Traveling Overseas with Tools

[CJ]

DeXoxit takes forever to get here because they have to ship ground.

 

[kags]

Go

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.

Good Info - I do have some TSA approved padlocks for my regular suitcases, so if I decide to bring the gear with me, I'll use those. I' leaning towards FedEX for the gear just to avoid any visa related issues. I was held up in London one time when my colleague stupidly and excitedly told the customs agent that we were there working for a record company when we didn't have any work visas/permits. It was OK, but led to a lot of questions and unnessary time and paperwork.

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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.

Good Info - I do have some TSA approved padlocks for my regular suitcases, so if I decide to bring the gear with me, I'll use those. I' leaning towards FedEX for the gear just to avoid any visa related issues. I was held up in London one time when my colleague stupidly and excitedly told the customs agent that we were there working for a record company when we didn't have any work visas/permits. It was OK, but led to a lot of questions and unnessary time and paperwork.

 

[kags]

@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.

Luckily this install involves new construction and brand new gear: computer, DAW, monitoring, mic panels, etc. Pus overseeing a carpenter building and installing acoustic treatment. I'm making sure all the gear, cabling, and connectors arrive before I do. The biggest pain will be software installation and soldering mic panels, but hopefully no component-level troubleshooting! I will have to remember to bring my crimpers for D-sub, Cat6, and why not bring along Elco/Edac, as well? The main thing I always forget when doing remote work is a drop-light and a comfortable short stool! My bones/butt can't handle sitting on the floor soldering mic panels anymore...

Hopefully, I won't need to troubleshoot anything that can't be sussed with a tone or a cable tester! I've already made sure that at least one person on the construction crew speaks fluent English, too ;-) I'll just need a sturdy umbrella...

This has been an international ensemble, with HVAC consulting from the U.K., building material from China, and construction management and studio integration from the U.S. The gear is also all shipping from the U.S. so I can check it before it embarks. Fortunately, the owner is experienced in construction projects and not cost-shy, so extra fees for shipping and insuring should be no problem.

 

[cyrano]

I do have some TSA approved padlocks for my regular suitcases, so if I decide to bring the gear with me, I'll use those.

Are these still the padlocks which only have six different keys?

I' leaning towards FedEX for the gear just to avoid any visa related issues. I was held up in London one time when my colleague stupidly and excitedly told the customs agent that we were there working for a record company when we didn't have any work visas/permits. It was OK, but led to a lot of questions and unnessary time and paperwork.

Decades years ago, even when traveling inside the EU, we needed pro-forma invoices of everything. Not that there was any import to pay, just to prove what it was. And to show it was a temp import.

Worse memories were Turkey and Saudi-Arabia. In Turkey, the tools weren't even out of customs weeks after I was back. In Saudi-Arabia, I was threatened they would arrest me as a terrorist. The embassy had to send someone to get us through customs.

We wound up sending all tools and spares as either freight or with a fast courier. If you can do that weeks beforehand, you'll be OK.

Nowadays, I only travel rarely inside the EU and there are no customs, so it's easy.

 

[kags]

Are these still the padlocks which only have six different keys?



Decades years ago, even when traveling inside the EU, we needed pro-forma invoices of everything. Not that there was any import to pay, just to prove what it was. And to show it was a temp import.

Worse memories were Turkey and Saudi-Arabia. In Turkey, the tools weren't even out of customs weeks after I was back. In Saudi-Arabia, I was threatened they would arrest me as a terrorist. The embassy had to send someone to get us through customs.

We wound up sending all tools and spares as either freight or with a fast courier. If you can do that weeks beforehand, you'll be OK.

Nowadays, I only travel rarely inside the EU and there are no customs, so it's easy.

One more reason to ship the tools ahead. Some countries (departure and arrival) are better or worse, but I'll take as little risk as possible. I assume that the TSA-certified keys have a passkey and/or a limited number of shapes. I figure a luggage lock prevents opportunity crimes, not a motivated thief.

 

[Whoops]

I thought any aerosol was strictly forbidden

It's important to differentiate "Carry on luggage" and "Checked/Hold luggage",
carry on luggage is what you take inside the plane with you, and that has a lot of limits and a lot of stuff that is forbidden, like sharp objects, liquids, tools, aerosols, etc

"Checked/Hold luggage" is what you send on the plane cargo, and in that luggage you can have sharp objects, liquids, tools, aerosols.

So NO, aerosols are forbidden in the Checked/Hold luggage.

Adam's situation described in the first post is really simple to solve,
he has to send all those items in the Checked/Hold luggage, do an insurance for those items just in case, and problem solved.

I travel a lot with bands to many different countries and I have to carry similar type of equipment with me all the time, no problems whatsover. Laptop and Ipad goes with me on the Carry on luggage, microphones, tools, electronic equipment, aerosols, etc go all in the Checked/Hold luggage

 

[MicMaven]

Can you say, "International Incident?"

I am giggling over the very idea of labeling anything a bio-hazard, let alone a locked Pelican case containing potential contraband. I foresee foreign agents placing both shipping case and passenger in quarantine for several WEEKS, if not months. I further foresee intense intervention by US diplomatic officials attempting to explain why our creative passenger is not an international counter-terrorist intent on performing serious mischief, trying to establish it is just a poor choice of words and an offbeat sense of humor. No ... from my point of view ... um ... that is tantamount to visiting the airport and loudly exclaiming somebody's new sports car is, "da Bomb!"

