UPDATE December 11, 2024
And here are more reminders from US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) for your travel. For the TLDR – don’t travel with fake goods and make sure to honestly declare your purchases. Read on for details.
Did you know CBP agents can inspect you and your items without a warrant? That’s right, coming across the border, your bags and property are subject to search. As part of the routine search, CBP checks for counterfeit items and is authorized to seize them.
In a recent post, CBP shared tips for holiday travel and, along with the reminder about inspection, included a warning about buying counterfeit goods during travel, pointing to street vendors or “illegitimate” shops: these products violate intellectual property rights, support criminal behavior, and can be unsafe.
But, the search is not just about counterfeit goods purchased abroad. If you think you’re safe because you brought the fake item from home, think again. CBP agents can seize that fake designer handbag (or other item). It doesn’t matter where, when, or how you bought it.
The CBP recently reported that in its Fiscal Year 2024, agents seized more than 32 million counterfeit items overall (though largely in shipments through the border) with an estimated value of $5.4 billion, had the goods been genuine.
And once again, as we and CBP remind travelers: declare your overseas purchases when returning home to the United States. Duty exemptions are limited and do not apply to items purchased for resale.
Also read: The Danger of Traveling with Fake Designer Bags https://www.pursebop.com/the-danger-of-traveling-with-fake-designer-bags/
Well, we do declare you’d better declare . . . your overseas luxury purchases when returning to the United States. And in case you’ve forgotten, the tale of a recent traveler who used to have Global Entry will remind you.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an American returning from Spain to Philadelphia International Airport on Halloween was caught with approximately $80,000 worth of undeclared luxury goods. Among the high-end items discovered in his luggage were an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore watch, handbags from Gucci, Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent, a Dan John bomber jacket, and two pairs of Golden Goose Ball Star sneakers.
CBP officers report that the man repeatedly refused to truthfully declare his purchases, initially claiming he had only spent $700. Even during a secondary examination, the traveler stuck to his story – he’d only spent $700. However, a baggage search revealed receipts and merchandise totaling $80,932.
Beyond what are likely substantial fines and penalties, this traveler also lost his Global Entry privileges. As we’ve written before, revocation of Global Entry is a common consequence when travelers are caught with undeclared purchases.
So, tell us, do you dare not to declare?
To help you avoid similar pitfalls, we’ve compiled some must-read articles covering essential travel tips, customs procedures, and expert advice on traveling with luxury goods — everything you need to know before your next international adventure.
A Maryland couple made headlines for all the wrong reasons after failing to declare nearly $97,000 worth of luxury purchases made in Paris. Their extravagant haul, featuring designer items from Chanel and Hermès, resulted in a customs penalty of $27,289. To make matters worse, they lost their Global Entry privileges—a stark reminder that honesty at customs is non-negotiable.
Read the full story, here.
Planning your next international trip? Before you pack your prized luxury purchases, it’s important to understand the crucial customs procedures that can save you from costly mistakes. PurseBop walks you through the process of properly declaring your overseas purchases when returning to the U.S. Learn about the CBP Form 4457, how it can protect your possessions, and the potential consequences of failing to declare. Avoid hefty fines, penalties, and the loss of Global Entry privileges — make sure your shopping spree doesn’t turn into a customs nightmare.
Check out PurseBop’s tips and tricks, here.
Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to declaring your overseas luxury purchases. The PurseBop in Paris series concludes with valuable insights on VAT, customs, and duties when returning to the United States from the EU. After all the shopping and sightseeing in Paris, it’s time to navigate the process of declaring your purchases at customs.
Discover the customs procedures in detail, here.
Paris is always a good idea, especially when it comes to luxury shopping. However, before you pack your latest finds and head home, it’s essential to understand the customs procedures that can protect your purchases and avoid costly mistakes. With insights into VAT refunds, customs declarations, and the potential consequences of non-compliance, this guide ensures your shopping spree stays as smooth as your return home.
Read more, here.
Authenticity matters more than ever when traveling with luxury handbags. With heightened efforts to combat counterfeit goods, customs officials are paying closer attention than ever. It’s essential to ensure your luxury bags are genuine — and that you’ve got all the right documentation to back them up.
Read the story, here.
Real vs. fake. Image courtesy: FASHIONPHILE
Discover the ultimate guide to traveling with luxury handbags. Explore tips and tricks on navigating airports with your cherished possessions, from crucial customs preparations to protective strategies like bag nesting. Learn how to properly declare your purchases, navigate the CBP Form 4457, and beyond.
Discover the ultimate guide to traveling with luxury, here.
Image courtesy: @xeniaadonts
What strategies do you use to navigate customs with your luxury purchases? Share your tips with us!
Updated: December 11th, 2024
Comments
4 Responses to “CBP Officers Penalize Global Entry Traveler with $80k in Undeclared Overseas Purchases”
Come in illegally & we pay for your stay, leave and come back as a citizen and we turn out your pockets for spending money overseas..
Global entry is a privilege I don’t take lightly. After 16+ hour flights all I want to do is get home. My thoughts are with our rogue beaurocracy certain destinations are targets for scrutiny. I have had “random checks” on returns from UAE,Dubai and Paris not anywhere else. I get checked for cash when flying to points south.
I usually stuff them in my vagina or offer to suck off the officer and I’ve never had to pay for anything else since. Thank god for feminism
I usually stuff them in my vagina or offer to suck off the officer and I’ve never had to pay for anything else since. Thank god for feminism