Originally Posted by
CDTraveler
If the electronics ban goes into effect from Europe to the US I suspect quite a few folks are going to be looking for alternatives to putting their gear into checked baggage. For example, I'd rather trust FedEx with my laptop than airport security and baggage handlers.
I'm hoping those with knowledge of international shipping might share ideas on how to ship electronics, such as laptop computers, with the least difficulty and cost.
After looking at the FedEx site, one question I have is how not to pay duty when shipping my laptop home to myself - I have the receipt, who would I show it to?
(Mods: as this question is indirectly related to security, i.e. dealing with the problems caused by security policy, I'm posting it here. pls move if you feel it would be better elsewhere)
There will be some countries that don't buy into an ineffective ban and make it possible to get to some countries that are contiguous enough to US land or seaports to make it possible to travel with the electronic items without being separated from them.
Cargo theft is a risk -- even when dealing with major overseas cargo carriers. For devices where the most valuable material is the data, better find a way to protect that data.
Also, when items with valuable data are transported out of your sight, there will be a risk that law enforcement or intelligence authorities -- or those acting on behalf of such -- may meddle without it being all as obvious as if the items remained in your sight during the trip.
Some of the data monitoring/surveillance/spying operations engaged in by intelligence agencies couldn't have happened as they have without meddling with cargo shipments.
If data integrity and privacy protection isn't a major concern for the individual and you'll send them out of sight either way, then look first at having the best insurance coverage for damage, loss and theft regardless of whether it goes via common carrier as checked baggage or via cargo.