Eventually inspected by UK Customs Agents: my first time in 5+ years
May 4, 2015, 2:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR; TK Elite; ITA Executive; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,551
Eventually inspected by UK Customs Agents: my first time in 5+ years
Hi all,
last Saturday after landing at T4 from DOH on QR3, for the very first time in 5 years my checked luggage got inspected by a UK Customs Agent and I was asked some general questions about my trip.
I was asked to follow the agent in one of the rooms after exiting the carousel area through the "Nothing to Declare" corridor.
So far I have never been inspected at T5 or T3.
Have I been extremely lucky in the last 5 years? Inspection took good 20 minutes. What's other frequent flyers inspections rate? (by frequent flyer I refer to at least 8 sectors per month).
ps: the inspection was fine, thanks goodness I was not coming back from DME or DXB (cigarettes are very very cheap there)
last Saturday after landing at T4 from DOH on QR3, for the very first time in 5 years my checked luggage got inspected by a UK Customs Agent and I was asked some general questions about my trip.
I was asked to follow the agent in one of the rooms after exiting the carousel area through the "Nothing to Declare" corridor.
So far I have never been inspected at T5 or T3.
Have I been extremely lucky in the last 5 years? Inspection took good 20 minutes. What's other frequent flyers inspections rate? (by frequent flyer I refer to at least 8 sectors per month).
ps: the inspection was fine, thanks goodness I was not coming back from DME or DXB (cigarettes are very very cheap there)
May 4, 2015, 2:30 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
I had a couple of questions and had to show my passport at St. Pancras when arriving from Brussels, and was asked where I'd flow in from when I landed at LGW from LAS but I have never had anything more than that.
May 4, 2015, 2:31 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,115
Have I been extremely lucky in the last 5 years? Inspection took good 20 minutes. What's other frequent flyers inspections rate? (by frequent flyer I refer to at least 8 sectors per month).
ps: the inspection was fine, thanks goodness I was not coming back from DME or DXB (cigarettes are very very cheap there)
ps: the inspection was fine, thanks goodness I was not coming back from DME or DXB (cigarettes are very very cheap there)
May 4, 2015, 2:41 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
It's 20 years since I was stopped, coming back from AMS into LCY on a Sunday.
I had nothing on me to cause a problem but one line stuck with me. After the bag search had been completed, I said to the officer "so, was this just a random search". His response was "we don't do random searches, sir..."
Ouch!
I had nothing on me to cause a problem but one line stuck with me. After the bag search had been completed, I said to the officer "so, was this just a random search". His response was "we don't do random searches, sir..."
Ouch!
May 4, 2015, 2:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
Eventually inspected by UK Customs Agents: my first time in 5+ years
Been approached by PSNI before at BHD but not for a customs matter. It was during a time of increased security in the North and several other solo male passengers also got a random hook.
Was once taken aside at JER as well, for a customs matter.
Both times I was flying from London.
Was once taken aside at JER as well, for a customs matter.
Both times I was flying from London.
May 4, 2015, 2:50 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR; TK Elite; ITA Executive; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 1,551
It's 20 years since I was stopped, coming back from AMS into LCY on a Sunday.
I had nothing on me to cause a problem but one line stuck with me. After the bag search had been completed, I said to the officer "so, was this just a random search". His response was "we don't do random searches, sir..."
Ouch!
I had nothing on me to cause a problem but one line stuck with me. After the bag search had been completed, I said to the officer "so, was this just a random search". His response was "we don't do random searches, sir..."
Ouch!
I would have thought a masterpiece of luggage like a Rimowa Topas (
) + QR Business class tags would not attract them, apparently I was wrong...
May 4, 2015, 2:54 pm
#10
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
This topic was originally posted on the BA section but as it does not really have anything to do with BA, it has been moved to the UK section where the topic fits better.
LTN Phobia
Moderator: BA forum
LTN Phobia
Moderator: BA forum
May 4, 2015, 2:56 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,210
We've been forced to open our bags twice during our infrequent travels.
Once at EZE and the other by US customs. The items found and confiscated were a bag of dandelion bulbs and a tomato. Although we weren't charged, ever since we've had to live with the shame of being identified as flower and vegetable couriers.
Once at EZE and the other by US customs. The items found and confiscated were a bag of dandelion bulbs and a tomato. Although we weren't charged, ever since we've had to live with the shame of being identified as flower and vegetable couriers.
May 4, 2015, 3:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
In the past 10 years, I've been inspected once at LGW, and have seen people being inspected twice at LHR, which I managed to avoid by walking very closely behind people who I thought would be more likely to get pulled by the agents.
In the 10 years before that we were always inspected (sometimes very cursorily) on arrival in Australia.
In the 10 years before that we were always inspected (sometimes very cursorily) on arrival in Australia.
May 4, 2015, 3:41 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,435
My sole customs inspection entering the UK was at Dover in 1998 after an enjoyable evening stocking up at Calais. Never, ever been stopped or even spoken to arriving by air.
Various other countries have carried out sundry inspections, the ever paranoid cousins across the pond have enjoyed pulling my bags apart more than once. Entering Moldova a few years ago they were very keen on ensuring I didn't have any guns!
Various other countries have carried out sundry inspections, the ever paranoid cousins across the pond have enjoyed pulling my bags apart more than once. Entering Moldova a few years ago they were very keen on ensuring I didn't have any guns!