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Bring 2 new IPad 2s to Taiwan from Florida? Checked or Carry-on? Pass TSA?
- Thread starter blueblue
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As long as you run the bag they are in through the XRay you are good to go. However, Taiwan customs might nail you for duty. If you put them in your checked bag assume you either never see them again or they will arrive crushed/DOA. That way you won't be too disappointed.
Former TSA officer here:
You can bring the iPads in with your carry-on bag, but TSA reserves the right to unpackage them if they find any cause for concern (obviously this isn't an issue if you are not trying to keep them sealed/shrinkwrapped). Most of the time this is due to uncertainty at the x-ray machine. TSA officers are urged to call for inspection if they are uncertain of an x-ray image that could reflect dangerous materials; and lithium ion batteries tend to resemble dangerous materials under x-ray. If you really want to bring them as carry-on, I would pull the boxes out of your luggage and put them in a tray with nothing on top or below them. (don't stack them if you have more than one!!)
If you go this route, also be sure to stay within viewing distance of the iPads, and if at any point an officer asks you to step aside, tell them you do not want to lose track of your belongings. This way another officer will be required to grab your trays (after they pass through x-ray) and keep them where you can see them.
EDIT: if you want to bring them through as carry-on you will almost definately have to break the package seal. Unless you get a very laxed officer, an x-ray image of the iPad in box with the adapter and cable below it will look potentially dangerous to most proactive TSA officers.
You can bring the iPads in with your carry-on bag, but TSA reserves the right to unpackage them if they find any cause for concern (obviously this isn't an issue if you are not trying to keep them sealed/shrinkwrapped). Most of the time this is due to uncertainty at the x-ray machine. TSA officers are urged to call for inspection if they are uncertain of an x-ray image that could reflect dangerous materials; and lithium ion batteries tend to resemble dangerous materials under x-ray. If you really want to bring them as carry-on, I would pull the boxes out of your luggage and put them in a tray with nothing on top or below them. (don't stack them if you have more than one!!)
If you go this route, also be sure to stay within viewing distance of the iPads, and if at any point an officer asks you to step aside, tell them you do not want to lose track of your belongings. This way another officer will be required to grab your trays (after they pass through x-ray) and keep them where you can see them.
EDIT: if you want to bring them through as carry-on you will almost definately have to break the package seal. Unless you get a very laxed officer, an x-ray image of the iPad in box with the adapter and cable below it will look potentially dangerous to most proactive TSA officers.
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The TSA lock just means that people at the airport have a key to open the lock without cutting it off if your bag gets flagged for inspection. If you check them, they will not arrive in Taiwan.
Thank you!
If I want to keep the 2 ipads unopened, what would be the better way for me to go?
1. Pull the boxes out of my luggage and put them in a tray with nothing on top or below them.
2. Put them inside my carry-on luggage and let them pass through the x-ray?
Thanks.
TSA locks are worthless. I can pick one in no time flat. No lie using a hair pin and a piece of windshield wiper metal that I bent to make a torque with.
Also you don't even have to pick the lock. You can use a ball point pin and up the zipper. Look it up.
All I'm saying I wouldn't put it in checked bags. You can do it and nothing may not happen but I NEVER put anything I'm not willing to lose in checked bags.
it's probably overkill here, but i remember photographers checked their equipment in locked cases with a starter pistol. since it's a firearm, the tsa is required to inspect everything at check in, and then you can lock it with real locks, not standard baggage locks. after that, the tsa is forbidden from opening the cases in transit.
or my memory could be failing me horribly...
or my memory could be failing me horribly...
2. Put them in your carry-on and let them pass through the x-ray. If TSA can't detect what they are they will ask you to put them in the x-ray alone or may ask you to open them but I've had my iPad in a briefcase w/ tons of other docs and never been questioned once.
They may get opened to be inspected. And depending on Taiwan's duty requirements, you may have to declare them and pay a fee.