Swiss Customs Targetting Baselworld Attendees

snake.doctor

Well this is why you should at least make an invoice for a watch you're buying from a private seller.

At least if it gets stolen or broken, you also have something for the insurance company.

When I buy something expensive from a private person, I just make a sale contract stating the item (with serial number if available), the identity of the seller with his signature and the price.

It's easy to do and can save you a lot of troubles.

Njnjcfp88

Reading all this makes me think to only bring one watch- that’s on my wrist when traveling abroad. No watch rolls ever. And just look at and share pictures of my watches. Sorta what I do here. So if it means sitting at a cafe in Paris, trying to decipher Le Monde - while squinting at pictures of watches left behind the the States- well there you go. But I’ll be dammed if I’m wearing my beater.

BenjaminT

Take your roll, just be prepared to declare it when asked and be able to pay a deposit and do not bullshit withe the officer.

Braindrain

There are some differences. Are you entering/leaving multiple times? You're there purely as a tourist?

If it's no and yes, then you should be fine. Also, just keep in mind a non-WIS point of view if you have to do some 'splaining.

Personally, I always just bring 2. One nice and one beater. Easy to explain that to anyone. 6 watches? A little tougher.

And, for the record, I've never been asked about watches in all my travels (except when I return home, and that was exactly once). I was a heavy international frequent flier.

zinengineer

I'm currently planning a multi-week, multi-country travel this spring for our 40th anniversary. (from the US), Italy will be entry point, and i'm currently planning to exit from Switzerland (hoping to see the Omega museum). We've been to Europe several times, although I've never had watches to worry about. Now i have a small collection i generally take with me (5 watch roll plus what's on my wrist). Some new, some old, total value less than what one Sub is worth. Been reading this thread and the article (several times) and multiple searches on "do i declare my watches when entering Switzerland?". Oh, and my wife does have jewelry and "some" purses and shoes with significant value.

it's not clear, and as a visitor i DO want to understand and follow the rules of the land, it pi$$es me off endlessly when people act as if the rules apply to someone else. BUT, I'm not sure i understand. so, it looks like I have two choices

a. Skip Switzerland; exit from Paris (an entirely acceptable option)
b. Don't take the watches and buy ONE watch from the "good GMT <$2K" thread (I'm strongly considering this option). Technically i guess i'd have to declare this one as well, but at least it's on my wrist and clearly for personal use. I may also buy a watch while on the trip, but i fully understand the VAT process and declaring when returning to the US. Presumably when entering Switzerland with said purchase, it would be in a box and i'd have all the paperwork, so no major issues there.

it's interesting that any country desiring the tourist money, makes it difficult for the traveler to understand their rules. I get the whole "personal property" concept, and the discussion about declaring multiple watches (OK, "most" people only have one or two) seems almost as silly as declaring the 6 or so pairs of boxer shorts i'll also take with me.

BenjaminT

Take your roll, just be prepared to declare it when asked and be able to pay a deposit and do not bullshit withe the officer.

BenjaminT

Take your roll, just be prepared to declare it when asked and be able to pay a deposit and do not bullshit withe the officer.

Braindrain

There are some differences. Are you entering/leaving multiple times? You're there purely as a tourist?

If it's no and yes, then you should be fine. Also, just keep in mind a non-WIS point of view if you have to do some 'splaining....

STANDY

You can take the five and don’t have to declare them. You can let your exit border clearance agency know you have them which might help if you get stopped on the way back as the burden of proof is yours to prove you didn’t buy them overseas.

Also yes, they are technically personal goods like 6 pairs of boxes.

This thread is about professional people who mentioned they were going to use the watches for professional photography.

I take 3 to 5 whenever I travel and never have a issue. I could use the forum posts to show they are mine 😗

JimInOz

I took eight in a watch case (checked suitcase) and one on my wrist for our France/Spain/Portugal trip last year.
Nobody asked about them and I didn't declare any at any time.

But then, I don't look or act like one of the Dodgy Brothers.

😁

larryganz

So 1 for declare them and pay up, 1 for don't, another for don't declare but "let your exit border clearance agency know you have them which might help", and another for don't.

Still not sure what the right thing to do would be, should I ever travel with a watch roll to other countries.

larryganz

So 1 for declare them and pay up, 1 for don't, another for don't declare but "let your exit border clearance agency know you have them which might help", and another for don't.

Still not sure what the right thing to do would be, should I ever travel with a watch roll to other countries.

STANDY

Easy just read the customs rules. I did before my trip.
Work in the game and it's not a issue for thousands of people every day.

I could check any country I have ever traveled to.

No need to declare them but if stopped the burden to prove they aren't going to be sold or were not bought overseas is yours. .

gatorcpa

I would think you need to have hard copies of these documents on you.

If questioned, some customs agency may not allow you to “Dropbox”.

Years ago, there used to be a customs form you filled out when you left the US so you could show them as declared when you returned.

I don’t know if they do that anymore.
gatorcpa