Checked bags on international flights

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
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Coming back to the states and I was wondering if customs X-rays checked bags on international flights? I'm coming back from Germany and would like to know to avoid and unpleasant entanglements.
 

Jschmuck2

Diamond Member
Jul 13, 2005
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I'm going to take a guess and say: yes, absolutely without question. Also, get ready to take off your shoes.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,375
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I believe they actually open the bags up and search through them. I know when I just got back from Cancun my stuff had been opened and physically searched in.

When I left Aruba I actually witnessed the AA person doing it, as they did it right in front of me and asked me questions. This time though, I gave my bag to the Delta guys and they all had rubber gloves on and I believe they checked them behind closed doors.
 

NuroMancer

Golden Member
Nov 8, 2004
1,684
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Originally posted by: purbeast0
I believe they actually open the bags up and search through them. I know when I just got back from Cancun my stuff had been opened and physically searched in.

When I left Aruba I actually witnessed the AA person doing it, as they did it right in front of me and asked me questions. This time though, I gave my bag to the Delta guys and they all had rubber gloves on and I believe they checked them behind closed doors.

They check the bags if they lack a proper xray machine for baggage.

I know for a fact that Germany has the equipment, and will be xraying your bag.

As for how to avoid unplease entanglements, don't transport whatever it is that you shouldn't be.
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
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Ok then, does anyone know the limit of liquor that can be carried in a checked bag for each individual?

EDIT: When I hit German customs coming over with my family the only time I saw them stop someone is when my sister carried her lacrosse bag through and they thought it held a gun or something.

EDIT 2: I will be leaving from Germany and then have a layover in a major international hub where most likely my bags will be checked on through. Anyone know if they will check them there or at my final destination?
 

NuroMancer

Golden Member
Nov 8, 2004
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Originally posted by: roguerower
Ok then, does anyone know the limit of liquor that can be carried in a checked bag for each individual?

EDIT: When I hit German customs coming over with my family the only time I saw them stop someone is when my sister carried her lacrosse bag through and they thought it held a gun or something.


What country?

There is typically a limit, for example IIRC Canada's is 40 oz of liquors or wine or 24 cans of beer.

Above that you have to fill out a import form and pay accordingly I believe.

Don't quote me on this :)
 

jjones

Lifer
Oct 9, 2001
15,424
2
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1 liter is duty free, and you'll need to pay duty on additional bottles. I've come through with a couple bottles though and haven't been charged for it. In my experience, they're usually lenient about it, but that's no guarantee. Expect to pay if you carry more than 1 bottle, and if you don't, then just thank the nice customs officer and move on.

Edit: Here's the info from customs:

Alcoholic Beverages
One liter (33.8 fl. oz.) of alcoholic beverages may be included in your exemption if:

You are 21 years old.
It is for your own use or as a gift.
It does not violate the laws of the state in which you arrive.

Federal regulations allow you to bring back more than one liter of alcoholic beverage for personal use, but, as with extra tobacco, you will have to pay duty and Internal Revenue Service tax.


While Federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol you may bring back for personal use, unusual quantities are liable to raise suspicions that you are importing the alcohol for other purposes, such as for resale. CBP officers are authorized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to make on-the-spot determinations that an importation is for commercial purposes, and may require you to obtain a permit to import the alcohol before releasing it to you. If you intend to bring back a substantial quantity of alcohol for your personal use, you should contact the port through which you will be re-entering the country, and make prior arrangements for entering the alcohol into the United States.


Also, you should be aware that state laws might limit the amount of alcohol you can bring in without a license. If you arrive in a state that has limitations on the amount of alcohol you may bring in without a license, that state law will be enforced by CBP, even though it may be more restrictive than federal regulations. We recommend that you check with the state government before you go abroad about their limitations on quantities allowed for personal importation and additional state taxes that might apply.


