bring in some of my wine it would be great.

I think alcohol is the only stuff that would give us Norwegians into trouble with the customs when moving. Brought a 3 months old Yamaha 115 4-stroke outboard engine back home (not as carry on), no issues, but a single bottle of Cognac I am afraid would have freaked them out entirely.....
 
Larry S
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Food is the biggie in the US. We are allowed three bottles of booze.
 
lillatroll
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I recently moved from kuwait to Malawi. I shipped all our possessions directly to Malawi, which I got a customs bill for 9,500 usd, to cut a long story short I had to bribe two officials with some pens....I know....and eventually got my things custom duty free. I took my watches with me from Kuwait to the Uk via the five countries we visited on holiday. At no point did I encounter any problems at airports or ship ports. I don t think you will have any problems. A bit of advice on shipping if you do that, make sure you use strong boxes and tape them well, our boxes look like they were destroyed by a bomb, I am surprised that any of our things arrived at all.
I left my watch collection in the Uk as did do not feel inclined to have them confiscated by some dodgy policeman.
 
Larry S
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I would say that everything we discussed applies only to western countries.
 
Archer
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Larry S Larry S
I would say that everything we discussed applies only to western countries.

Yes, like Canada....
 
timjohn
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I do about 80,000 miles a year and rarely travel with less than four watches and I've never had a problem.
 
DLT222
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Jonatan Jonatan
Thanks. I'll also have this little creature as a carry on to worry about.

yeah - That won't fit in a watch roll!!

😉
 
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