Hollywood legend and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently faced a delay at Munich Airport due to an incident involving a high-value luxury watch. Schwarzenegger, who was in Germany en route to a charity auction in Austria, was held by customs officials for about two and a half hours for a routine check.
The issue centered around a watch valued at approximately 20,000 euros ($21,739), made by Swiss manufacturer Audemars Piguet and specially designed for Schwarzenegger. According to EU customs regulations, any goods over 430 euros ($467) that are intended to remain within the European Union must be declared and potentially subjected to duty.
Schwarzenegger’s Climate Initiative stated that the actor was traveling with the watch for his charity auction in Kitzbuehel, Austria. The organization criticized the detention as an “incompetent shakedown,” while confirming that Schwarzenegger cooperated fully and agreed to prepay any potential taxes on the watch.
Despite the hiccup, the watch was still expected to be auctioned, with the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative committing to proper reporting of the sale. The organization emphasized the significant contributions of Schwarzenegger’s charity auctions, which raise millions annually for children’s after-school programs in the U.S. and global environmental efforts.
The case is now being reviewed by a customs penalty body in Augsburg to determine the appropriate course of action. Schwarzenegger’s commitment to philanthropy and environmental causes continues to be a major focus of his post-political and acting career.
