Several FH staff searched baggage and freight to unearth any fraudulent timepieces that could wind up being exhibited at Baselworld.

For a number of years the FH has conducted surveillance activities at Zurich and Basel airports in the days preceding the opening of Baselworld. The aim is to check watches entering Switzerland through passenger and freight channels in order to detect fraudulent geographical indications of Swiss origin, thereby nipping in the bud any attempt to exhibit such pieces at the Show.

This year, FH staff was present in Zurich on 23 and 24 April and in Basel on 24 April to fulfil its surveillance brief. As usual, collaboration with customs and the Precious Metals Inspection Bureau was excellent and extremely rewarding.

To ensure that controls are as efficient as possible, three main tasks are carried out: firstly, a systematic verification is made of ATA carnets.
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