The Delhi High Court has ruled that a single Rolex watch cannot be treated as a commercial quantity. The judgment came after Delhi Customs detained a Rolex belonging to a Dubai resident at IGI Airport, alleging it was for commercial use.
A division bench of Justices Pratibha M Singh and Sahil Jain stated that one luxury watch is clearly for personal use and does not fall under the definition of a commercial quantity. The court also directed the petitioner to redeem the watch by paying the fine before October 31, 2025.
Case Background
The case began when a Dubai-based passenger arrived in India carrying a single Rolex watch, which was detained by Customs officials for alleged non-declaration. The Commissioner of Customs, IGI Airport, initially allowed redemption but wrongly classified the watch as commercial goods.
Challenging this order, the petitioner argued that a single luxury watch cannot be considered as a bulk item or intended for sale, and is legally valid as personal property.
Court’s Observations
The bench highlighted:
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One Rolex watch is not a commercial quantity.
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There is no reason why it cannot be kept for personal use.
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Customs authorities should exercise caution in future adjudications to avoid such disputes.
Final Order
The High Court allowed the petition, upholding the redemption process but correcting the misclassification. The petitioner has been instructed to:
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Pay the redemption fine by October 31, 2025.
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Collect the detained Rolex watch as per the original Customs order.
