Traveling Overseas with Tools

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kags

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Hey All -

I have a trip coming up from the U.S. to Thailand where I'm finishing a studio install and it's the first time that I'm flying overseas with a toolset. I've traveled with midi gear and laptops, but never with soldering equipment, etc. Does anyone have any tips to avoid hassles and/or theft for this? I was thinking of packing a pelican-style case and putting it inside a suitcase. I'm bringing basic soldering tools (iron, solder, desoldering pump, small lighted magnifier, side cutters, pliers, driver set, handheld multimeter, and the like) and also a laptop interface and measurement mic as carryon. Right now it all fits in a backpack. I was even thinking of putting a "biohazard" sticker or something on the pelican case to discourage tampering. I suppose I could lock the case, too, but that might also arouse curiosity.

Any suggestions to alleviate some headaches would be appreciated!

- Adam
 
scott2000 said:
Wonder what it would cost if you could ship it? Fedex looks like they have some interesting international options...
Click to expand...
I'm considering this. I'm pretty sure the client won't mind paying, even if it winds up costing a few hundred dollars. I'll look into FedEx, especially since I can insure the package. I'll also have to investigate how to avoid any tariffs. I won't have a work visa for the trip, so it might be hard to prove the items will not stay in the country.
 
I have done it with flightcase style tools cases, locked & put in the hold. I have also done it with soft tool bags that were in my main suitcase, again in the hold. I've never had an issue, but you have to put them in the hold, they won't let you take any tools in hand luggage. Peli cases should do the trick if that's what you have available.
 
I don't think you should stress too much about it,
just put all your tools inside the Checked bad/suitcase, you cannot take it inside the plane of course, just in the Checked Luggage, it will get there.
If you are afraid of theft just do an extra Luggage travel insurance, it's cheap and you can make a detailed list of the items with the "New" prices and then if something happens the insurance will cover that.

For laptop, iPAD, audio interface, I always take those with me to the plane inside my backpack.
For microphones I always put them inside the checked luggage as if you take them inside the Plane you normally will be stopped in the security due to the shape of microphones, they see on the X-Ray that metal shape and they will stop you and do a search. I prefer not to go through that hassle so microphones don't go in my carry on bag
 
Make a complete inventory list...I mean complete! Include brands and serial numbers (if those exist). Print paper copies with one enclosed in whatever shipping container(s) you choose and maybe several copies you can keep in your briefcase/whatever is a carry-on.

I've only had to fly out of the USA once with a bunch of tools and test gear.....dozen+ years ago The customs folks at the Mexico City airport opened everything up and seemed "freaked out" at all the stuff. It was a hassle since they didn't speak English and my Spanish is very limited. Having that list simplified my passage through customs, both directions, once they located someone who could read English.

1 Each Craftsman #1 Phillips screwdriver
1 Each Craftsman #2 Phillips screwdriver

etc etc.

After the Customs guy and I went through maybe the first ten items on my paper list, he finally decided it was OK and passed me through. Had to deal with that both entering Mexico and then returning to USA through Customs at the Mexico City airport.

Before my trip, I had suggested to the client that I ship my stuff, but he told me everything would be held up for a week or more getting it cleared going in or out of the country.

Bri
 
@kags

Without knowing the extent of work required for "....finishing a studio install..." I would highly suggest you carry/ship any "kitchen sink" tools required. IE, EDAC tools, etc.

Unless the client at the site is quite savvy and knows all the local resources, you might be caught in a lurch.

The desk in question was a huge Amek 9098 desk I had restored here in the USA. It was then sold to a brand new studio construction in Mexico City a few years later. I went to Mexico thinking I would be there a week or two "commissioning" the Amek. I arrived to learn they had ZERO audio wiring in place because it was outside of their capabilities. There I was, scrambling making an entire wiring plant design followed by locating all the cabling, connectors, wall panels etc. from local sources.

A huge reason for the "mayhem" was language barriers going into the project. It ended up quite well after several months, though. I can elaborate at length about one of my most complex projects, but I'll end with a couple snapshots showing the desk just before it was shipped to Mexico and then sitting at it's "new home". First pic below was from the final destination in Mexico, second was after I had restored the desk here, just before it was shipped away.
 

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"once they located someone who could read English."
Click to expand...
Haaaaaa 😂 ...
Mexico City! (never been) but how can they not read English? But of course I believe you Brian! :confused:
Don't worry, at Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok Intl. Airport) Customs DO speak English and quite well too.
But Brian Roth is right to do a list of what you have, specially if a lot of gear, for customs and airliner.
Oh and insurance.

Not sure about the "biohazard" sticker", not a good idea, just put a good padlock on your suitcase.
As someone else here said, I always keep my most valuable items in my cabin luggage/bag, but NEVER sharp objects, even small screw drivers or cutters. I got done in Tbilisi Airport for a tiny flat screw driver, the type with a handle and exchangeable tips....

Best of luck in Thailand!
M
 
In my situation in Mexico City, my container of tools had been x-rayed and then shunted (with me) into a nearby area. Two young women were assigned to examine the tools and test equipment. They had no idea what to make of it while they conversed back and forth in Spanish. One wandered off and found a supervisor(?) who did have English skills. However, while he recognized much of what I had, other items were totally unknown to him (like an EDAC pin crimper, a Tek oscilloscope, Anatek "Blue" ESR meter, Goot desoldering "gun", etc). It took over a half hour while all my stuff was spread out onto a table and then I had to repack everything to exit Customs. I was mentally prepared when I left Mexico City....had essentially the same process.

One could argue that I should have "packed lighter", but I'm glad to have brought The Kitchen Sink for the project. Essentially every single tool and piece of test gear was needed during the course of the project.

