Twelve Patek Philippe references, Manhattan to a Monaco family office in 52 hours
A three-jurisdiction movement (US export, France import, Monaco delivery) with a single broker of record. Most forwarders split this across three handoffs. We kept it with one team and one custodian from door to door.
The challenge
A New York-based collector was consolidating twelve rare Patek Philippe references into a family office in Monaco. Monaco is not a customs point. Every shipment must first clear French customs, then travel under a French bonded transfer. Most forwarders split this across three brokers, introducing delays and lost-file risk on a $2.6M collection.
What we built
- A single Meridian customs team held the file across all three jurisdictions: US CBP, French DGDDI, Monaco's Direction des Services Fiscaux.
- Pre-filed French import entry with exact HS classification for each of the twelve pieces.
- Chartered the New York to Nice leg to avoid Paris CDG, where the prior collector's shipment had been delayed six hours.
- Meridian custodian traveled with the parcel as accompanied baggage, dual-signature handover at every stage.
- All-risk insurance for $2.6M, with a policy written to include provenance documentation.
The journey
Vault release at 08:00 Wednesday from Meridian's Manhattan facility. Charter from Teterboro at 15:00 Eastern. Wheels down at Nice at 05:30 local Thursday. French bonded transfer cleared at 08:00. Arrival at the Monaco family office at 10:30 Thursday. 52 hours from vault release to delivery signature, with zero customs exceptions.
The outcome
Twelve pieces arrived in original condition, all matching documented provenance photographs at handover. The family office received and verified the shipment within 45 minutes. Since this shipment, the same collector has moved four additional consignments through Meridian.
"Three jurisdictions, one forwarder, one signature chain. That is what I pay premium for." — Client (name withheld per request)
Meridian ran this engagement end-to-end. Pre-clearance, custodial handovers, and final delivery were handled by our own operations team. Every scan visible on the public tracking page in real time.
