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$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia Airport
A Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Philadelphia seized this Cartier bracelet and ring, valued at a combined $251,269.
Philadelphia—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than $250,000 worth of undeclared Cartier jewelry from a Pennsylvania woman returning from Europe late last month.
According to a news release from CBP, the woman arrived at Philadelphia International Airport from Amsterdam on Oct. 25.
Prior to her arrival, CBP officers obtained information indicating she had purchased a Cartier bracelet valued at $183,818 and a Cartier ring valued at $67,811.
Upon arrival, she was selected for a secondary baggage examination.
During the inspection, she initially told CBP officers that she had purchased only a few thousand dollars’ worth of souvenirs.
Officers said she was given several opportunities to declare the jewelry, but she failed to do so.
After the officers told her that they were aware of her purchases, she declared the items and later admitted she had discarded the jewelry boxes and receipts, according to the release.
CBP seized the jewelry for failure to declare and for alleged violations of federal customs laws.
The woman may not get the jewelry back.
“Customs can retain the items after the legal process is complete, in which case they are considered forfeited to the government,” said Sara Yood, president, CEO, and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
“Typically, if the items are of value, the government eventually sells them through an auction.”
Seizures like this are rare, a CBP spokesperson told National Jeweler, noting that officers give people several chances to truthfully declare all merchandise they purchase on an overseas trip.
When travelers are not truthful, officers also have the option to charge a duty penalty on top of the duty owed on their overseas purchases.
The decision to seize the jewelry took into account how often the woman traveled and her intent to conceal the items, said a CBP spokesperson.
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According to a news release from CBP, the woman arrived at Philadelphia International Airport from Amsterdam on Oct. 25.
Prior to her arrival, CBP officers obtained information indicating she had purchased a Cartier bracelet valued at $183,818 and a Cartier ring valued at $67,811.
Upon arrival, she was selected for a secondary baggage examination.
During the inspection, she initially told CBP officers that she had purchased only a few thousand dollars’ worth of souvenirs.
Officers said she was given several opportunities to declare the jewelry, but she failed to do so.
After the officers told her that they were aware of her purchases, she declared the items and later admitted she had discarded the jewelry boxes and receipts, according to the release.
CBP seized the jewelry for failure to declare and for alleged violations of federal customs laws.
The woman may not get the jewelry back.
“Customs can retain the items after the legal process is complete, in which case they are considered forfeited to the government,” said Sara Yood, president, CEO, and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee.
“Typically, if the items are of value, the government eventually sells them through an auction.”
Seizures like this are rare, a CBP spokesperson told National Jeweler, noting that officers give people several chances to truthfully declare all merchandise they purchase on an overseas trip.
When travelers are not truthful, officers also have the option to charge a duty penalty on top of the duty owed on their overseas purchases.
The decision to seize the jewelry took into account how often the woman traveled and her intent to conceal the items, said a CBP spokesperson.
Travelers returning to the United States are required to declare all things acquired abroad, including gifts and personal items.
They may be eligible for a personal duty exemption for merchandise purchased abroad, said CBP.
In most cases, the personal exemption is $800, meaning they only owe duty on the combined value of all merchandise they purchase overseas if it’s more than $800.
Failure to declare the items or concealing them may result in seizure, penalties, and other enforcement actions, CBP said.
Officers also submitted a request that this traveler’s Global Entry membership be revoked because she violated the terms and conditions of the CBP Trusted Traveler Program.
“Incidents like this allow CBP to remind trusted travelers and all travelers that CBP conducts compliance exams even on trusted travelers, and that there are consequences for violating customs declaration laws,” the CBP spokesperson said.
“Trusted traveler membership is not a license to violate U.S. laws.”
Global Entry, one of CBP’s four Trusted Traveler Programs, allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers the opportunity for expedited clearance when arriving in the U.S. and access to TSA PreCheck for eligible domestic flights.
“Trusted Traveler Program members are expected to accurately declare their purchases and comply with all customs requirements. When members violate those obligations, CBP may take enforcement action, including revocation of program membership,” Elliot N. Ortiz, CBP’s Area Port Director in Philadelphia, said in the release.
The agency encouraged travelers to review its “Know Before You Go” guidance before traveling abroad.
CBP said it is the nation’s second-largest revenue generator behind only the IRS. It has collected nearly $307 billion in duties, taxes, and fees on merchandise imports during fiscal year 2026.
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