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Watch seized by customs in Houston, TX

patek1977

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28/7/14
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It seems very odd to me that postal inspectors intercepted this package after customs let it through. A package being sent from china does not constitute probable cause that a counterfeit item is contained within. Unless the return address or address of the receiver has sent/received known counterfeits in the past. If the return address on the package was simply "china," without a street address, I guess that could also contribute to probable cause. I would hope that TD's don't send parcels overseas without valid return address.
There is also a possibility that postal inspectors suspected that a counterfeit item was contained inside and opened it illegally. Never give postal inspectors permission to open any mail regardless of the contents.
 

patek1977

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28/7/14
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What's the harm if you call and say you purchased used watches off of a collectors forum? How are the going to know 100% that the items are not legit and you knew them to be replicas?

if I go purchase a used gen PAM000 from a Chinese collector and pay $$$$ would they still confiscate it?



If they found it and opened the package, most likely. You would have to obtain a lawyer or provide some documentation to prove that the watch is genuine. It is my understanding that the burden of proof is on you to prove that the watch is not counterfeit.
 

ColPanic

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17/11/13
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If they found it and opened the package, most likely. You would have to obtain a lawyer or provide some documentation to prove that the watch is genuine. It is my understanding that the burden of proof is on you to prove that the watch is not counterfeit.

I wouldn't be so sure. First of all, they have to have a federal warrant to search your package (unless you give them permission, of course). I highly doubt that they would go to the trouble of going before a judge and getting one even if they did have some evidence that. This may just be some postal inspector being a d1ck.

If I got one of these I'd tell them NO they can't open it without me present and to return to sender or I'd show them a receipt for having the watch refurbished by Big Toros rolex watch repair in Guangzhou.
 

agarash

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21/9/14
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maybe they heard it ticking and thought it was a bomb!!:pirates: