new laptop as carryon?
Aug 17, 2011, 11:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2
new laptop as carryon?
Hi. Are we allowed to carry on a brand new laptop still sealed in the manufacturers box? We want to bring one to someone for a present. Will they make us open the box? We won't be able to turn the laptop on, since the battery will never have been charged...is that still necessary?
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
Aug 17, 2011, 11:29 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
You may not carry it sealed in a box, as it needs to be placed in a tray free of any packaging, or in a TSA approved laptop bag. Also keep in mind that the lithium ion battery with the laptop cannot be placed in checked luggage, only in carry-on, for fire related safety reasons.
Aug 17, 2011, 11:53 am
#3
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
~ 3 years ago, I carried a brand-new, unopened laptop through security at PDX (no sales tax in Oregon 
). The TSA was fine with it.
). The TSA was fine with it.
Aug 17, 2011, 2:02 pm
#5
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,956
Effective January 1, 2008, you may not pack spare lithium batteries in your checked baggage....If you pack a device containing batteries, secure it against activation by locking the activation switch in the "off" position, placing the device in a protective case, or by other appropriate measures.
Aug 17, 2011, 2:21 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
Officially, laptops must be removed from carry-on bags and submitted separately for X-ray screening. (Just because someone got away without doing that once, a few years ago, has no bearing here.) It's unlikely that they'll ask you to turn it on.
If I were you, I'd remove the laptop, install and charge the battery, and place it in my carry-on for easy removal at the checkpoint. I'd check the empty box with all the accessories. Whatever you do, please don't check the laptop.
If I were you, I'd remove the laptop, install and charge the battery, and place it in my carry-on for easy removal at the checkpoint. I'd check the empty box with all the accessories. Whatever you do, please don't check the laptop.
Aug 17, 2011, 6:33 pm
#7
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I would give it a shot, there's probably a good chance it will go through without any problems. If they require you to take it out of the box, they can open the box and scan it, you can just explain that you had to open it to go through security.
If they don't, it goes through without any problems.
Unless you are traveling internationally, you may be better off just bringing it to a UPS store and have them ship and insure it for you.
Batteries can be checked if they are installed, but not if they are loose. You do not have to turn on laptops anymore at security.
If they don't, it goes through without any problems.
Unless you are traveling internationally, you may be better off just bringing it to a UPS store and have them ship and insure it for you.
Batteries can be checked if they are installed, but not if they are loose. You do not have to turn on laptops anymore at security.
Aug 18, 2011, 7:56 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
I would suggest he doesn't take any risks, and just unpack the laptop to allow removal at security to be simple. I can imagine how unpleasant it would be to unpack a packaged laptop at security. You risk misplacing the items in the box and delaying those behind you.
Aug 19, 2011, 1:24 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 232
Realize it is just anecdotal, but 2 weeks ago I went through security at DRO and then also DEN, with a sealed mac book air. Both airport TSA told me to just put the box on the scanner by it self, no need to break the plastic seal to prove a lap top was inside. Not sure of their official policy though.