In brief, for both alcohol and tobacco, the quantities discussed in this booklet as being eligible for duty-free treatment may be included in your $800 or $1,600 exemption, just as any other purchase would be. But unlike other kinds of merchandise, amounts beyond those discussed here as being duty-free are taxed, even if you have not exceeded, or even met, your personal exemption. For example, if your exemption is $800 and you bring back three liters of wine and nothing else, two of those liters will be dutiable. Federal law prohibits shipping alcoholic beverages by mail within the United States.
 

Uppsala9496

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 2001
5,272
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Originally posted by: jjones
1 liter is duty free, and you'll need to pay duty on additional bottles. I've come through with a couple bottles though and haven't been charged for it. In my experience, they're usually lenient about it, but that's no guarantee. Expect to pay if you carry more than 1 bottle, and if you don't, then just thank the nice customs officer and move on.

I've never had a problem bringing more into the US.
The only place I ran into a problem bringing (sneaking) more than allowed into the country was Sweden (coming from the US). They nailed me for 3 1.75l bottles. The custom agent was kind enough to let me keep 1 of my choice (technically they could have taken all 2 since I was only allowed 1 litre). I was hit with what equated to a $400US fine and got to watch them pour my booze down the drain.
I could have gone to court over it to contest (not a leg to stand on there) it and then watched them pour it out, but I had better things to do with my time. I waived that option and watched them dispose of it. It was so sad to see all that booze go down the drain.
 

2Xtreme21

Diamond Member
Jun 13, 2004
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I flew into Newark at the beginning of the month after my 2 months in France and had I known the customs agent would act this way, I woulda brought a whole suitcase full of wine back. Basically we had to wait at baggage claim to get our luggage. Once we got it, we walked through a hallway with a guy standing at the end, to which we gave him our landing cards (things we fill out on the plane declaring what we have and so forth). The guy was reading a magazine and obviously didn't care whatsoever what was coming into the US.

We then re-checked our bags and that was that.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: jjones
1 liter is duty free, and you'll need to pay duty on additional bottles. I've come through with a couple bottles though and haven't been charged for it. In my experience, they're usually lenient about it, but that's no guarantee. Expect to pay if you carry more than 1 bottle, and if you don't, then just thank the nice customs officer and move on.

That's my experience as well. Yes they x-ray bags. Absolutely they do. Sometimes even a hand search, especially if they ask you a question point blank "any spirits or alcohol in here?" Don't say NO. They can see it right there on the X-ray.

Just be cooperative and nice and you likely won't have any trouble. I've carried multiple (6-8) 750 ml bottles right on through in my hand from the duty free shops abroad.



 

Yreka

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2005
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it's a dildo. Of course it's company policy never to, imply ownership in the event of a dildo... always use the indefinite article a dildo, never your dildo.
 

syee

Senior member
Oct 6, 2001
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Originally posted by: roguerower
Ok then, does anyone know the limit of liquor that can be carried in a checked bag for each individual?

EDIT: When I hit German customs coming over with my family the only time I saw them stop someone is when my sister carried her lacrosse bag through and they thought it held a gun or something.

EDIT 2: I will be leaving from Germany and then have a layover in a major international hub where most likely my bags will be checked on through. Anyone know if they will check them there or at my final destination?

I'm not sure about the rules in Germany but if they're anything like here, you probably wouldn't be able to bring the liquor through security checkpoints anyways. You'd pretty much have to buy it from the duty free to get any liquids past security. (I'm referring to the rule about no more than 4oz of liquids in carry on bags)
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
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Ok then, here's a different question but along the same lines. I'm flying into Atlanta International (Hartfield-Jackson is the name i think) and I have a 5 hour layover in between flights. I will be checking my bags through however. Will the bags be taken straight off of that plane and put in line for my connection or will they be searched/x-rayed and then thrown in line?

EDIT: Btw, the reason I'm asking so many questions is that this is the first time flying internationally alone before (on a commercial flight).
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
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You will claim your baggage and take it through customs where it will be x-rayed either in front of you or when you re-check your baggage for your connecting flight.

That's what customes is there for. To see and inspect what you are bringing into the country.