Personally, I would ship the most important tools I simply cannot work without, and pack a second set in my luggage, with a clear letter of explanation from the employer explaining they are both temporary and necessary to complete the project. Something about honesty being the best policy, or something like that springs to mind ...

But DO NOT take MY word for anything. I would inquire of of the airline(s) and Customs, both here and abroad, and ask them how to manage it. Get the instructions in writing, and follow them accurately. Parepare a list and a photo of what you intend to import and explain what they do, and ask how to covey said items properly. At least that is just what I would do. Or course your mileage may differ ... but, I retired at a very young age after making my fortune representing a lot of guys with crazy notions about how to beat various systems ... Just saying - you be the judge. James

 

[kags]

Can you say, "International Incident?"

I am giggling over the very idea of labeling anything a bio-hazard, let alone a locked Pelican case containing potential contraband. I foresee foreign agents placing both shipping case and passenger in quarantine for several WEEKS, if not months. I further foresee intense intervention by US diplomatic officials attempting to explain why our creative passenger is not an international counter-terrorist intent on performing serious mischief, trying to establish it is just a poor choice of words and an offbeat sense of humor. No ... from my point of view ... um ... that is tantamount to visiting the airport and loudly exclaiming somebody's new sports car is, "da Bomb!"

Personally, I would ship the most important tools I simply cannot work without, and pack a second set in my luggage, with a clear letter of explanation from the employer explaining they are both temporary and necessary to complete the project. Something about honesty being the best policy, or something like that springs to mind ...

But DO NOT take MY word for anything. I would inquire of of the airline(s) and Customs, both here and abroad, and ask them how to manage it. Get the instructions in writing, and follow them accurately. Parepare a list and a photo of what you intend to import and explain what they do, and ask how to covey said items properly. At least that is just what I would do. Or course your mileage may differ ... but, I retired at a very young age after making my fortune representing a lot of guys with crazy notions about how to beat various systems ... Just saying - you be the judge. James

Good advice, but forget the travelling info - I should have met you years ago to learn the secrets of retiring early!

 

[Philbo King]

I had a toolcase checked as baggage containing some esoteric test equipment flagged as suspicious by the TSA during a business trip (within the US), but was able to get it sorted out during a TSA 'interview' where I had to explain the purpose and function of each piece.

Standard hand tools and soldering gear might not raise flags, although the airport security in some countries might view them with great suspicion. I vote for shipping them too, especially since they'll need to go through Customs in both directions.

 

[Ike Zimbel]

I have a Pelican style case (actual case is Underwater Kinetics) that I have flown to jobs many times since the early 2000's. For the most part it's been fine. Once, my Agilent UA1604 scope-meter didn't work on arrival...I'm pretty sure the backlight got damaged. Since then, I carry that piece in my backpack. This has also helped meet the 50lb weight limit with the case. Before that, I had to take a few things out when I checked it and either put them in another checked bag, or take out bits I could put in carry-on...like a roll of solder.
I have flown it to Trinidad a couple of times. Both times my client warned me that I might get hassled at customs, and both times it was fine. Never had a problem going to the States from Canada or coming back...flying. Had a couple of issues while driving.
The case has a pretty complete electronics shop in it which includes an audio test set, the aforementioned scope-meter, soldering and de-soldering (Denon SC7000) stations, Cap checker, transistor tester and common resistors, capacitors, IC's, transistors, diodes, bridges, voltage regulators, LED's, hardware, crimps, first aid kit (small) etc.

 

[pucho812]

I just saw this.
I experiencing the following last year.
Check any tools under the plane. There are length requirements and if you go over, you will loose the tools to security.
I flew to England as part of work. I checked in my tools in my luggage under the plane. Had zero hassle and arrived without issue.
In my return trip had my tools in my carry on by accident. I literally was in such a rush that I forgot to transfer them to my check in luggage.
Went through security at Heathrow where I was stopped. They had to call a supervisor over who grilled me about my tools. This was after I was already grilled by the security person about my tools.
They basically were wondering why I had them and then they followed it with “right. Ok. Here is what will happen” I was let through but they took some of the tools. My long screw driver over 7” was not allowed, so was a lot of other bobs and bits. I did get to keep my diagonal cutters which baffled me. I even went as far as to question why my long pozi drive screwdriver was not ok.but the instrument with a sharp point I could stab someone in the neck with was ok? It didn’t sit well that I questioned and was held up but eventually let go and I made my flight.

 

[kags]

I have been to a few concerts over the past few years where my 2-inch Swiss army pen knife/nail file is not allowed in. I walk around a corner and bury it in a planter and retrieve it after the show. A bit overzealous security!

 

[Electrobumps]

I have been to a few concerts over the past few years where my 2-inch Swiss army pen knife/nail file is not allowed in. I walk around a corner and bury it in a planter and retrieve it after the show. A bit overzealous security!

There must be all sorts in the planters outside venues. Did exactly the same with my Swiss army knife when I tool my daughter to Disney on ice.