Unopened iPhone 6+ box and airport security

RockyIV said:

Hey! I've been reading these forums for years, I finally signed up today to ask the following:

I received my iPhone 6 Plus 128gb Gold today. It's a Christmas present, so the plan is to bring the unopened box with me on a plane to Europe in December. Does anyone have any experience with being hassled by TSA officers over an unopened iPhone box? Will they ask you to open it, if it's in your hand luggage?

Would it be safer to put it in my suitcase? (damage/theft)

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Why would they ask you to open it? They can see it in the X-Ray machine, I don't see why that would be an issue.

I'm a frequent traveler and have brought all kinds of electronics on board. I see no issue bringing this through.

I would not recommend you put it in your checked luggage. Something that small and desirable has a higher probability of not being in that suitcase when you get back on the other side.

I would definitely not put a brand-new iPhone in checked luggage.

When you go through security, you are supposed to take all electronics out of your briefcases or purses, and have them scanned separately. In most cases, this is all they would ask for. But in theory, they can ask you to power up a device in front of them to prove that it is a working machine, although that rarely happens. I would definitely take such a risk over having it stolen from my checked luggage.

Worse case scenario is that your phone got unboxed at security. I am sure whoever receiving this gift would understand.

silverblack said:

I would definitely not put a brand-new iPhone in checked luggage.

When you go through security, you are supposed to take all electronics out of your briefcases or purses, and have them scanned separately. In most cases, this is all they would ask for. But in theory, they can ask you to power up a device in front of them to prove that it is a working machine, although that rarely happens. I would definitely take such a risk over having it stolen from my checked luggage.

Worse case scenario is that your phone got unboxed at security. I am sure whoever receiving this gift would understand.

Click to expand...

Phones, tablets, cameras are not required to be removed from bags.

Only laptops.

OP,
Shove in your carryon bag, leave it there.

Menel said:

Phones, tablets, cameras are not required to be removed from bags.

Only laptops.

OP,
Shove in your carryon bag, leave it there.

Click to expand...

Phones are required to be powered on if you're on an international flight to the United States:

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2014/07/06/enhanced-security-measures-certain-airports-overseas

I think the OP should be OK when going to Europe, though.

On my recent overseas trip they have asked me to power on all my personal devices in front of them, including my Macbook, iPhone, PS Vita, and Nexus 7.

Still, I echo the sentiment of not checking it, I had an iPad mini I won in Las Vegas mysteriously disappear from my checked luggage.

FYI, on a trip to Italy my wife and I were one of the last people to get on the plane and on the skywalk we were informed there was no more room in the overhead and our luggage would need to be checked (free of charge as it was not our fault). OK, so before handing over our bags I quickly wrapped our digital cameras in socks and stuck them in one of the bags to reduce what I was carrying around. I think you can see where this is going. The cameras were gone when we picked up the bags in Italy. There were only four people watching me stuff the cameras in the bag and I'm sure it was one of them and not someone in Italy. My point is that you should never put anything of real value in your checked luggage.

RockyIV said:

Hey! I've been reading these forums for years, I finally signed up today to ask the following:

I received my iPhone 6 Plus 128gb Gold today. It's a Christmas present, so the plan is to bring the unopened box with me on a plane to Europe in December. Does anyone have any experience with being hassled by TSA officers over an unopened iPhone box? Will they ask you to open it, if it's in your hand luggage?

Would it be safer to put it in my suitcase? (damage/theft)

Thanks!

Click to expand...

As far as I know the US requires all electronic devices to be turned on through security now otherwise u have to leave ur device or u cannot board the plane. There are warnings all over the airport here.

Also u may get into trouble with European customs and they will ask u to pay 19+ tax or whatever if they think you bought it to sell it over here especially if it's still in its untouched packaging

I would just do carry on. I highly doubt they will have you open it. Thats what the xray machines are for.

schizbomb said:

Still, I echo the sentiment of not checking it, I had an iPad mini I won in Las Vegas mysteriously disappear from my checked luggage.

Click to expand...

