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Gate Checking Liquor for Flight to the U.S.
I will be flying CX from HKG to JFK in a few days. In F, if that matters.
On my last trip, the duty free store at HKG wouldn't sell me any alcohol because I was flying to the U.S. and the liquids won't make it through U.S. bound pre-departure security inspection. I will have room in my roll-a-board for the two bottles I want to buy (they are limited edition Jack Daniels blends that are not sold in the U.S.). Will I have any luck getting CX to gate check that bag so I can avoid the pre-departure security inspection? |
Nope..You can't do a gate check. The US inspection is BEFORE the boarding gate. The security people will just confiscate your liquor (and drink it). I've tried it once..and it didn't work. You are not the first to think of this gate check-in trick....
But a round-about trick that I used was as follows :- Step 1 : Go buy the liquor. Step 2 : Go to the lounge and tell them that u want to go to the city. Step 3: Clear immigration Step 4 : Check in liquor at the first class check-in counter. Step 5 : Clear Immigration Step 6 : Enjoy the liquor in the US. |
Are the savings over US retail really that great so as to justify a 6-step process?
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Yes. Especially if, like the OP said, bottles that aren't available in the U.S. I have done this a couple of times.
Always Flyin, you can also browse the CX Duty Free catalogue to see if you can buy those JD inflight: http://www.cathaypacific.com/dutyfre...ry+%26+Spirits |
Originally Posted by RA-wannabe
(Post 23275372)
Nope..You can't do a gate check. The US inspection is BEFORE the boarding gate. The security people will just confiscate your liquor (and drink it). I've tried it once..and it didn't work. You are not the first to think of this gate check-in trick....
But a round-about trick that I used was as follows :- Step 1 : Go buy the liquor. Step 2 : Go to the lounge and tell them that u want to go to the city. Step 3: Clear immigration Step 4 : Check in liquor at the first class check-in counter. Step 5 : Clear Immigration Step 6 : Enjoy the liquor in the US.
Originally Posted by Often1
(Post 23275869)
Are the savings over US retail really that great so as to justify a 6-step process?
Originally Posted by dc.marathoner
(Post 23275953)
Yes. Especially if, like the OP said, bottles that aren't available in the U.S. I have done this a couple of times.
Always Flyin, you can also browse the CX Duty Free catalogue to see if you can buy those JD inflight: http://www.cathaypacific.com/dutyfre...ry+%26+Spirits |
Originally Posted by Often1
(Post 23275869)
Are the savings over US retail really that great so as to justify a 6-step process?
You wouldn't try that at US airports would you? |
Originally Posted by zqsn5678
(Post 23278259)
I feel sorry for the HKG staff have to do this unnecessary and non-emergency job that demand by the 'elite pax'.
You wouldn't try that at US airports would you? anyways, i think the problem here is that they'll scan your BP anyways so u might still have to think outside of the box. maybe you tell them u'll check them in to the cargo hold? |
Good luck OP. I hate to go slightly off-topic, but does anyone know why we have to through this clearance? For example, if you fly from Japan to the US, there is no such pre-boarding check. Is it HK-specific?
Does anyone have experience with other airlines out of HK to the US? United, AA, Delta? I'm assuming they all have the check? What about PVG or PEK to the US? |
Originally Posted by RA-wannabe
(Post 23275372)
Nope..You can't do a gate check. The US inspection is BEFORE the boarding gate. The security people will just confiscate your liquor (and drink it). I've tried it once..and it didn't work. You are not the first to think of this gate check-in trick....
But a round-about trick that I used was as follows :- Step 1 : Go buy the liquor. Step 2 : Go to the lounge and tell them that u want to go to the city. Step 3: Clear immigration Step 4 : Check in liquor at the first class check-in counter. Step 5 : Clear Immigration Step 6 : Enjoy the liquor in the US. An alternative is to purchase the liquor at the inbound duty free shops just before immigration when you land in HKIA, bring it into the city and pack it with your bags. Refer to Hong Kong Dutiable Goods Ordinance (Cap. 109) for more info http://www.legislation.gov.hk/eng/home.htm |
Originally Posted by zqsn5678
(Post 23278259)
I feel sorry for the HKG staff have to do this unnecessary and non-emergency job that demand by the 'elite pax'.
