Flying. Can I check an auto in my checked luggage?

[Sidehill Gouger]

This is NOT a completely true statement.

IF there are no stops between origination and destination, you're fine.

However, if you have something in your checked luggage that is illegal in a country that is a layover/transfer/refueling stop, that country's customs police WILL confiscate it AND MAY throw you in the pokey as well. Case in point - Hong Kong - Hong Kong customs officials check ALL checked luggage passing through their airport, whether staying or just passing through.

Since Hong Kong's independence has gone the way of the dodo, I suspect the same would be true for a flight that landed in any other Chinese airport as well.

I have friends who bought knives that were perfectly legal in both the Philippines and the US that took off from Manila, landed in Hong Kong for whatever and they were subsequently arrested and spent a time in the local jail and paid big fines before release.

i went through this on a stop in Shanghai traveling from Thailand to the US. Lost some of my knives to the police but they let me keep a large kitchen knife and a cleaver. Wasn't sure if I was going to jail or not for a while but a supervisor made the call to let me go on.

 

[jjg6319]

Why take a chance even with a checked bag. All you need is one TSA agent that is a jerk and you loose the knife. Isn't a checked bag still x-rayed? Only do it with something you don't mind loosing.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

Why take a chance even with a checked bag. All you need is one TSA agent that is a jerk and you loose the knife. Isn't a checked bag still x-rayed? Only do it with something you don't mind loosing.

As a frequent long distance traveler that works going out but you don't always have much choice coming back say from Atlanta or an overseas destination. Other than Shanghai I haven't had any problems. My advice is DON'T book a flight that changes planes in China, EVER!