Originally Posted by
David-A
Secondly, your example of XX thousand cigarettes is bonkers. As is your concern about them. Nobody would attempt that, far to conspicuous.
Would you stop someone buying an XX thousand pound watch? That might be more reasonable concern.
No logical basis to stop people buying that.
There is no logical reason to worry about the XX thousand cigarettes either, prone to detection not practical to move. (And they would be subject to duty on arrival in Switzerland).
Like I say, I think it is far more of a problem then people realise regarding the old cigarette suggestion. Very detectable, yes. Practical to move, no. Do people take risks in life for personal gain? Yes. Customs detection = hazard of the day job.
Of course, I fully agree that there is no logical basis to prohibit the purchace of an XX thousand pound watch (which is merely tax exempt, not duty exempt like alcohol or tobacco destined for non EU destinations) but I think the purchase of such would far more likely be for legitimate reasons than the XX thousand cigarettes, that are certainly not bound for Switzerland. 😉
It really is quite fascinating to hear people's differing views on the situation. On a side note, the suggestion that in the U.S you can just walk out without any customs checks is correct in my experience. I don't know for sure this is the reason, but where I was, you collected any duty exempt purchases after being boarded at the gate, hence ensuring the goods have left the country.