Can I return back to the original airport if my valuable item is going to be confiscated in airport security?

7/19/2016 5:35:14 PM

If you can back down from the security checkpoint, and go back in the airport, you can try to mail the object to yourself, if there is a post office.

This requires going through immigration in some cases to get to the public part of the airport, which possibly requires a visa. It is not possible in all cases.

7/19/2016 11:35:11 AM

There are a few variables here:

  1. If the item is forbidden, it will simply be confiscated and you are not allowed to have it back; as it is most likely destroyed. There is no recourse here.

  2. If the item is restricted then it will be held for you, pending any paperwork or other requirements. For example, if you owe duty or taxes on an item, it is confiscated and held, until you can pay the fines. Or if you need a special permit – the item is again confiscated but held until you can provide such permits.

  3. If the item is not acceptable for carriage, then it is simply returned to you; if you are no longer going to be taking the flight. In this case, the item is not illegal or forbidden, it is just not acceptable for carriage; possibly because it requires special handling or equipment.

  4. If the item not illegal or forbidden, but is not allowed on board the aircraft – then it is confiscated. If you want to continue your journey, then the item is forfeit and it is then destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the agency that confiscated it. Sometimes, you may be given back the item if its something that cannot be in your carry-on luggage, but it is okay in checked luggage – you may be given the opportunity to check it in.

If you believe an item was stolen from your luggage; your only recourse is travel insurance.

If your bags are opened by customs, it is usually marked as such. If an item was removed by customs officials (these are the ones that are responsible for checking goods crossing the borders) you can take lodge a complaint with the respected agency. They may have already destroyed the item (depending on what it is and the nature of the threat posed by it).

In transit, your goods are also subject to inspection and it may be that the item is removed by the transit authority or is otherwise blocked or restricted. This is rare, but does happen.

In all these cases, you are responsible for your return ticket and all expenses associated with it.

To minimize your grief:

  1. Always keep valuable with you on your person.

  2. It is your responsibility to know the rules and limits for your journey. The airline is there to merely inform you, they are not the enforcing agency and they are not responsible if goods are confiscated from you.

  3. Travel insurance is really handy in case of loss or damage during travel. It can be purchased separately, but it may also be available to you if you purchased your ticket using a credit card.

7/19/2016 10:49:08 AM

In practice, as a transferring passenger on an international-international journey, your item is forfeit.

If it is confiscated by airport security, then you can have it back if you decide not to travel by plane. You cannot take it on a plane (to anywhere). That includes back where you came from.

If you don’t have a visa or a passport that allows you to enter China, then you will have to find another way to send your item to your destination. If you are a very important customer you may be able to put it in checked baggage by asking an airport worker for assistance, but if you don’t speak Mandarin I think you have almost no chance of succeeding.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

About me

Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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