Schwarzenegger detained in Munich for not declaring an AP
Hollywood action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger has been detained by customs at Munich airport for failing to declare an expensive watch.
The Austrian-born actor and former governor of California, 76, was held in the customs area on Wednesday afternoon after arriving from the US, Munich Main Customs Office spokesman Thomas Meister said.
“We have initiated criminal proceedings under tax law. The watch should have been registered because it is an import,” he continued.
“If the goods remain in the EU, you have to declare them through customs. This applies to everyone, whether their name is Schwarzenegger or Müller, Meier, Huber.”
Schwarzenegger is in Europe for the World Climate Summit in Kitzbühel, Austria.
Mr Meister went on to say the former bodybuilder remained with customs officials while his luggage was checked.
“This takes a bit of time,” he explained.
According to Mr Meister, Schwarzenegger was expected to be able to continue his journey later in the day but “the watch will probably have to stay”.
The luxury timepiece was due to be auctioned at a fundraising dinner for Schwarzenegger’s climate initiative in Kitzbuehel on Thursday, the Bild daily newspaper reported.
Items typically auctioned at such dinners include works of art and signed memorabilia, according to the initiative’s website.
The bespoke timepiece was made specially for Schwarzenegger by luxury Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet, Bild reported.
I've loved watches all my life, going back to the 1980s. Current watchbox: Seiko, Bulova, and Casio.
It wouldn't be the first time Arnold had trouble getting through customs.
It wouldn't be the first time Arnold had trouble getting through customs.
Always made me think of Robert Smith from The Cure
Oops.