Checking in a box - TSA issues?
 

I want to check in a box for an international flight that will basically be all sealed with duct tape. What are the odds that TSA will open it? If they do open it, is it my responbiloity to seal it back up? My trip involves several segments, so can I assume it will only be checked at my origin?

i ship boxes of wine(only 11 in a box for weight problems). they open every one of them. they have retaped every one of them, thus far.

do not ship whiskey. wine is ok.

It should only be checked at your origin.

Please follow the discussion in our Travel Saftey/Security forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

I've had a full case that weighs in at 48-49 pounds; no need to skip the last bottle in that case. And whiskey is OK to pack as well. The rule from the FAA is 140 proof for the cutoff at which point is becomes a hazardous material and unacceptable to check.

Unless you fly in from a pre-clearance airport in Canada, where it will likely be checked at the connection point thanks to a stupid rule that requires the TSA to check bags coming off of those flights and connecting onwards.

My SO once checked on my behalf a cardboard box containing a 20" CRT television, sealed with packing tape. It was about 49 lb and the exact maximum size for a checked item. TSA opened it, left their little card, and re-sealed it with TSA tape. But surprisingly there was no damage.

Moral of the story: TSA will open containers for no apparent reason. I can't imagine their fancy CT machine couldn't discern that my TV was in fact a TV, but maybe the screeners were in disbelief and decided to open it. :rolleyes:

Nope -- a CTX evaluates objects based on their density, and a TV almost certainly would alarm. If there are no TSOs available to resolve the alarm based on the image, or the image is ambiguous, a bag search would be necessary.

Whether the OP's box is opened depends on 1) the inspection protocol used at the airport from which he ships the object, and 2) the contents.

from the united site:

Alcoholic beverages- 24 to 70 percent by volume (48 - 140 proof)

* Covers most alcoholic beverages
* Limited to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger

that's 5/0.75 which equals..............6 or 7 bottles(from the UA site).

I have checked numerous boxes and they have usually opened them, but always re-sealed them in an acceptable manner.

Odds are high. I brought back a computer in a box from SLC back in August. They were in it as it has their inspected tape all over it. They did reseal it well, though I can't say I've had the chance to go thru it yet to see what they did to it (not that it was worth much to begin with as it's a few years old).

If they open it, they have to reseal it.