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I have used it…
And it’s a good thing that I did. On one return trip to the USA it was immediately accepted by the customs agent at the airport as proof that I owned the watch before I departed. Such a document likely will also satisfy Swiss customs agent’s interest. Fwiw there is also another document that can be used when your watch is sent from USA to Switzerland or wherever for repairs— when the watch is returned through USA customs you will be potentially liable for customs duties only on the parts and labor for the repairs. I recently used that form for a watch that I sent to Switzerland for repair.
Has anyone from the US traveled abroad using a CBP Form 4457 (Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad)?
I'm going to be heading to Geneva soon for Geneva Watch Days, and I want to bring some of my nicer watches with me. I've never been flagged by customs in either direction while wearing an expensive watch, but with all of the tariff stuff kicking into high...
I have insurance and photos
Probably safest to have the documents just in case. Of course if I ever buy a watch overseas and wear it on the way home, I'll fill out a form the next time I leave the country with it.
I've done the Canadian equivalent before
But I don't really bother, no issues in hundreds of trips and I have pictures proving I've owned the watches for a very long time etc with timestmaps. So not overly worried personally.
I would be concerned about the Swiss law while carrying multiple watches.
As I understand it, and you should read the laws yourself, if for personal use all is OK. But personal use sounds a little bit of a stretch for anyone outside of here if you’re carrying multiple watches. There is a document called a Carnet which may be re...
Thanks for the heads up, I'll check that out
I will be going for Geneva Watch Days, and I can't let people see me wearing the same watch every day! They'll think I'm a poser!
In case anyone else looks up this thread in the future, this is what ChatGPT had to say on the matter:
> I heard there's a document called Carnet that I'm supposed to fill out if I'm going to bring my watches into Switzerland for personal use. Is that the case? How does that work? Do I really need it? I don't plan on selling my watches while there. I just ...
I just brought copy of receipt and a photo or two of the watches i brought.
Plus i only brought 2 last time so nothing crazy. May bring 2-3 this time. Also have to decide if bring more than 1, where to leave. Hotel room safes not real great. I would probably closely carry in day pack
In case anyone else looks up this thread in the future, this is what ChatGPT had to say on the matter:
> I heard there's a document called Carnet that I'm supposed to fill out if I'm going to bring my watches into Switzerland for personal use. Is that the case? How does that work? Do I really need it? I don't plan on selling my watches while there. I just ...
I have used it…
And it’s a good thing that I did. On one return trip to the USA it was immediately accepted by the customs agent at the airport as proof that I owned the watch before I departed. Such a document likely will also satisfy Swiss customs agent’s interest. Fwi...
Here’s how it happened…
First of all, it was the only time that I was selected for secondary inspection during numerous international returns to the USA over decades, both before and afterwards. I don’t know if I happened to fit the profile of the day, or more likely it was a ra...