Always Best to Declare Everything at Customs

Good, and good revoke.

I never knew that customs agents in the US have access to one’s VAT forms. Now that I know that it totally makes sense that they do, especially for large purchases. To spend $183K in one store and then say you have spent nothing and then say $66K when questioned takes a special kind of nerve. They should have fined her in addition to collecting the duty fees.

Note to self: Remember, all that pasta and gelato does add up...

She obviously has more money than smarts.

It's not surprising that law enforcement data systems are increasingly linked, and I'm sure these systems will become increasingly more connected. Hopefully the person in this incident will have learned her lesson!

I've always believed that "honesty is the best policy" so on occasions when I've bought something expensive in Europe, Customs is always my first stop when I arrive back in Canada.

Cartier jewelry obviously adds up, too. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London currently has a special exhibit of Cartier, including many pieces belonging to British royals, which was well worth seeing last month. There are sublime works of art, including lots of panther-themed items, plus “mystery clocks” and stunning watches from the past 140 years - see it if you can get to the V&A. It was kept quite chilly in there, though, with the AC on MAX.

The subject of “Customs” comes up often on this Forum, and answers suggest that for the vast majority of us, it’s a non-event. Go thru the green door, and out into the airport terminal with your luggage, with no further encounter. Even for someone who can afford Cartier, and lots of it, forgetting making a measly $183,000 in purchases, then owning up to only a portion of it, sure seems questionable. I wonder whether Cartier in Paris chose, or was required, to notify CBP of the merchandise that would be accompanying the passenger? She was apparently on their radar … wonder if this had happened before, and they were preparing to put an end to her modus operandi?

I wonder if private jet passengers pass thru the same immigration/customs facilities that process commercial flight passengers? Maybe they get additional scrutiny, assuming that they’re bigger spenders, owing to their more exclusive means of transport?

I wonder whether Cartier in Paris chose, or was required, to notify CBP of the merchandise that would be accompanying the passenger?

No. More than likely she filed for a VAT refund. VAT on 150,000+ Euros is a lot of money.

I wonder if private jet passengers pass thru the same immigration/customs facilities that process commercial flight passengers? Maybe they get additional scrutiny, assuming that they’re bigger spenders, owing to their more exclusive means of transport?

Anyone entering the US has to be cleared by Immigration and Customs. Depending on the airport, private jet passengers either arrive at a separate building where immigration and customs are set up or are met at the plane. They don't join the line for airline passengers.

They will only go through extra scrutiny if the customs agents believe they may be trying to pass good without paying. Most people flying private are on business trips and not just the rich flying for fun.

The customs people really know who they are looking for. As mentioned in the article, information is shared. It's not just totally random.

By the way, the woman in the article not only lost her GE, but every time she returns to the US, she will be thoroughly checked.

Lastly, I was told by more than one US Customs agent that even if you are slightly over the limit, if you are honest, they may just let you go because they don't want to bother with the paperwork. It's all about being honest.

Certainly $183K worth of merchandise would be hard to forget to declare, especially if you've filled out the VAT refund forms.

But $800 isn't so much. Any one item that I might have splurged to buy on Bond Street yesterday could easily have exceeded that amount: one nicer-than-I've ever owned purse, a Carrie Bradshaw pair of shoes, or a silky Hermes scarf to dress up my Columbia Sportswear travel dresses. (Wouldn't that be something?)

We used to fill out landing cards (can I borrow a pen please?) that reminded us of the limit. Does a giddy shopper just have to know/remember now?

Note to CBP: my London purchases currently total $56.12. Please don't revoke my GE!!!

I'm surprised the duty was only $10k.

I suspect she will get a 'special welcome' on her return to the US from any further foreign trips.

The duty is actually correct.

The first $800 is duty free. The next $1000 is levied a flat 3%.

Over $1800 and the duty varies depending on the items. Most jewelry has a 5.5% duty added to it.

