Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Ipod and Customs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 10, 2008 | 11:53 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Ipod and Customs

I've read stuff on MP3 players being randomly confiscated by customs because of possible pirated material. I'm flying from the US to Germany in a couple weeks, what's the chance I will loose my ipod if i bring it in a carry on?
roboskier is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 7:34 am
  #2  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
40 Countries Visited
3M
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,037
What do they do - go through your entire playlist, then find out where every single one of those songs came from? Hard to imagine that. Wouldn't they have to check the origin of the songs on the computer that your iPod is synched to, which you might not even have with you on the trip?

Personally, I've never seen a customs agent anywhere give an iPod a second look - how many millions of them are out there, to say nothing of other kinds of MP3 players and mobile phones that double as them? - but that's far from an authoritative answer. I'd like to see what anyone else knows about this.

(Welcome to FT!)
Efrem is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 8:24 am
  #3  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
10 Countries Visited20 Countries Visited30 Countries Visited20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Welcome to FlyerTalk!!

They aren't going through the playlist looking for pirated music; they'd be looking for other files stored on the device. The chances of it happening are almost zero, but there is a very, very slim chance that they will want to search it. I would not let that chance prevent you from bringing it on your trip.
sbm12 is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 8:36 am
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,872
I've never had a problem carrying my iPod through customs. In fact, no one has ever asked if I was carrying one! My only problem has been finding a good set of noise cancelling earphones that will actually allow me to hear the iPod while on a plane.
Flyingmama is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2008 | 9:00 am
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: montreal
Posts: 305
Ah, there's your problem, Flyingmama. Forget noise canceling headphones, they only cancel a small spectrum of sound. What you want are noise blocking headphones. Check out the Shure line. They're a bit expensive ($100+), but worth it. I use mine to listen to audio books - in the subway - and I don't miss a word.
jezsik is offline  
Old Jul 12, 2008 | 12:55 pm
  #6  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Conversation Starter
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,773
Though to be fair, I bought a pair of Audio Technica noise cancelling headphones for $130 a couple months ago - and they're wonderful for planes and subways.

There are a zillion threads in this forum about both kinds of headphones.

Originally Posted by jezsik
Ah, there's your problem, Flyingmama. Forget noise canceling headphones, they only cancel a small spectrum of sound. What you want are noise blocking headphones. Check out the Shure line. They're a bit expensive ($100+), but worth it. I use mine to listen to audio books - in the subway - and I don't miss a word.
gfunkdave is offline  
Old Jul 12, 2008 | 5:03 pm
  #7  
30 Countries Visited
3M
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: exUA1K, UA MM, lifetime UA1P, AA MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,806
Originally Posted by roboskier
I've read stuff on MP3 players being randomly confiscated by customs because of possible pirated material. I'm flying from the US to Germany in a couple weeks, what's the chance I will loose my ipod if i bring it in a carry on?
Sounds like TOTAL BS.

OP: Please forget that you ever read that stupid story.
roberto99 is offline  
Old Jul 12, 2008 | 10:29 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 731
Bose??

Originally Posted by gfunkdave
Though to be fair, I bought a pair of Audio Technica noise cancelling headphones for $130 a couple months ago - and they're wonderful for planes and subways.

There are a zillion threads in this forum about both kinds of headphones.
Any thoughts on the Bose headphones? I've got co-workers who swear by them. But if I can avoid shelling out 300 sheckles, I'll look at other brands of headphones to help me block out background noise on my flights and listen to music from my laptop/iPod/armrest.

Eric
ekwang is offline  
Old Jul 14, 2008 | 2:03 pm
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Thanks for the help!, it makes me feel better.^ I'm good for headphones, I fly a bit in the U.S. but I haven't gone international since I got my ipod.
roboskier is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.