duty situation
May 21, 2018, 12:26 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: BLI
Programs: Alaska MVPG
Posts: 206
Not a chance I would do this. First, if the jewelry was lost or stolen during your trip they'd probably hold you accountable. Second it's very easy to ship stuff from Paris to North America so the only reason I can see not to ship it is they're trying to avoid taxes. No win scenario for you, and in the end you're doing a risky favor for a not close friend.
May 23, 2018, 10:54 am
#17
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
In ca 20 years of marriage where we have been travelling together, neither my wife nor I have ever been asked about any jewellery we were wearing. Now, I don't really have anything other than a moderately expensive watch, but my wife has a few pieces that she often wears. No one has ever asked whether the jewellery belonged to us, or to produce ownership certificates or whatever. YMMV.
Last edited by LondonElite; May 23, 2018 at 12:02 pm
May 23, 2018, 5:47 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: DFW
Posts: 8,036
May 23, 2018, 7:57 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Not a chance I would do this. First, if the jewelry was lost or stolen during your trip they'd probably hold you accountable. Second it's very easy to ship stuff from Paris to North America so the only reason I can see not to ship it is they're trying to avoid taxes. No win scenario for you, and in the end you're doing a risky favor for a not close friend.
May 23, 2018, 10:22 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
OP's situation sounds too much like a possible scam. Asked to do it by a "not very close friend" I would not even entertain the idea.
Even asked by a person I trusted, I would not entertain the idea of making an untruthful statement to customs officials. (Note, simply failing to list the item on a customs form is not just a "white lie" but an outright lie as you are instructed to list ALL items and sign your name affirming that you have done so.) I would inform the friend that s/he needed to understand the applicable import rules and prepare declarations/tax payments to my satisfaction prior to the trip.
Even asked by a person I trusted, I would not entertain the idea of making an untruthful statement to customs officials. (Note, simply failing to list the item on a customs form is not just a "white lie" but an outright lie as you are instructed to list ALL items and sign your name affirming that you have done so.) I would inform the friend that s/he needed to understand the applicable import rules and prepare declarations/tax payments to my satisfaction prior to the trip.
May 24, 2018, 9:53 am
#24
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,808
I mentioned to a ( not very close ) friend that I will soon going to Paris . He said there is a jeweler there holding a pretty expensive piece of jewelry for him and wondered if I could pass there and pick it up for him .
I'm a little hesitant because I think you're supposed to declare such items and the duty tax on this could amount to hundreds of dollars .I don't want to get in the middle of having to be detained at the airport and pay these fees . I know most people just hide the jewelry in their suitcase and don't declare it , but again don't know what the downside is .
So my question is what's the likelihood of me getting into trouble if I just put this in my checked in suitcase and don't declare it ?
I'm a little hesitant because I think you're supposed to declare such items and the duty tax on this could amount to hundreds of dollars .I don't want to get in the middle of having to be detained at the airport and pay these fees . I know most people just hide the jewelry in their suitcase and don't declare it , but again don't know what the downside is .
So my question is what's the likelihood of me getting into trouble if I just put this in my checked in suitcase and don't declare it ?
Basic rule....never carry anything for anyone other than you.
YOU take on all the risk here. And there is more than you think. Jewels are a means of laundering or hiding money. It also may be stolen. They can finance other organized crimes or terrorism. Sounds like you would end up getting involved in a criminal enterprise as their patsy.
May 24, 2018, 10:23 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2017
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