So the $183000 worth of jewelry would have an approximate duty charged of $9996.

I'm guessing she didn't get any additonal fines. Perhaps losing GE was big enough.

CBP is so focused on their jobs that they may not have time (or skills?) to proofread. The linked press release in the original post said, “CBP is the nation’s second largest revenue generator behind only the IRS and collected over $88 billion in duties, taxes, and fess on merchandise imports during fiscal year 2024.”

Taking the above as complete and accurate, I tried looking up “fess.” All I could get with an Internet search was “Functional endoscopic sinus surgery,” which I’m guessing is not a standard CBP process at this time. I suspect the article meant “fees.”

well, there's "fess up" when you've been a naughty girl or boy

I never knew that customs agents in the US have access to one’s VAT forms. Now that I know that it totally makes sense that they do, especially for large purchases.

If custom's agents know your VAT information, perhaps we understand a little more why some passengers are questioned more by immigration agents when arriving in the US. Imagine the info that is linked to each person via passport numbers worldwide.

The first $800 is duty free

I had no idea it was that high. I like to buy clothes in Europe, but I shop at places like Primark. I just like wearing a regular shirt to a regular place at home, but I know it's one of my European shirts, which makes me happy. I've probably never spent more than 100$ on things I bring home. So that's one more thing about traveling I do NOT have to worry about!

My son used to bring back lots of German beer when he returned to the states for college. Always exceeded the limits and declared everything. Customs asked him why. He always described how good it was. The customs personnel always agreed and waived him on or on occasion collected the fees. Lie and pay the price….tell the truth…..no problem.

I thought it was pretty interesting that the CBP is the 2nd largest revenue generator after the IRS in the US. Who'd a thunk it?

It also beats me why someone who can afford to spend over $180,000 on foreign goods wouldn't just pay the $10,000.

a Carrie Bradshaw pair of shoes

Ha ha, CW—and would you also store them in your oven? :-)

When I re-entered the United States at LAX from Mexico earlier the year, no one ask me to declare. I just went through the face-scanner thingy and welcome back to the US of A. No customs or anything.

I'm sure it was some kind of oversight, but I had 6 liters of mezcal I was going to declare.

-- Mike Beebe

Mike, you are suppose to know to self declare before CBP catches you out. I don't know if there is any signage upon arrival that advises the traveler of the need to declare.

CW—and would you also store them in your oven? :-)

Weeeellll, it might as well get some sort of use ;-)

A story about going the other way.
A close friend and her family went to Italy this past May. Her SIL had over 40,000 cash in both US$ and €. He was stopped at the airport entering Rome. He was fine €5,000, in cash, after they went through all his belongings. He tried to tell them he was carrying the money for everyone in his family, 7 adults, but they said, nope, it’s all on your person.
For such smart people they never thought to check about limits. Or ask their bank to wire transfer the money to a bank in Rome.
When I asked my friend why he needed so much cash, she said she didn’t ask him.

Somebody should have watched more of those Seized at the Border and To Catch a Smuggler type shows.

I have I’m more than one occasion come home with more than the allowed limit. For example Years ago I went to Singapore and I can’t remember what the limit was then but I want to say $400 and nice jewelry there was cheap. We all came home with extra stuff.

I have always been honest with the customs. I’ve never been asked to pay the taxes

My theory is they don’t want go to trouble if you are $100 over the limit or something. Now, of course in this case, we are talking real money and it was worth them going to the trouble.

Barbara, some years ago in Houston in the gangway to the airplane there were officers with dogs. They were sniffing everthing so i took my crossbody bag off and held it low for the dog. The dog didnt like it. "Step aside sir" He must have seen the look on my face. He laughed and said it was currency dog. I never heard of such a thing. He asked how much cash I had. I told him about $2000 but it was in Hungarian forints, 750,000 ft worth, and that a bunch of 10.000 and 20.000 ft bills. He laughed and waved me on.