Arnold Schwarzenegger detained at Munich airport for not declaring high-value watch

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to face criminal tax proceedings in Germany for allegedly failing to declare a valuable item upon his arrival. A press officer from Munich Customs revealed on Wednesday that the former California governor did not declare a product imported from non-EU countries, which is a standard procedure for all travelers entering the EU.

Thomas Meister, the press officer, stated that Schwarzenegger was detained for over two hours and then released to continue his journey. The incident revolves around a watch that Schwarzenegger owns, and he was reportedly carrying it to potentially auction it at his charity event in Kitzbuhel, Austria.

A source close to the actor informed CNN that the watch in question is from the Swiss luxury brand Audemars Piguet. The source emphasized that Schwarzenegger was never provided with a declaration form but responded truthfully to all questions posed by customs officers. The source characterized the situation as an “incompetent shakedown” and a “total comedy of errors.”

Despite the unconventional circumstances, Schwarzenegger cooperated throughout the process. The source mentioned that the actor agreed to pre-pay any potential taxes related to the watch. However, the customs officers reportedly faced difficulties in handling the payment, as they struggled with a credit card machine for an hour before deciding to take Schwarzenegger to a bank.

The source described the episode as a humorous scenario fit for a cop movie. The actor’s willingness to comply and the officers’ struggles, including a visit to a closed bank, created a series of comical events. Ultimately, a new credit card machine was brought in, and the payment process was completed successfully.

While the incident caused a delay and inconvenience for Schwarzenegger, it appears to be a case of bureaucratic mishaps rather than intentional wrongdoing. The source highlighted the actor’s honesty and cooperation during the entire ordeal, portraying it as an unintentional comedy of errors that unfolded during the customs check.

The news of Schwarzenegger facing criminal tax proceedings in Germany has drawn attention, with many expressing amusement at the peculiar circumstances surrounding the incident. The actor’s charity auction in Kitzbuhel, where the watch was intended to be showcased, may now have an added layer of intrigue and publicity due to this unexpected turn of events.