Bringing in goods up to allowance in from USA

InsideInsurance

Been going to the US monthly for the last two years and never have had any reason to suspect my luggage has been opened when its been out of my sight (though it does have the TSA approved locks that they can open) and never been stopped going in or out of either country to have my hold luggage searched.

A few times my hand luggage has been checked but thats mainly just swabbing my laptop or tablet etc.

meer53

Twice in the last couple of years my suitcases have been opened and searched when returning from the USA. The most recent, this August.They leave a card saying it's been searched. I never lock my cases for this reason. I never put valuables in suitcases either. Nothing has ever been taken though.

InsideInsurance

You can buy the TSA locks like http://www.amazon.co.uk/tag/tsa%20lock/products which the TSA can open/relock but the chuckers, in theory at least, can't

Doshwaster

meer53 wrote: »

Twice in the last couple of years my suitcases have been opened and searched when returning from the USA. The most recent, this August.They leave a card saying it's been searched. I never lock my cases for this reason. I never put valuables in suitcases either. Nothing has ever been taken though.

I never lock suitcases either. My thinking is that a big fancy lock is just a sign that there is something in there worth looking at.

claire16c

I used to use Tsa locks, now I use plastic zip ties or nothing.

The reason being my dad used Tsa locks and they ripped off the lock and zips leaving an unusable suitcase! So I figure make it easy to unlock but use a zip tie if you want to prevent a chancer as you need scissors or a knife.

Marmaduke123

We use TSA locks, never had any damage although our one of our cases has been opened and the card left about four or five times.

It's usually my other half as he tends to have a lot of wires in there, but mine has been opened too.

I do wonder if the TSA locks attract attention, as they are easy for them to open in order to fulfil their quota.