Originally Posted by
DanishFlyer
I did ask if it was arrivals-security, but didn't get a reply yet. He did report having a sticker on and a "love letter" (not his word) in his bag from security, and that when he contacted them about the missing laptop they referred him to an office - it sounds like "in person".
I will make sure to get back here with more info, if I get anything more from him.
Would customs on arrival open the checked bag without you there? I've had secondary (agricultural) several times (I often bring food, always permitted, and also lived in the UK during cattle decease times), but never (to my knowing) have CBP opened my checked bag before it got to me.
It may be a losing battle, but I do like to try to understand what goes on, to enable me to travel as easily as possible!
DanishFlyer
It seems like a somewhat odd procedure, mainly because if they think something in your luggage is unlawful they'd like to get you to confirm that it's yours. That's easier to do if they ask you "is this your bag . . . okay if I open it?" than if they confront you with contraband purportedly taken from your bag.