Jurry
6103
If all works as it should
Then theoretically as a tourist you are allowed to bring g your personal jewelry (watches included) without any burden.
They might ask for proof of purchase and it must be clear these are your personal belongings.
Now if you enter with a roll of 8 new or brand new watches especially if from same brand etc, it might be hard to convince the duty customs officer that these watches are your personal items to wear, and not meant for trade or selling.
If the customs officer is not convinced as general rule of thumb there are 3 possible scenarios:
1). He will have the value determined by their experts, charge import duties plus VAT
2) with bad luck he will then charge a fine on top usually 100% of taxes owed due to trying to import illegally
3) with even more bad luck they may confiscate the whole lot
4) worst case you get arrested as well.
The changes for these worst case scenarios are slim but still to be avoided.
Therefore the best suggestion I can give you is to determine your port of entry, contact customs (or look on their website as some countries have the rules laid out crystal clear and in multiple languages) and base your decision what to do on the official information. Not on here say like my first analysis.
As example a page from the Dutch customs service.
https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontenten/belastingdienst/individuals/abroad_and_customs/luggage/from_a_non_eu_country/pay_no_tax/for_which_goods_am_i_not_liable_for_the_payment_of_tax
Hope this is helpful
Small help on a question
I cannot comment on CA or US, but here is an interessting article on the topic:
Within the EU you can find random searches at places of entry, mainly airports...
From past experience...
