How does customs know which packages to seize and which to to release?

[alexjustdoit]

Always kinda wondered about this, but searching didn't turn up much.

Does anyone know how customs determines which packages to open? I assume they have those x-ray scanners like at airport security, and from that maybe they can infer it is a watch inside the box?

But how in the world would they ever reasonably be able to think "hey that's a counterfeit watch", unless the sender wrote something dumb on the customs declaration like "ROLEX WATCH - Value $200". For all they know it could be some Timex or Seiko or literally a toy/gimmick watch from some Chinese factory as a gag gift.

Concerned now as I just ordered 3 watches all at once from Kuvarsit, and am wanting to buy a m2m watch from someone in the EU. (Side note... if getting a rep shipped from EU to USA, what carrier should we use? I assume "not DHL" still applies here, but dunno my other options, don't buy m2m from EU ever)

Thanks

 

[qualityazn]

not to scare you, but i would say it’s based on packaging and quantity. a rolex watch packed in bubble wrap and styrofoam says two things: either you are trying to avoid tax, or it’s fake. lesser known brands may be easier to slide by. i ordered. JLC once and the package was opened by customs and i still got it, probably had no clue the worth, lucky me.

three rolexes in bubble wrap screams counterfeit. i would advise to avoid getting three watches at once. i once made the mistake of getting four watches shipped, got accepted and then kicked back by Hong Kong customs 3 times before the sender resent via DHL, fortunately it finally made its way to me, never doing that again.

don’t know about EU, but DHL has been great for me from TDs, and Fedex for custom dials from Vietnam

 

[alexjustdoit]

a rolex watch packed in bubble wrap and styrofoam says two things: either you are trying to avoid tax, or it’s fake. lesser known brands may be easier to slide by. i ordered. JLC once and the package was opened by customs and i still got it, probably had no clue the worth, lucky me.

How would they know if its a rolex without opening it? and if they only know after opening it, are they just opening packages containing watches at random?

its 2 omegas and a tudor by the way, not that they could tell that from the x-ray scans.

I'll ask the TD what they think, maybe send them as individual packages. They said they will guarantee customs risk, but I kinda doubt that it'll be easy for me to get them to reship 3 watches if its seized...

 

[tkingjr]

Never ship more than 1 watch at a time. My seizure rate is 2%. After waiting 6 weeks sitting in Customs you know you won’t be getting the watch. My first seizure letter arrived 4 months later. No letter as of now on my second watch.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

 

[gilrob]

Custom checks are random, so its a gamble that you're likely to win. Trusted Dealers take this gamble everyday and offer a free replacement if the shipment is seized. They know the odds. BTW why did you order 3 watches from Kuvarsit, a RWG dealer who is under probation/suspension.....again.

 

[alexjustdoit]

I didn't realize Kuvarsit was under probation, I've been out of the hobby for a while, few years. But last I heard (couple years ago) they were fine, so I just did a quick search for recent feedback on them on the r/RepTime subreddit, saw they were a TD there and saw some good reviews, figured they were still a TD on RWI/RWG. Good to know though... I'll have to do some digging on them here.

They said they would resend if it was seized, but maybe I should ask them to send via 3 different packages?

 

[nalomb]

Take this advice for what it’s worth — buy the fastest and most expensive (within reason) shipping that you can. Paying $50 to get something to you in 3-5 days does two things: gets your watches in your greasy paws super fast; and, it helps whatever you order sail through customs. Stewardesses don’t f*ck with first class passengers.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

 

[YellowFin]

Take this advice for what it’s worth — buy the fastest and most expensive (within reason) shipping that you can. Paying $50 to get something to you in 3-5 days does two things: gets your watches in your greasy paws super fast; and, it helps whatever you order sail through customs. Stewardesses don’t f*ck with first class passengers.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

No. Customs give a damn funk what shipping method you use. The checks are literally random.

 

[nalomb]

No. Customs give a damn funk what shipping method you use. The checks are literally random.

