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Laptops in hand baggage
Can I expect problems in security or even US customs if I travel with 3 laptops in hand baggage?
My itinerary is HEL-LHR-LAX-LAS and return LAS-LGW//LHR-HEL, with travel on AA/BA/AY - I will be going through security at HEL, LHR, LAX and LAS. I can't find any obvious reasons why it wouldn't be allowed when I went through the airport/airline web sites, but maybe I am missing something obvious? |
Originally Posted by hrnt
(Post 21653594)
Can I expect problems in security or even US customs if I travel with 3 laptops in hand baggage?
My itinerary is HEL-LHR-LAX-LAS and return LAS-LGW//LHR-HEL, with travel on AA/BA/AY - I will be going through security at HEL, LHR, LAX and LAS. I can't find any obvious reasons why it wouldn't be allowed when I went through the airport/airline web sites, but maybe I am missing something obvious? The only time I've ever been questioned was Fiji and Australia. One for business and one for personal was a good enough explanation in both cases. |
You'll be fine. Just make sure they don't look brand new or you'll be asked to pay customs fees on them. If you need them for work, you need them for work. I've carried far more than that. The phrase "I need them at a tradeshow" tends to work best for me.
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As ScottC noted, the only issue you are likely to have is with customs. I encountered this when travelling with another FTer to MEX, where everything is x-rayed upon arrival. They were rather unhappy ab:eek:ut his two laptops, but after a brief discussion they allowed him into the country without any further issue.
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I regularly do two, but it's easily explained by a "one for work, one personal" comment.
Haven't tried 3 yet. |
My record is three laptops and two tablets (all in one backpack). No questions asked, but this was just a domestic flight. :)
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I have carried three laptops in my carry-on through DFW and LAX and it didn't even prompt a second glance from anyone. I had 1 in a backpack and 2 in a small roll-aboard bag. Just lined them all up in trays at the xray screening point.
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The only issue you will have is the weight ! I have done it a few times before.
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I helped my friend a few times carrying laptops to a show or convention. recently no problems.
but a few years back they mentioned something about the batteries and power supply being too many or something. I think I needed to give a power supply to my friend to pass thru to under a limit.... could have been a bs loop I needed to jump thru tho to amuse the agent. :confused::confused: or something to do with loose batteries mis interpretation? |
I've flown from USA to NRT to BKK and then BKK to DXB with 2 new Macbook Retinas and a Samsung Series 9, all brand new but out of the boxes (1 personal & 2 work). Other than a few laughs at the security checkpoint in BKK and a few odd looks from other passengers in USA (PHX/MSP) for needing 5 x bins for all my computer HDD's and cameras, there weren't any issues at all. By the way, can always check the cables etc in luggage to lighten the load!
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Originally Posted by bigbellytraveler
(Post 21743183)
or something to do with loose batteries mis interpretation?
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3 of the laptop is dev too many to carry. They allow us to put 1, but if you have a lighter one like macbook air or pro you can carry two. 3, I don't know, give it a try.
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I carried through 4 UPS batteries for an IBM Storwize V7000 in hand luggage through LHR once. Told the security people what they were and had no issues. Everyone's going to have a different story on stuff like this though.
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http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html
You can not check in lithium batteries but you can carry on. That 4 UPS batteries would be a very hard sell as the larger batteries are limited to one installed plus two spares. http://safetravel.dot.gov/larger_batt.html Who knows, maybe they were considered normal or they didn't want to mess with you or this was more than five years ago :) As for carrying three laptops, I have flown more than once with three, one as a gift for my family, two personal/work. |
It was about 2 years ago. Having said that I have just got questioned in the Post Office sending a package to London, 35 miles away, as to whether there were lithium batteries in it. I asked why, lady says "well it might go by plane". She was not impressed when I burst out laughing, but I think we were friends at the end ! Made me laugh on a Friday that's for sure !
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I've carried two several times (work/personal) and never had a problem with the TSA. If they look new you may want to have copies of the receipts in case customs wants to get you to pay a duty on them when you return.
Originally Posted by chx1975
(Post 21749010)
http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html
You can not check in lithium batteries but you can carry on. That 4 UPS batteries would be a very hard sell as the larger batteries are limited to one installed plus two spares. |
Oh I am stupid, of course those are lead acid.
I did hear of LiOn UPS, now http://www.storagereview.com/apc_bac...ium_ion_review |
China customs.
Work, personal, colleague's replacement laptop plus two tablets. They did question me and the only issue they had was the colleague's replacement laptop however after explaining that he was a foreign national and the item will not stay inside the country, it was no issue. It was dang heavy though - which was the reason why they stopped me. |
I believe there is an international convention that allows you to bring one computer that has its own power source into a(ny) country without tax/import tafiffs, but any time you have two it could cause an issue.
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I used to carry a Mac, a gaming computer (Windows PC), and a work computer (also a Windows PC) quite often. Sure people look at me like I'm crazy, but I've never had any problems.
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Originally Posted by Xyzzy
(Post 21654718)
As ScottC noted, the only issue you are likely to have is with customs. I encountered this when travelling with another FTer to MEX, where everything is x-rayed upon arrival. They were rather unhappy ab:eek:ut his two laptops, but after a brief discussion they allowed him into the country without any further issue.
Goods considered as personal baggage: Goods for personal use, such as clothes –including one bride trousseau–, footwear and personal toiletries and beauty products, as long as they are appropriate for the duration of trip; as well as baby travel, hygiene, and fun accessories, such as car seat, portacrib, baby carriage, baby walker, etc., including their accessories; two cameras or video cameras, including 12 rolls of film or videocassettes; photographic material; two cellular phones or beepers or pagers; one portable typewriter; one electronic personal organizer; one laptop, notebook, omnibook or similar; one portable photocopier or printer; one portable recorder and one projector, including accessories; two personal sport equipments, four fishing rods, There is no such rule for the US though, so OP should be fine. |
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