alfo982 0 Posted August 25, 2010 Hi guys, After a long time of silence… I’m back to ask you for a help. 4 Months ago I bought a Breitling navitimer from Mary: nice watch, but 2 weeks ago, when I was on holidays, the watch got stolen… and now I want to buy it again. I’ve contacted Mary once again… but she told me that the Italian customs became more serious in the last times. Now I’m afraid that the customs could find the item … and make me problems. What do you think about it? Is it for you to dangerous nowadays? I’m looking forward to hear you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akira 0 Posted August 25, 2010 you may ask some of the UK based members to reship the watch for you costs a little more, but is nearly 100% safe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onzenuub 308 Posted August 25, 2010 You could order the watch @ Precious Times or Narikaa, they ship from UK. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Del 4,471 Posted August 25, 2010 I'm thinking Mary won't be too happy that her suggestion is getting broadcast..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfo982 0 Posted August 25, 2010 I'm thinking Mary won't be too happy that her suggestion is getting broadcast..... Oh shit... I didn't think about it... If you want let cancel the topic and I will rewrite it with less details... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brightlight 0 Posted August 25, 2010 I don't think it is a good idea anyway. Customs are not stupid and they use Xray machines. A watch in something else is proof that it is illegal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfo982 0 Posted August 25, 2010 However, why did you say that the shipping from US or UK is safer? Do u think that the controls from China are more serious? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onzenuub 308 Posted August 25, 2010 However, why did you say that the shipping from US or UK is safer?Do u think that the controls from China are more serious? Yes because it is known @ customs that in China they produce rep goods. Shipping from UK means less checking by custsoms. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prestigewatchco 2 Posted August 25, 2010 2 schools of thought about that BL personally I think if you state watch and they scan it chances are they will let it go unopened. The down side is there is more chance they stop a watch than a toy We are fortunate from Thailand in as much that we are not required to state contents on Air mail items only on EMS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onzenuub 308 Posted August 25, 2010 Ask Kinkcaid for his car and hide the rep watch in that. Sure customs will not search that car. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andygt 0 Posted August 25, 2010 There are no customs issues to worry about when shipping to other EU countries, I've forwarded watches for people in the Netherlands and Germany with no issues other than overly efficient German postal workers sending watches back that hadn't been collected from the post office. I thought it was more that Italian postal workers are notoriously thieving bastards that was the problem anyway? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 995 Posted August 25, 2010 Not US, UK mate, the UK is part of the EU so no customs at all. Ask if one of our UK members can re-ship it for you. That will be cheaper than buying from a UK based dealer. I dislike the idea of shipping in toys/speakers etc. If it's picked up its not just importing contraband goods it's then also smuggling a far worse thing to explain and very serious in most countries. As stated above, customs have xray machines, toys don't help much. Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brightlight 0 Posted August 25, 2010 However, why did you say that the shipping from US or UK is safer?Do u think that the controls from China are more serious? There is no customs between EU states so you are safer to buy from an EU dealer, or ship via a member in the UK where the customs don't worry too much about counterfeit watches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted August 25, 2010 the Italian customs are most worst customs in the world ! so I think, even when you would buy an notebook, they would dissemble it to pieces ! alfo982 rewrite your post, so the marys suggestion would not been written ! this site is tractable trough google... Regarding xrays, it is true.. Almost all packages these days are xrayed, so I think they always know what is there I think I have once was searching the web for marys suggestion, and it was pretty well packaged. If somebody had this package sent like this, and you are from Germany/middle europe, could you please PM me ? If it went well. But alfo982, you don't worry about customs, they can't do you nothing. You can say, you don't know this poster, and you don't know the contains (if they would find out something), but it is worth a try. Like Mary has stated, she can refund or resend item, if item seized by customs. Or try like here somebody suggested, resend item from any other european country, or buy from somebody european based. