On Thursday, October 31, at Philadelphia International Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized multiple luxury items valued at over $80,000 from a U.S. citizen arriving from Spain. As explained in a local CBP media release, the Global Entry trusted traveler attempted to avoid paying duties on his merchandise, which is mandatory for any total over $800. Through the story below, Sapp demonstrates the importance of avoiding a 19 USC 1497 violation by declaring purchases made abroad:
During his primary inspection, the traveler declared to a CBP officer that he possessed only $700 in merchandise that he bought on his trip. The primary officer referred the man to a secondary examination where the traveler continued to declare only $700 in merchandise. During a subsequent baggage examination, CBP officers discovered merchandise and receipts totaling $80,932.
The merchandise included an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore watch, Gucci, Chanel, and Yves St Laurent handbags, a Dan John bomber jacket, and two pairs of Golden Goose Ball Star sneakers.
Travelers who fail to truthfully declare the total amount of their purchases that exceed the duty exemption have the option to pay the appropriate duty for their merchandise along with a steep duty penalty, or they may opt to abandon the merchandise.
The article did not specify if the assets were seized or if a penalty was mitigated in person.
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