Actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was held for several hours by German customs officials at Munich Airport (MUC) for failing to declare a luxury watch.
Schwarzenegger was reportedly detained for hours on January 17, 2024, after a rare Audemars Piguet watch, which he reportedly planned to auction at a charity event the following day, was found in his luggage.
The 76-year old, who holds dual Austrian and US citizenship, is said to have been on his way to attend a climate charity auction being held in Kitzbühel, Austria.
German media outlet Bild claims that the bespoke Piguet timepiece, valued at $21,739, was made specially for Schwarzenegger.
German customs spokesperson Thomas Meister told several media outlets that criminal tax proceedings will be charged against Schwarzenegger.
Meister said that Schwarzenegger was expected to be able to continue his journey later in the day, but that “the watch will probably have to stay”.
CNN reported that Schwarzenegger agreed to pre-pay potential taxes on the watch.
It is not known how much the actor had to part with, but varying reports have speculated that an amount between $9,800 – $38,000 was required before he was allowed to leave the airport.
