Four Ways to Avoid a Schwarzenegger-Style Airport Grilling

21.01.2024 - 16:57 / skift.com

International travel, with every country having its own set of rules and regulations, can be a stressful experience — even for celebrities. 

Earlier this week, Arnold Schwarzenegger was stopped by customs officers at Munich Airport for entering Germany with an unregistered luxury watch, according to the Associated Press. The Terminator actor and former California governor was held for routine questioning, a customs spokesperson told the AP. Schwarzenegger was able to leave a couple of hours later. 

The luxury watch at the center of the story was due to be auctioned at a charity event in Austria for the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, an organization the actor founded to raise awareness of climate change. 

Unfortunately for Arnie, goods worth over €430, or around $467, need to be declared, and when necessary, have duty paid on them. The EU also mandates that items used for charity need to be declared upon arrival, but travelers can avoid paying the fees if they can prove the item is being used for a good cause. 

German newspaper Bild reported that Schwarzenegger’s watch is worth around €20,000 ($21,761).

The circumstances of the Schwarzenegger case feel detached from the experience of the average traveler, but there are lots of laws that even we mere mortals should be aware of. To avoid ‘doing an Arnie’ on your next trip, here are four ways to help you fly through airport border control:

When you’re on the road, it’s always a good idea to hope for the best but plan for the worst. With this in mind, many of us will pack our go-to personal care and wellness products to be on the safe side. However, what might be considered an everyday medicine in your home country can be strictly forbidden in another. 

Japan is one destination where travelers need to be extra careful. Certain over-the-counter products used to treat allergies and sinus conditions in the U.S. are banned. According to the Consulate-General of Japan in Miami, inbound visitors to Japan should be especially aware of products with stimulants such as Actifed, Sudafed, and even Vicks inhalers. Several popular prescription medications such as Adderall are also illegal, with only a handful of exceptions. If in doubt, consult the Japanese Government’s English language website here before you go.

The prospect of working overseas might sound attractive, but it usually comes with added formalities. Unlike visiting for a regular vacation, most countries will require you to have extra permissions and visas if you want to take up paid employment while you’re there. 

A high-profile example of this was Jennifer Lawrence, who was briefly detained at a London airport after lying to customs about her visa. The actress flew to the U.K. to audition for a