Importing a replica Rolex into Germany by post

I am interested in buying a replica Rolex from a website. Will German customs confiscate it upon shipment? Is there something that can be written on the billing label like "costume jewelery" do help it through?

I'd also like to know more about customs in general. What flags a package for being checked? I have heard German customs opens everything... this cant be true though.

German customs has stepped up its battle against fakes entering Germany. As of July 1, they are on "heightened alert" specifically for cheap fakes like the Rolex you are planning to get. It might get through, or it might get confiscated and you could end up charged with a fine.

Why would anyone want a fake anyway? They usually look horrid and are very cheap quality. Not worth it.

Because i like the look of a Rolex, but between me and my kids a real one would get trashed. I'd rather buy a fake, be honest about it, and enjoy it while it lasts. And i have to say the site i get them from are VERY nice quality and take a beating pretty well. As well as i can get 10 for the price of 1.

I told you that in the strictest confidence!

Just don't ask for any help with your dog laundering service in the future then.

You do realise that my job is on the line with this one?

Oopsies... sorry...

P.S. You'll find the envelope in the usual spot, beneath the park bench

Fine, we'll let it pass this time - but just remember it's not just your life your gambling - there is also the future of your 'children' to consider as well.

You fools, why are you discussing this on Toytown , don't you know that the recent software upgrade was paid for by the BND and has enabled Editor Bob to pay for his new villa on Starnberger See!

can we get this back on track you jokers.

Have you been watching the A Team again?

I must say, you have this completely the wrong way around. You want a real one for the durability ... they're impossible to "trash".

I was on a trip to Shanghai a few years ago, and some of the clients on the trip were all fired up to go buy fake luxury watches. I swear, only one of them was still running by the end of the trip. The fakes have no seals, balsa wood gears and springs and beer can-quality metal on the clasps.

If you don't want to pay up for a new one (and a chunk of the proceeds over the production cost all go to charity anyway via the Rolex Foundation), there are lots of great used ones on Ebay.

Not all are the same quality. Please dont assume something you have little knowledge about. You by yours for 10 bucks, i buy mine for 300. Price = Quality. This isn't the 80's and a guy with them hanging from his jacket!

Okay, I admit I am not versed in vetting workmanship differences between (ahem) counterfeit watches. I think it's wrong in the first place, but my (authentic) moral compass points differently than others. A babysitter just offered to give my kids a pirated DVD of a current first-run movie, and I used it as an object lesson for all concerned to teach them that it's just plain wrong. Just try not to be flying on an airplane or driving a car once counterfeitting is so socially acceptable that no one cares anymore.

Spending 300 for a fake seems nuts when for a few hundred more you can get a used real one with papers

You say 'replica' and as others have said earlier customs will say 'illegal fake' and confiscate it. Also as Expaticus says if you want durability then get the real deal and the way to do this is to go to the watch fairs, like Eurotime. Here you can pick up the genuine article used for probably almost nothing if you just want a quartz mechanism (ie. not the much more interesting and expensive fully mechanical movement) Rolex. I bought my watch there (not a Rolex, though, a mechanical Glashuette) and am very happy with it.

Here speaketh the customs office Vee are on to sie and vee vill be kontacting sie soon.Be skared very skared

300 for a replica? Why don't you buy real one from a non so expensive brand?

Anyway, your money.

Coincidentally, I was looking around yesterday on the net to help in identifying fake watches. There are some fakes which are pretty damned good knock-offs from the real McCoy. Euphemistically labeled Replica here in photo.



Do I think you'll get caught?

Don't know.

Do I hope you'll get caught?

Sure do.

The problem with these watches is when criminals pass the fake off as the real thing, if they're bought and sold for what they are then I have no problem with fakes. If the OP was talking about having 300 euro available then he can have the real thing anyway.

Friend of mine bought an antique Breitling watch on ebay recently from someone in Turkey. It was (of course) seized at Customs and referred to Breitling for confirmation whether it was real or fake (implication was that it was actually sent to Breitling and the process took about 4 weeks).

Luckily the watch was genuine - problem came with the cheap nasty replacement crocodile watchstrap on it, which was then seized...

So Customs definitely will take an interest!

In order to get the Swiss to play ball with the German on tax dodgers, they clearly had to recripocate ... which is why they're so keyed up on fake luxury goods interdiction.

If you do decide to import it and the website you bought it through is not based in the EU, then the chances are it will be seized by customs as the value paid for the package wont' correspond to the value of the goods inside. The true value is required so that Germany can charge you import duty on the goods. If it is not EU sourced then you will have to pay import duty based on the value of the goods - so if you are prepared to pay the considerable import duty on a 'real' Rolex then go ahead - if not you will have to explain to the customs that it is a fake, whereby German customs will send the watch to Rolex to be authenticated and thats when you start recieving letters from the Rolex's legal dept. Don't quote me on this, but I have heard that certain manufacturers offer you the option to buy your way out of legal action by purchasing the 'real' version of the watch that you intended to import...

Get a fake Panerai instead. They're all the rage.

Futile. Music, Software and Videos anti-piracy will never be one and will only increase. The digital age will only increase this.


Why do i need papers. Am i trying to prove something? I am honest when someone asks.


Because i like the look of a Rolex.

______________

I now understand that it is not smart for me to purchase and import into Germany. Nuff said, I wont do it. Thanks for all the input.

Can anyone offer any other info on customs habits... besides replica stuff? What can be taxed, what besides drugs and firearms are not allowed to be shipped in?

nuclear material.
anthrax spores.
rabid dogs
tamils.

well..here's a link to the Zoll list:

Prohibitions and restrictions

Edit: looks like tamils are allowed

let my clarify, i wound be bringing in anything illegal... that i know of. What types of stuff could I easily by out of county via the internet that are taxable?

If it is ordered out of the EU, you will have to pay import duties.

So, amazon.co.uk is ok, amazon.com could charge you customs duty.

what about goods being shipped from a US residence? Say i have something sent from Amazon to a friend first? Should it not be re-shipped to me in original packaging?

Sorry..I only answered that part of your question before...

as for taxable stuff...that's a huge area..it depends on all sorts of things like how you bring it, where from and why:

Importing stuff

thanks for the links they are helpful.

not if they don't have a valid visa or Aufenthaltsgenehmigung

You could of course get your contact to take it apart and send it bit by bit ,customs wouldn’t have a damn chance ,and just think of all that fun you’ll have on cold winter evenings rebuilding your Rolex , ……. genius I know thanks

more like smart ass. the watch topic is dead. im not ordering it. but its an open board so be as smart as you desire!

Hee hee hee

If you can convince customs that its a gift, then youre Ok. its pretty hard to convince them though.

To be honest, who needs the hassle? At the current exchange rate, even after paying 19% VAT and 2-7% import tax youre still laughing on most goods.

andy M