Renowned actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger found himself detained by customs officers at Munich Airport on Wednesday for failing to declare a luxury watch he was wearing during his travels to Austria. The 76-year-old Hollywood star was held for three hours at the German airport, where he intended to auction the watch at a charity event in Kitzbuhel, Austria.
The watch, a custom-made piece by Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet, was bound for Schwarzenegger’s charity auction in support of the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, which funds global climate projects. Despite the actor’s attempt to pay taxes on the watch at the airport, complications arose with the credit card machine, leading to a series of delays, including an unsuccessful attempt to withdraw money from an ATM.
While Schwarzenegger is expected to proceed with his journey, the luxury watch may be retained until proper tax procedures are completed. Customs spokesperson Thomas Meister indicated that a criminal procedure investigation for potential tax evasion is currently underway.
The incident sheds light on the challenges faced by celebrities transporting high-value items across borders and the importance of adhering to customs regulations. As the watch awaits auctioning, the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative assures proper reporting, aligning with the accountability standards upheld by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s philanthropic endeavors.