I find the customs entry x-ray procedure to be moronic, anyone else?
Sep 17, 2016, 1:17 pm
#1
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I find the customs entry x-ray procedure to be moronic, anyone else?
I recently experienced this flying to XIY on UA's new service. After immigration/passport control and gathering bags (which were smooth and quick by the way), we had to wait in a 45 minute (seriously) line after planeloads of other passengers. For screening of our bags by big old-style x-ray machines.
They only had 2 of these slow-moving machines for several hundred passengers. And the stupidest thing of all: only bags were screened, nothing on your person or jackets/etc. The bored x-ray operators hardly looked at the passengers walking through.
I suppose Chinese authorities believe things are only smuggled in baggage? I was fuming at this ridiculousness.
They only had 2 of these slow-moving machines for several hundred passengers. And the stupidest thing of all: only bags were screened, nothing on your person or jackets/etc. The bored x-ray operators hardly looked at the passengers walking through.
I suppose Chinese authorities believe things are only smuggled in baggage? I was fuming at this ridiculousness.
Sep 17, 2016, 3:53 pm
#2
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I recently experienced this flying to XIY on UA's new service. After immigration/passport control and gathering bags (which were smooth and quick by the way), we had to wait in a 45 minute (seriously) line after planeloads of other passengers. For screening of our bags by big old-style x-ray machines.
They only had 2 of these slow-moving machines for several hundred passengers. And the stupidest thing of all: only bags were screened, nothing on your person or jackets/etc. The bored x-ray operators hardly looked at the passengers walking through.
I suppose Chinese authorities believe things are only smuggled in baggage? I was fuming at this ridiculousness.
They only had 2 of these slow-moving machines for several hundred passengers. And the stupidest thing of all: only bags were screened, nothing on your person or jackets/etc. The bored x-ray operators hardly looked at the passengers walking through.
I suppose Chinese authorities believe things are only smuggled in baggage? I was fuming at this ridiculousness.
Couple reasons they might do this... one to act as 'deterrence' the other is if they are looking for something in particular (on that day or on that flight).
Things they might be looking for are those which are subject to duty, or which might be prohibited. In luggage this might include excess baby formula, or technology products (iphones etc). Baby formula is a big thing, there's a limit of 6 cans or something.
Sep 17, 2016, 4:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
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The know what they are looking for as said above.
Most of times in Beijing and Shanghai they only send a few passengers through these, usually Chinese.
Better than those places in the world when they inspect by hand.
Most of times in Beijing and Shanghai they only send a few passengers through these, usually Chinese.
Better than those places in the world when they inspect by hand.
Sep 17, 2016, 4:27 pm
#4
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I can't answer for the procedures at XIY specifically, but at Shanghai they screen all incoming baggage on very rare occasions. But the screening is pretty quick.
Couple reasons they might do this... one to act as 'deterrence' the other is if they are looking for something in particular (on that day or on that flight).
Things they might be looking for are those which are subject to duty, or which might be prohibited. In luggage this might include excess baby formula, or technology products (iphones etc). Baby formula is a big thing, there's a limit of 6 cans or something.
Couple reasons they might do this... one to act as 'deterrence' the other is if they are looking for something in particular (on that day or on that flight).
Things they might be looking for are those which are subject to duty, or which might be prohibited. In luggage this might include excess baby formula, or technology products (iphones etc). Baby formula is a big thing, there's a limit of 6 cans or something.
2. I don't believe Mainland China cares a great deal about milk powder, but HK (on exit) does
Sep 17, 2016, 4:35 pm
#5
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Sep 18, 2016, 3:50 am
#6
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I recently experienced this flying to XIY on UA's new service. After immigration/passport control and gathering bags (which were smooth and quick by the way), we had to wait in a 45 minute (seriously) line after planeloads of other passengers. For screening of our bags by big old-style x-ray machines.
They only had 2 of these slow-moving machines for several hundred passengers. And the stupidest thing of all: only bags were screened, nothing on your person or jackets/etc. The bored x-ray operators hardly looked at the passengers walking through.
I suppose Chinese authorities believe things are only smuggled in baggage? I was fuming at this ridiculousness.
They only had 2 of these slow-moving machines for several hundred passengers. And the stupidest thing of all: only bags were screened, nothing on your person or jackets/etc. The bored x-ray operators hardly looked at the passengers walking through.
I suppose Chinese authorities believe things are only smuggled in baggage? I was fuming at this ridiculousness.
Sep 18, 2016, 8:19 am
#8
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"I found last year that there were crowds of people, but this year almost no one. I came an hour early thinking I'd have to wait a long time before getting seen," Wu said.
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN11M01N
Iphone 7 sales in China taking a big hit.
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN11M01N
Iphone 7 sales in China taking a big hit.
Sep 18, 2016, 8:29 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2016
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X-ray screening of luggage after pick-up can happen in many countries, not only China. It's also quite common in Brazil as example. But in most cases it's more a spot-check procedure or specific passengers are picked, and not a general procedure.
Sep 18, 2016, 10:45 am
#10
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I'd say this was abnormal and just unfortunate timing on your part. They were probably tipped off and looking for something/someone specific during that time period. Another possibility, if this was between late August and Sept 7, was that it was connected to heightened security due to the G20 Summit being held in Hangzhou.
Sep 18, 2016, 11:00 am
#11
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This is a good thing.
Sep 18, 2016, 11:25 am
#12
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True in BOM too. Many a times if I am coming thru ME3 airlines, they choose to xray just the carry on. Gulf countries are a source of gold and many pax bring it in. The Customs officer has an option to ask you to place all luggage on outbound x ray. They are also trained in behavior spotting.
This is a good thing.
This is a good thing.
Sep 18, 2016, 1:07 pm
#13
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Looks like there was an anyone else on tripadvisor.
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Forum Posts (9,772)
3. Re: staying over night at the air port
Jan 17, 2015, 4:45 PM
May not be related to staying in airport overnight, but I found Xian airport to have the toughest and strictest security screening and overall airport security in all airports I have used worldwide. Those are the meanest with most thorough searches anywhere.
Edited: 4:45 pm, January 17, 2015
Level 6 Contributor
Forum Posts (9,772)
3. Re: staying over night at the air port
Jan 17, 2015, 4:45 PM
May not be related to staying in airport overnight, but I found Xian airport to have the toughest and strictest security screening and overall airport security in all airports I have used worldwide. Those are the meanest with most thorough searches anywhere.
Edited: 4:45 pm, January 17, 2015
Sep 18, 2016, 2:23 pm
#14
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Will that even happen with the iPhone 7 due to the anti-scalper policy they're using this time around?
Sep 18, 2016, 4:51 pm
#15
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If you walk thru Green, you still a Customs officer who may or may not x ray the baggage etc.
Nevertheless there are senior plain clothes agents keeping an eye on the goings on.