Why was Arnold Schwarzenegger detained at the Munich airport

Arnold Schwarzenegger found himself spending considerably more time at Munich airport than originally planned, all due to a valuable item he had in his possession. According to a source confirming to PEOPLE, the actor was held by customs agents upon reaching the German city on Wednesday, with TMZ being the first to report on the incident.

The celebrity faced a three-hour delay due to a valuable watch he possessed and was carrying with him. He had intended to include this watch in a charity auction at an upcoming event.

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Comedic Customs Fiasco

Following the detainment, he adhered to the requests of the customs agents. The source stated, "He cooperated at every step even though it was an incompetent shakedown, a total comedy of errors that would make a very funny cop movie."

Schwarzenegger consented to pre-pay potential taxes on the watch, but the process of transferring funds proved to be another intricate challenge. "The officers struggled with a credit card machine for an hour until they eventually abandoned it, opting to take Arnold to a bank and requesting him to withdraw cash from an ATM for the payment," revealed the source. Schwarzenegger was eventually permitted to exit the airport without any additional complications, still in possession of the watch.

Schwarzenegger's Philanthropic Endeavor

Arnold Schwarzenegger is slated to participate in the Dinner & Auction for Environmental Protection at the Stanglwirt on January 18, as outlined in a press release. According to the invitation, "The proceeds will contribute to the Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative, responsible for organizing the annual AUSTRIAN WORLD SUMMIT climate conference in Vienna and supporting climate projects globally."

The regulations in Germany regarding duties and taxes concerning customs stipulate that individuals entering the country from outside the E.U. are obligated to declare "funds of 10,000 euros" or more. Additionally, certain "valuable objects such as jewelry, expensive digital cameras, and so on" may necessitate special procedures.

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