MTF
[PuristS]
13383
oooer... I've moved to/from three continents without knowing that
Of course, when you relocate internationally, there is a customs waiver for taxes because you are "moving house". The relocation agent dealt with that.
It only applies if the watch is at least 12 months in your ownership before the house moving date. That was for UK-USA-Japan-Singapore-Japan-Singapore-UK. They all followed the same international customs regulations.. No guns, alcohol and tobacco preferable. You could move those items but they are ALWAYS taxed, whatever your story. So your 20 years old possession of fine wine is still counted as taxable.
I once moved about 50 vintage watches in my cabin bag and the current Mrs MTF had her "precious items" in a knapsack and was stopped in Manchester airport on the way to Singapore when SIA had direct flights. The X-ray machine was going bananas and the security guard didn't really know what to do because they were clearly not NIB watches. Old time hammer-head self winding Omegas etc. Also we were LEAVING the UK so there were no taxes involved. I guess he was worried if I could deploy my watches as lethal weapons on-board...? 
We were waved on.
Regards,
MTF
If you want to be stopped by customs this is what you shouldn't be doing!
Recently stopped at Dubai Airport...took a bit of convincing they not for sale...handled wonderfully by the officials who are very courteous and efficient...well done Dubai ...
Just show them WatchProSite, no convining needed ;) I can gurantee you if you showed up in Canada, you would get the traditional "customs and border fee charge" and a possible penalty :O
unless you had the warrenty paper copies in your pocket hehe
Buyer vs. seller?
Do you mean Canadian customs would think you're bringing the watches into Canada (as a Canadian citizen) to sell, or (more likely) bought them overseas while trying to avoid duty tax coming back in? I'm in the US, but I imagine it's similar?
Yes, exactly that, or if youre leaving the country they’d assume you bought them in Canada for extra cheap (not likley here lol) and are making a run for the border.
Our tax isnt the killer, its the duties and customs fee always get ripped into with it when packages are incoming (like on my new Seiko now around 28% this time travel in and out is worse and their « penalty » fee if they dont believe you or your document...
That’s quite the “travel collection”.
No wonder some eyebrows went up when your suitcase lit up. Glad to euR it all went smoothly!
Don’t come to Switzerland with so many watches in your luggage, you could have bad surprises and lose a lot of time
Super blue KV and Patek array by the way. Best wishes Alkiro
Shipping coals to Newcastle
alkiro, I've never had trouble entering Switzerland with watches but they were during watch fairs so maybe they allowed. Why would Swiss officials delay you? Since 90% of the watches came from Switzerland, why can't they re enter? Regards, MTF
Customs don’t pay attention to where the watch was made but where you bought it. If you bought your watch in the European Union and if your country is part of the EU, no problem due to agreements.
But if you want or need to import them from France or Germany to Switzerland for instance, it’s not the same story. To give you an example, when I moved from France to Switzerland, I was supposed to declare to customs all my watches (and everything) and p...
oooer... I've moved to/from three continents without knowing that
Of course, when you relocate internationally, there is a customs waiver for taxes because you are "moving house". The relocation agent dealt with that. It only applies if the watch is at least 12 months in your ownership before the house moving date. That...
Just the opposite...
When I'm going to Switzerland with a plan...I go with no watches and leave with a couple. Ha ha ha. Taking watches to Switzerland is like taking ice to Lapland.
I do that quite often too, travelling with my watches
although not as many pieces as you have. Reason for me taking my collection along is that as I have live close to areas in conflict, I have this - you could say irrational - fear that the conflict might spill over whilst I was away and my collection of wa...
So you travel light i see 😱😁
Amazing collection and the KV is my fav of them 👌🏻😘 beautiful dail color .
Do NOT do that to Thailand...
A Board member of a Big Three brand brought 10 of his personal watches to Thailand for a GTG and exhibition. He didnt do a carnet and unfortunately made the mistake of going in with his sales manager who was traveling with carnet. He ended up having to bu...
Wonderful collection. Its good your going to a first world nation.
They really understand. Safe travels. Enjoy and cheers. Geross.
Great collection Karl.
Couldn’t decide what to wear though ;-) At least you had every eventuality covered!
Thanks Russ.....nothing incoming till next you
So guess just going to enjoy what I have
Did you put all that in a suitcase or carry-on??
If I had that many priceless pieces in my suitcase, I would be sweating throughout my flight. With luggage handlers, you never know what will go missing...and the airlines do not take responsibility of lost items in luggage. Furthermore, luggage insurance...
I salute you!
Because I dare not travel with more than two watches at any one time to avoid any possible complications with customs. All it takes is for one over zealous official and you could not only be delayed but having to pay VAT if in Europe and arriving from out...
Thanks Joe!
Interestingly, every time I walk pass customs at Heathrow, I still have a phobia that I will be stopped even though all I might have is a discreet looking Patek on my wrist. But I guess pushing a trolley with a 40 year old torn luggage does help!