Zurich resident arrested: Hermès bag not declared to German customs

A Zurich resident was caught last week in Lottstetten (D) by German customs officers because he had not declared a luxury bag he was carrying in his car. The Hermès accessory was purchased for 8,650 euros and the 34-year-old said he wanted to give it as a gift to his girlfriend.

Initially, the Zurich resident told customs officers that he had a bag worth 80 francs. Officers searched the car and found the item along with its receipt in the trunk. The man had to pay taxes amounting to around 2,000 francs. Once the amount was paid, he was able to continue his journey, but he risks criminal prosecution across the Rhine. Any goods worth more than 300 euros must be declared for private travel from Switzerland to Germany.