Besides, CX does so little ground handling for F and C passengers, I don't feel too guilty for taking a miniscule amount of their time. You wouldn't try that at US airports would you?
Originally Posted by kaka
(Post 23278443)
pls explain?
anyways, i think the problem here is that they'll scan your BP anyways so u might still have to think outside of the box. maybe you tell them u'll check them in to the cargo hold?
Originally Posted by CuiDawei
(Post 23278782)
Good luck OP. I hate to go slightly off-topic, but does anyone know why we have to through this clearance? For example, if you fly from Japan to the US, there is no such pre-boarding check. Is it HK-specific?
Does anyone have experience with other airlines out of HK to the US? United, AA, Delta? I'm assuming they all have the check?
Originally Posted by ssw207
(Post 23279260)
This is in violation of the law and considered as illegal smuggling even if you have outbound boarding passes, so proceed at your own risk. All passengers returning to landside for whatever reason is required to refund dutiable items to the duty-free shops. Unlike typical US airports, in HK you have passed outbound immigration and customs control once airside.
An alternative is to purchase the liquor at the inbound duty free shops just before immigration when you land in HKIA, bring it into the city and pack it with your bags. Refer to Hong Kong Dutiable Goods Ordinance (Cap. 109) for more info http://www.legislation.gov.hk/eng/home.htm Last time I checked, the bottles are I want were not for sale at the inbound duty free shop. |
Originally Posted by Always Flyin
(Post 23279445)
I didn't cause this ridiculous situation. The situation requires that I utilize a creative solution. If that causes a minor source of work for staff, well that's how it is.
Besides, CX does so little ground handling for F and C passengers, I don't feel too guilty for taking a miniscule amount of their time. I'll take your word for it, but I am willing to risk it since I am taking it out of the country and am not trying to take it into Hong Kong for consumption. Last time I checked, the bottles are I want were not for sale at the inbound duty free shop. There is no duty for liquor in HK (I know there isn't for wine, not too sure about whiskey).. If so , maybe its best to buy it locally and then pack into your bag to check in. |
Originally Posted by Guy Betsy
(Post 23280164)
There is no duty for liquor in HK (I know there isn't for wine, not too sure about whiskey).. If so , maybe its best to buy it locally and then pack into your bag to check in.
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Originally Posted by Guy Betsy
(Post 23280164)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Always Flyin I didn't cause this ridiculous situation. The situation requires that I utilize a creative solution. If that causes a minor source of work for staff, well that's how it is. Besides, CX does so little ground handling for F and C passengers, I don't feel too guilty for taking a miniscule amount of their time. I'll take your word for it, but I am willing to risk it since I am taking it out of the country and am not trying to take it into Hong Kong for consumption. Last time I checked, the bottles are I want were not for sale at the inbound duty free shop. There is no duty for liquor in HK (I know there isn't for wine, not too sure about whiskey).. If so , maybe its best to buy it locally and then pack into your bag to check in. If OP is buying a litre or less, the method of exiting customs to recheck should be ok (unless OP has an HKID, in which case he needs to have spent 24 hours out of HK). Otherwise, this does involve "smuggling" with the accompanying risk of steep fines if discovered. |
Thanks all for the input.
I suspect the biggest problem will be getting the duty free shop to sell me the liquor with a U.S. bound boarding pass, but we shall see. |
Originally Posted by Always Flyin
(Post 23280409)
Thanks all for the input.
I suspect the biggest problem will be getting the duty free shop to sell me the liquor with a U.S. bound boarding pass, but we shall see. I'm not sure I agree with ssw207's statement that bringing liquor back to landside is an offence under the DGO, but it would be a massive headache (including missing your flight) if customs did randomly search you - they may not buy an explanation that you wanted to put it in your checked baggage. Buying a fully refundable ticket, showing that boarding pass to the duty free shop, and then cancelling the ticket would also not work because of the gate check and a little old thing we call fraud. |
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