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfo982 0 Posted August 25, 2010 There are no customs issues to worry about when shipping to other EU countries, I've forwarded watches for people in the Netherlands and Germany with no issues other than overly efficient German postal workers sending watches back that hadn't been collected from the post office.I thought it was more that Italian postal workers are notoriously thieving bastards that was the problem anyway? And are you not afraid of customs problems? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andygt 0 Posted August 25, 2010 As I said I would be more concerned with it getting stolen than stopped by customs. A lot of sellers refuse to ship to Italy as so much stuff gets stolen there. Are Italian customs any worse than Germany or Netherlands? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfo982 0 Posted August 25, 2010 But alfo982, you don't worry about customs, they can't do you nothing. You can say, you don't know this poster, and you don't know the contains (if they would find out something), but it is worth a try. I’m not sure about it: I’ve read that in Italy this kind of things are crimes trated with penal code… so I think it’s to dangerous for me… Pity… but for a watch it isn’t worth it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andygt 0 Posted August 25, 2010 Get it sent to your address but have a false name on the parcel if you are that worried. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narikaa 129 Posted August 25, 2010 I cringe every time I hear this bullshit What do you seriously think these childish concealments bring about when spotted by a customs agent (who doesnt need the wisdom of King Solomon to unravel this less than clever plot)? Instead of being the naive quasi-innocent online buyer of a 'Sexton Blake' - you now fast become a co-conspirator in a prima facie blatant smuggling endeavour Wonderful!! . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andygt 0 Posted August 25, 2010 How about if you wrap the watch in a couple of bags of cocaine before putting in the toy? That'll fool em! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted August 25, 2010 this all customs inspection are also rate of luck. If posted via normal airmail, with no tracking number, it could be stolen, but not checked by customs. If you order registered airmail, it is 50% chance it will be checked by customs. And if EMS or any other private shipping company, it will be most likely to be checked (because of the priory of shipping, they can assume it is something valuable). Most of what customs doesn't like is the declared type of the shipped item, and the real inside. alfo982 you can ask Mary, if she already send some watch to the Italy, and how it went.. In my country, when package is seized by customs, I get notification of declaring the value of item (if not stated) and I can select, if I want to receive the shipment (with calculated tax - if any) or refuse the shipment, and the shipment would be sent back to the addresser (but I think that one customs worker would take it out, and say that parcel has been damaged during shipping ) . So you always have a choice. Please check your law, if it is illegal to buy fake stuff. If it is not, you are clear (I think). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trailboss99 995 Posted August 25, 2010 I cringe every time I hear this bullshit What do you seriously think these childish concealments bring about when spotted by a customs agent (who doesnt need the wisdom of King Solomon to unravel this less than clever plot)? Instead of being the naive quasi-innocent online buyer of a 'Sexton Blake' - you now fast become a co-conspirator in a prima facie blatant smuggling endeavour Wonderful!! . Exactly! I have been making this point for years and no one gets it! You go from a fine to facing gaol time! 1kenny: it's different in IT mate. You can be stopped on the street and fined for wearing a replica watch or handbag. As for re-writing the post. why? Do you honestly think that customs are unaware that people hide stuff in toy cars? Col. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfo982 0 Posted August 25, 2010 1kenny: it's different in IT mate. You can be stopped on the street and fined for wearing a replica watch or handbag. Hey... it is not so tragic the situation. However... I feel too scared to incur in customs issues. I've read that in Switzerland they can only stop your item... but not prosecute you. Does anybody know that? It could be a solution for me (I’ve also an address in CH) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeNnY 29 Posted August 25, 2010 trailboss ouch, those are pretty hard laws ! that is why nobody outside from EU doesn't want to import things.. I need to check my law in Slovakia, how it is with fakes. For re-editing post, if Mary would want that everybody would know, how she ships items, she would post it by her self Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
valerian 0 Posted August 25, 2010 I've read that in Switzerland they can only stop your item... but not prosecute you.Does anybody know that? It could be a solution for me (I’ve also an address in CH) This is correct, but only as far as the prosecution thingy goes. Shipping to Switzerland has about a 90 Percent chance of being seized so forget about this instantly! Watch industry lobby practically owns the customs! Find yourself a European dealer or a nice person in UK willing to forward. It works perfectly inside EU. And pls. edit your first post about Marys methods. Kind regards Val. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites