Luxury watches from globally renowned brands are reportedly smuggled into India through carriers, commonly referred to as mules.
High-end watches are reportedly being brought into India through carrier-based smuggling networks .
Carriers allegedly receive Rs 30,000–Rs 50,000 plus flight expenses .
Around 30 Rolex watches worth nearly Rs 18 crore were examined at Hyderabad airport in April 2026.
Some luxury watches can cost Rs 1 crore to Rs 15 crore or more .
Sources cite UAE and Singapore as important overseas sourcing locations.
Investigators suspect some payments may involve hawala or cryptocurrency transactions .
Authorities are increasing scrutiny of high-value luxury goods at international airports .
The alleged grey market is linked to high import duties, limited availability and strong demand .
Luxury Watches Smuggled Into India? Hyderabad Airport Tightens Checks on High-Value Timepieces
Hyderabad: The growing appetite for ultra-luxury watches among India’s wealthy has reportedly created a parallel market where some buyers are turning to organised smuggling networks to avoid high import duties and financial scrutiny.
According to sources, expensive watches are being brought into India through carriers, often referred to as “mules”, who transport the timepieces through international airports, including Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad.
Brands such as Jacob & Co, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet and Rolex are reportedly among those being sourced through these networks. The carriers are allegedly paid commissions of around Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000, in addition to their flight expenses.
The watches may be worn on the carrier’s wrist or concealed inside luggage in an attempt to avoid attracting the attention of Customs officials.
Hyderabad Airport increases scrutiny
Authorities at RGIA have reportedly stepped up checks on passengers travelling with high-value luxury goods.
In April 2026, Customs and airport authorities examined two passengers who were carrying around 30 Rolex watches with an estimated value of nearly Rs 18 crore. The watches were intercepted so officials could verify their purchase records, source and compliance with applicable Customs requirements.
The passengers were reportedly allowed to continue their journey after authorities found that the necessary documentation was in order.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by enforcement agencies when dealing with extremely valuable items that can be transported relatively easily.
Luxury watches can cost crores
Luxury watches have increasingly become more than accessories for wealthy collectors. Certain rare and limited-edition models can command prices running into several crores.
Sources said some high-end watches are priced from around Rs 1 crore to Rs 15 crore or more, while exceptionally rare, diamond-studded or limited-production pieces can fetch substantially higher prices in collectors’ markets.
According to a source familiar with the developments, some dealers and intermediaries have established overseas networks to obtain exclusive watches and supply them to wealthy clients in India.
The source added that individuals holding large amounts of unaccounted money may approach such networks to purchase watches without creating a conventional financial trail.
Investigators suspect that high import duties, limited availability of sought-after models and rising demand among affluent buyers are helping the grey market expand.
The portability of luxury watches is another factor. Unlike property or large physical assets, a watch worth several crores can potentially be carried across borders, making such items attractive to people attempting to move or conceal unaccounted wealth.
Investigators are also examining how payments for these purchases are made. According to sources, some transactions are suspected to involve informal channels such as hawala networks and, in certain cases, cryptocurrency.
The alleged process can involve a local dealer receiving an order from a customer before contacting an overseas supplier, particularly in Dubai or Singapore. A carrier may then transport the watch into India.
In some cases, the original boxes, warranty cards and other documentation are reportedly shipped separately. Sources suggest this is intended to reduce the amount of material carried by the person transporting the watch and potentially lower the chances of immediate detection.
For Customs and enforcement agencies, the challenge is therefore not limited to identifying the physical watch. Establishing its ownership, purchase value, source of funds and import compliance can also be crucial.
As luxury consumption grows in India, authorities are likely to maintain closer scrutiny of high-value watches and other portable luxury assets.