FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - What to expect from Customs when bringing back a $5,000 watch?
Old Aug 9, 2019, 10:00 pm
  #4  
rickg523
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,261
Originally Posted by Landing Gear
No, not at all. I am quite willing to pay whatever duty is assessed.

When I got backed from France in April, I was $800 over my exemption and they asked me for nothing. My questions come down to things:

1. Is there any possibility that Customs would let you "skate" on a $5,000 watch?

2. If not, how much will the duty be?
So, I think the officers have pretty broad discretion.
(anecdotal data point)
Three years ago, I bought my wife $4500 worth of diamond jewelry in Amsterdam for her birthday and declared at full value. The conversation went like
Officer: That's pretty expensive jewelry.
Me: Wife's birthday
He looks at her passport and says Oh, I see. Special one. Welcome home, and happy birthday.

I don't know what the rate would have been, but I had brought my checkbook because I read somewhere that not all POE's will take CC for duty.
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