Got a 10,000 HUF fine in Budapest Airport - How bad is it?

jumperabv3

I am currently in Budapest airport, I just got stopped by the airport security because I was too stupid that I forgot that I left a kitchen knife in my hand luggage ...

When it happened 2 policemen came with another agent, I explained to them very nicely it was a honest mistake, they did not arrest me nor did anything bad to me, they were very nice and explained to me they are giving me a fine of 10,000 HUF (approx 23 GBP) that I need to pay within 30 days (but it has to be made via bank wire transfer, I offered to go to the ATM and give them cash or pay by credit-card but it's not possible - NO BIG DEAL about that and it's NOT what I'm worried about).

I'm only worried about the Passport record or if in the future I would apply for the US Visa Waiver or ask to get a Visa to my wife (currently we don't live in the UK but I am a person that likes to ask hypothetical questions) ...

I asked the policemen if this would affect my record anyhow and they assured me that it's only within the borders of Hungary, it won't be under any "EU Record" or anything like that ... so I asked them hypothetically again (I'm intending to pay this small amount) what happens if I don't pay or if they don't receive my payment or if they receive a payment for less than I was fined for because of intermediary bank fees?

They spoke very bad English and couldn't answer me with a good and proper answer but they said to not worry - only after I insisted I got an email address to send and receive a confirmation from their payment department to ensure it all goes through ... so my questions to you are:

• How bad is it in terms of Passport record? If I apply in the future for the US Visa Waiver or for any other thing do I need to say that I got "arrested" or anything like that or just treat this incident as a fine like a fine you get with a parking ticket?
• I got several papers - they are all in Hungarian, they are Police papers - how serious are these in terms of my record or things like that?
• Hypothetically speaking, what happens if someone doesn't pay the fine? (I will pay it but just want to know what happens) - anyone has "experience" with such incidents?

Voyager2002

Don't know, but I feel confident that once the fine is paid that will be an end of the matter.

duchy

Just pay it.........it's not worth getting added to a no fly list for twenty three quid !

jumperabv3

Guys, paying it is not the question ... I am going to pay it straight away tomorrow, scan the papers and send a payment confirmation to the police and ask them to confirm they got the payment.

I am not worried about that ... I am worried if this incident by itself would cause me issues in the future OR if this is like a parking ticket and that's it?

The only technical thing I don't like is that these guys didn't speak proper English and I'm not sure if I will get a confirmation by email from the police that they received the full amount because I'm sending it by wire there could be bank fees - I don't mind sending them 12,000 instead of 10,000 ... it's really a small amount, I just don't know really if these guys understand English properly - I did not feel like they understood the type of questions that I had or perhaps I'm going into small details that no one really cares about?

mgdavid

jumperabv3 wrote: »

.........

• Hypothetically speaking, what happens if someone doesn't pay the fine? (I will pay it but just want to know what happens) - anyone has "experience" with such incidents?

OP, with absolute politeness and seriousness, do you not think your mental energy would be better directed into remembering not to pack knives in hand luggage?

NiftyDigits

The Embassy of Hungary

Call them or send them an email. Then you can have it in writing.

If you need more contacts, look here

jumperabv3

mgdavid wrote: »

OP, with absolute politeness and seriousness, do you not think your mental energy would be better directed into remembering not to pack knives in hand luggage?

We're human beings, we all make mistakes.

jumperabv3

NiftyDigits wrote: »

The Embassy of Hungary

Call them or send them an email. Then you can have it in writing.

If you need more contacts, look here

Good idea ... thanks, I will email first the police email they gave me and only if there is a problem I will contact the embassy, but thanks for bringing up this option.

martindow

Unfortunately paying by bank transfer could double the cost as your bank charges its fee. Some banks have flat fees of 20 or 25 Pounds for international transfers which is significant for small sums like this.

duchy

Cost you pay for numpty-ness unfortunately.

I really can't think of any occasion I've needed to remove a kitchen knife from my bags before leaving for the airport but perhaps the OP is a chef............. or a hitman

He actually got let off very lightly - some countries he'd have languished in a cell whilst they checked him out -and that was far more likely to follow him in the future than the equivalent of a speeding ticket as it's a purely administrative penalty so long as he doesn't draw attention to himself by not paying. (and if you have every intention of paying why ask what would happen if yu didn't.......)

NiftyDigits

Last time I was in Budapest airport, most of the airport security wanted to have their picture taken with me. I ran away, as I'm photo-shy.

If the OP insists on paying the fine, then perhaps a good idea to set up a Revolut account.