Maybe, but I've never had an issue with expedited shipping from overseas to the US over hundreds of parcels. The only two times I've had an issue were using economy shipping.

 

[jeremyhuang13]

Question to those of you who have had a letter sent to you due to the package being seized. What is the content of the letter? Is there a threat of tax or fine or simply tells you that the product has been seized?

thanks!

Maybe, but I've never had an issue with expedited shipping from overseas to the US over hundreds of parcels. The only two times I've had an issue were using economy shipping.

There is literally no option to ship with different method than DHL. At least not with Intime. I believe Ryan had EMS but now only does DHL and he charges $48 for each shipment. He has always sent through Cincinnati but this time New York City. My latest shipment has been in under CUSTOMS STATUS UPDATED since 7/12 or day 2. I am hoping this clears.....

 

[V.Watch]

Take this advice for what it’s worth — buy the fastest and most expensive (within reason) shipping that you can. Paying $50 to get something to you in 3-5 days does two things: gets your watches in your greasy paws super fast; and, it helps whatever you order sail through customs. Stewardesses don’t f*ck with first class passengers.


Sent from my iPhone using RWI

I beg to differ stewardesses do f*ck with firsf class passengers

 

[NdBnkr]

Question to those of you who have had a letter sent to you due to the package being seized. What is the content of the letter? Is there a threat of tax or fine or simply tells you that the product has been seized?

thanks!

I have the same question.

Awhile back (1-2 years ago) I read an article complaining about the "new administration's" rules that relaxed enforcement at US customs that made it easier for consumers to import counterfeit goods. No proof was cited in the article, I have been unable to find the original article or corroborating information confirming this. Fake News?

 

[ronin007]

I bet the custom officers have some private collection !

 

[Stretch242]

I've heard customs have specially trained sniffer dogs to sniff out replica watches

 

[asusundevils1971]

I bet the custom officers have some private collection !

Their basements are filled with quality "gifts from work" that they probably sell on Kijiji and other platforms. And keep some to wear and other give as gifts.

 

[Geonor]

I think a good tip is to take a hard look at what your TD declares your watch as and how much they declare it for. It's their job to get your watch in your hands so they gotta be doing something right.

 

[dpd3672]

Seems like every time I see an article about a customs seizure, it's always a big box full of individually packaged watches...but not in retail packaging. I'm sure a lot of these go through, but this is a pretty big red flag, I would assume.

For example:

MSN

One or two watches probably doesn't look much different than some random gen Ebay purchase.

100+ watches, of various brands, in ziploc bags and fastened over a styrofoam block...well, that's gonna raise some eyebrows.

And in very general terms, most cops, federal or local, aren't looking for the little guy, buying one watch...that's like a dude smoking a joint to a street cop, or a dude with a bootleg Blu Ray of a movie. They're looking for resellers, wholesalers, distributors, etc. I'm sure they do grab random individual reps from time to time, but that's not usually what they're looking for.

 

[Rdb321]

Seems like every time I see an article about a customs seizure, it's always a big box full of individually packaged watches...but not in retail packaging. I'm sure a lot of these go through, but this is a pretty big red flag, I would assume.

For example:

MSN

One or two watches probably doesn't look much different than some random gen Ebay purchase.

100+ watches, of various brands, in ziploc bags and fastened over a styrofoam block...well, that's gonna raise some eyebrows.

And in very general terms, most cops, federal or local, aren't looking for the little guy, buying one watch...that's like a dude smoking a joint to a street cop, or a dude with a bootleg Blu Ray of a movie. They're looking for resellers, wholesalers, distributors, etc. I'm sure they do grab random individual reps from time to time, but that's not usually what they're looking

 

[Rdb321]

Me seeing this picture knowing this is the port my single rep is likely going to through with my hand in my palm

 

[Stodss]

A lot has to do the location where it came from tbh, anything from China and Taiwan usually gets seized.