Emirates Skywards - Check-in LED TV from US?

This Sri and I am a United States Resident living in Dallas.
I am travelling from Dallas-Dubai-India (Hyderabad) in the month of Nov. I am planning to take a LED TV from US (because in India it is so expensive).

Now I have a confusion on checkin LED TV like safety and size. I am interested to take 46'' TV, but check-in allowed total dimension max of 62'' (L+W+H) and My LED TV looks like it is around 80'' (L+W+H).

What is the solution for this? How to take TV with me?

Please advice me and thanks in advance.

This Sri and I am a United States Resident living in Dallas.
I am travelling from Dallas-Dubai-India (Hyderabad) in the month of Nov. I am planning to take a LED TV from US (because in India it is so expensive).

Now I have a confusion on checkin LED TV like safety and size. I am interested to take 46'' TV, but check-in allowed total dimension max of 62'' (L+W+H) and My LED TV looks like it is around 80'' (L+W+H).

What is the solution for this? How to take TV with me?

Please advice me and thanks in advance.

check with the Emirates....have seen some airlines offering this facility (carrying TVs) for a charge.....Jet Airways has it for sure

This Sri and I am a United States Resident living in Dallas.
I am travelling from Dallas-Dubai-India (Hyderabad) in the month of Nov. I am planning to take a LED TV from US (because in India it is so expensive).

Now I have a confusion on checkin LED TV like safety and size. I am interested to take 46'' TV, but check-in allowed total dimension max of 62'' (L+W+H) and My LED TV looks like it is around 80'' (L+W+H).

What is the solution for this? How to take TV with me?

Please advice me and thanks in advance.

it seems Emirates allows 80"....check with them...you should be able to do that

Oh you can check in a very large item, beyond 80 inches. You should be fine. I remember reading that the item length needs to be less than 3 metres, I can't recall where though.

As a side note, someone I met at university did something similar many years ago and had to bribe customs in DEL to get his TV through. I suspect things haven't changed much, have they? ;)

it seems Emirates allows 80"....check with them...you should be able to do that

Hi ginger,

where did you see 80" allowed. As you suggested, I called them and they are just reading instructions. one piece max allowed 62", if morethan that $175 USD upto 80" only.

Please let me know, where did you that information?.

i'd be more worried if the TV can actually work in india due to the voltage differences

EK accepts kayaks and surfing boards up to 3 metres in length, they will accept your tv but expect to cough up a bit of cash as weight wise you would be over your limit.

It is not just voltage but also the broadcast system. India is on PAL while the US uses NTSC.

The OP probably has everything figured out anyway, but:

PAL vs NTSC isn't much of an issue if your TV broadcaster uses one of the newer set-top boxes which output HDMI. If that's not the case, converters are available.

You could get voltage converters on Amazon and the like; they might be really marked up in India. The power rating of the converter should be higher than the power rating of the TV.

Customs in India - Anyone know?

Assuming you have these kinks worked out though, Emirates from my experience should be okay taking large items (unless they are really heavy, which TVs aren't), but I haven't ever tried that ex-North America. Call them up: +1 800 777 3999

You could get voltage converters on Amazon and the like; they might be really marked up in India. The power rating of the converter should be higher than the power rating of the TV.



for something that draws as much power as a tv i think you need a small transformer, not a converter. besides, most converters have warning labels saying that it should not be used for more than 30 mins continuously

for something that draws as much power as a tv i think you need a small transformer, not a converter

That's what I meant to say, I just used the wrong word. My bad.

If at all this fails, another option the OP can look into would be to buy the TV in Dubai on the way. Model numbers may work differently though, and you may end up paying a higher list price (but it might work out around the same if you take into account sales taxes). Dubai uses 220V and PAL, so you won't have those issues. And I'm willing to bet that Emirates would be more likely to let you check it in - despite the fact that your ticket might be using the piece concept for checked items.

Customs in India - Anyone know?


I'm in Bangkok once a month, I have not seen an Indian without a TV of some kind at the airport, and there are a lot of Indians in Bangkok airport. Some even have 2-3 of them so I'm gathering that they really are expensive in India and customs mustn't have a problem because literally everyone brings them back.

for something that draws as much power as a tv i think you need a small transformer, not a converter. besides, most converters have warning labels saying that it should not be used for more than 30 mins continuously

I have my US TV in a country with a different broadcast system, and use a box to convert the signal, and a 2000W transformer - TVs draw a lot when starting up.

Hi ginger,

where did you see 80" allowed. As you suggested, I called them and they are just reading instructions. one piece max allowed 62", if morethan that $175 USD upto 80" only.

Please let me know, where did you that information?.

Sri, I got the same $175 up to 80" 'oversize' info. when I called a couple weeks ago. My sister and her family (5 pax) were flying JFK-DXB-LHE. One of the cartons is about 82". Decided to take a chance at the airport. No problem at the check-in. The lady at the check-in was nice enough not to even charge the oversize fee. Please take it as a huge YMMV.

Thank guys for your help information.

That's true,In Indian voltage and Broadcast system is different than the US. I don't have issue voltage in US because couple companies supports 220 volts like LG, SONY, PANASONIC and etc.

and I know any one electronic guys in my city he converts NTSC to PAL systems. No issues there too.

I am worrying at check-in site.

I heard in Dubai couple of electronics shops does Door-To-Door delivery. Is it true? . Because while coming from India, I am staying 2 days in Dubai for visiting and shopping. So I can buy and ship from there.

Let me know, if anybody experience on this?

-Sri

If you're in Dubai before you're in the states - go to stores in Dubai like Jacky's, Jumbo or Sharaf DG (or even Carrefour) and take a look at the TVs on offer. Compare to prices of similar TVs in the US from websites like Amazon, Best Buy or Fry's, and make your choice. Consider sales taxes as well.

Delivery within Dubai/the region might be free for some models/brands in some stores (it was for us once, from Jumbo). Check before buying.

Don't rule out buying from the states unless Emirates confirms they won't let you check it in though. Did you speak to their US call center? For some brands, you might find better prices or slightly newer models in the states.

The prices of LED TV's in India are not as high as it was 2-3 years ago.
I bought a Sony LED TV in India in late 2011 for around 15% more than UK high street price. You can negotiate hard between dealers. Moreover the buying price usually includes wall mounting as well.

Overall I felt that a less than 10% markup was worth it. I did not have the hassle of transporting it ( plus extra airline and possible customs charges)

Moreover if it gets damaged in transit then there is no warranty for it either .
Ek will probably ask you to sign a disclaimer anyway.