+1 this. Just the other week, my friend's wife accidentally took his phone (Note 4) with her by mistake to the airport. She asked TSA if she could leave the phone with them for half an hour so he could drive back to the airport and get it. The TSA woman blatantly said "I wouldn't trust even leaving my own phone here. It'd be gone before your husband comes to get it." Pretty sad, right?

RockyIV said:

Hey! I've been reading these forums for years, I finally signed up today to ask the following:

I received my iPhone 6 Plus 128gb Gold today. It's a Christmas present, so the plan is to bring the unopened box with me on a plane to Europe in December. Does anyone have any experience with being hassled by TSA officers over an unopened iPhone box? Will they ask you to open it, if it's in your hand luggage?

Would it be safer to put it in my suitcase? (damage/theft)

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I know in the past, TSA use to have people turn on their laptops and cell phones, now they don't, so I think you're fine with your unopened box.

MkVsTheWorld said:

Phones are required to be powered on if you're on an international flight to the United States:

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2014/07/06/enhanced-security-measures-certain-airports-overseas

I think the OP should be OK when going to Europe, though.

Click to expand...

bushido said:

As far as I know the US requires all electronic devices to be turned on through security now otherwise u have to leave ur device or u cannot board the plane. There are warnings all over the airport here.

Also u may get into trouble with European customs and they will ask u to pay 19+ tax or whatever if they think you bought it to sell it over here especially if it's still in its untouched packaging

Click to expand...

RockyIV said:

Wow, that sounds like a real hassle. Last time I travelled to Europe (July) they didn't check any of my devices (2 phones, 3ds and laptop). I'm glad I asked this question then. I guess I'll make a small cut in the plastic wrap before I leave, just in case they ask me to turn it on.

I'm not selling it, it's a Christmas present so I'd like to keep it sealed, but I certainly don't want to pick a fight with airport security!

Click to expand...

MkVsTheWorld is, and I believe bushido also is, talking about flights TO the US.

You'll be fine leaving - and as a tourist, I've never had a European customs officer ask to see what I'm carrying.

I would definitely take it as a carry on, but there's a chance you will have to open it and scan it separately. Five years ago I was on a flight from DC to Tokyo and I was bringing a sealed Mac mini back for a colleague. They made me open it and scan just the mini separately from everything else. But that's much better than it getting stolen or damaged in your checked luggage. I'm actually doing the same thing with a 6 later this year and my experience with the mini got me thinking about it, but this time I won't be traveling to or from the US.

op honestly I really wouldn't be too surprised if they asked to open it and turn the device on. Sure it will go through the X-ray machine but depending on the guard at the airport it may be 50/50.

Differently do not put it in your suitcase. Couple of my friends did in the past and it was stolen.
I personally travelled with couple iPhones in my trolley bag in the past. I passed TSA With no questions asked. I believe it's the safest way to do it

RockyIV said:

I'm just worried that because it's in a sealed box, they'll suspect it's a threat of some sort and ask me to open it and turn it on. I guess an additional run through the X-ray machine will prove them wrong.



I'll definitely put it with my hand luggage then. Better be safe than sorry.

Click to expand...

How will the X-ray know it's sealed?

617aircav said:

How will the X-ray know it's sealed?

Click to expand...

It won't, but there's a good chance they will make you take out all electronics and prove they work.

geoff5093 said:

It won't, but there's a good chance they will make you take out all electronics and prove they work.

Click to expand...

Haven't had them ask for that in many years.

MkVsTheWorld said:

Phones are required to be powered on if you're on an international flight to the United States:

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2014/07/06/enhanced-security-measures-certain-airports-overseas

I think the OP should be OK when going to Europe, though.

Click to expand...

Just came back from Europe 3 weeks ago and did not have to turn my phone on. Only had to send thru the X-ray machine in my back pack.

GoSh4rks said:

Haven't had them ask for that in many years.

Click to expand...

It's somewhat recent for them to ask this, they actually state online that any electronics you bring must be able to be powered up to check that they work. Especially on international flights

geoff5093 said:

It's somewhat recent for them to ask this, they actually state online that any electronics you bring must be able to be powered up to check that they work. Especially on international flights

Click to expand...

Well, that's not the same as them actually asking as you pass security. Have you experienced it or seen it happen?