One other thought re. the inventory list. Every page of of the printouts included my name, address, etc. at the top of the pages. That info matched my Passport and driver's license.

I had little problems going out and back through USA customs. Returning through the Dallas, TX USA Customs point, my stuff was "kicked out" after x-ray and the man there scowled at the x-ray. I showed him the list, and then he smiled and said "OH! Tools of your trade!" and sent me along.

Glad I don't travel any more!!

Bri
 
Returning from a music production trip (on a tourist visa) to India, the customs agent in Los Angeles asked what I was doing in India for two months and why I had a rack of music gear (Prism converters and midi interface). I told him I had a spiritual retreat and asked if he had time to hear about. That got me past him extra quick!
 
@Brian Roth
I get what you're saying about taking everything even what you don't think you'll need with you. I had a job working in Saudi Arabia a few years back. The problem there is that work visas are very expensive, so the company we wereworking for provided us with tourist visas, & we had to rely on locally supplied tools because immigration would have jumped on us with tool bags. In Saudi the tools were not of great quality & when we had problems the employer tended to think throwing another 10 Philipino or Indian Labourers at the task would sort it out. This turned into chaos because we needed the right tools not more labour & the less skilled workes would huddle round you putting one hand on the work piece to kind of justify that they were doing some work.
 
@Rob Flinn

In my 50+ years in this biz I always worked throughout the USA until the Mexico City project. At that point I figured out what was needed for a Passport (now expired).

Fortunately, the guy who bought the 9098 desk had a VERY savvy "assistant" who also had some decent technical "chops". He also knew what supply sources were available in Mexico City (and elsewhere in the country). Nevertheless, we made several orders from Mouser in the USA during the project.....Mouser didn't have much of a Mexico presence back then.

One obstacle was the language difference, with me being a USA Gringo <g>. Gilberto's assistant and I would often communicate on some "odd-ball" situation via typing messages back and forth as we sat at my laptop and used "Google Translate"!

Bri
 
kags said:
I'm considering this. I'm pretty sure the client won't mind paying, even if it winds up costing a few hundred dollars. I'll look into FedEx, especially since I can insure the package. I'll also have to investigate how to avoid any tariffs. I won't have a work visa for the trip, so it might be hard to prove the items will not stay in the country.
Click to expand...
If you don't have a work visa for the country and they find the tools in your luggage, you may be turned around and denied entry. It's a fairly low probability, but you should be prepared for this eventuality. Shipping separately might be more sensible, even if it may cost more in import taxes at each end.
 
kags said:
Hey All -

I have a trip coming up from the U.S. to Thailand where I'm finishing a studio install and it's the first time that I'm flying overseas with a toolset. I've traveled with midi gear and laptops, but never with soldering equipment, etc. Does anyone have any tips to avoid hassles and/or theft for this? I was thinking of packing a pelican-style case and putting it inside a suitcase. I'm bringing basic soldering tools (iron, solder, desoldering pump, small lighted magnifier, side cutters, pliers, driver set, handheld multimeter, and the like) and also a laptop interface and measurement mic as carryon. Right now it all fits in a backpack. I was even thinking of putting a "biohazard" sticker or something on the pelican case to discourage tampering. I suppose I could lock the case, too, but that might also arouse curiosity.

Any suggestions to alleviate some headaches would be appreciated!

- Adam
Click to expand...
I've travelled a lot between London and LA with all sorts. Once a stowed case was full of cables, components soldering equipment and some transformers. They opened the bag and also opened some packaging, they normally leave a note to say you have been inspected.

With carry on I've taken looms, and cables quite few times. I've been checked once and they asked me what they were for and it was fine. I wouldn't take cutters, pliers, screwdrivers on my carry on. Anything that is a potential weapon they might confiscate. If you have a fine tipped soldering iron this could be classified as sharp.

I've travelled with my global kitchen knifes and a hatchet axe. As long as that kind of stuff is in the hold you are fine.

Lithium batteries can be an issue different airlines have different rules. BA is pretty relaxed with what you can put in the hold. American does not let you take anything in the hold with a lithium battery.

I'd stay clear of putting a Bio hazard sticker on anything. If spotted they are going to want to check that out and possible hold the bag because it may contain something that is not safe and may need a specialist team to check a potential bio hazard.

As far as theft, I think it is quite rare. Airports are pretty crime free places, if you do lock the case and it needs inspection security will just bust the lock open if they want to search. I don't think a lock will arouse suspicion and I think you can get TSA approved ones now.

Check your travel insurance covers your luggage fully.
 
I wouldn't worry about it, if they ask what the tools are for you are helping a friend set up his studio. I would put the backpack in the unlocked checked suitcase. Any laptop, interface or microphones in carryon and allow some extra time for TSA in case they make you take it out. I've done it in the past and might do it again in the near future
 
Matt Nolan said:
Shipping separately might be more sensible, even if it may cost more in import taxes at each end.
Click to expand...
There shouldn't be import tax or duty on items you have owned for over two years. You just have to make sure you have your customs forms completed correctly. So don't take new things in retail packing and you will be fine.

There are companies that will advance luggage or a courier maybe cheaper. Just make sure you fill out the customs form correctly.
 
Ask or check with the carrier you will be flying with. The rules change frequently as various items become perceived threats. Also, some items may be considered dangerous goods (loose lithium batteries for example) so check that list as well. Carrying some dangerous goods can attract very severe penalties - best not to inadvertently venture into that space.

Consider tools and test equipment would have to be in checked luggage. Aerosols and fluids have their own rules (FAA and the airlines) so again check with the airline before you pack.
Limit carry on items to precious items such as microphones.

Don't think what you are planning is anything unusual, the airlines encounter this every day, just be prepared for some particular requirements.

Doug
 

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