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Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 12:19
by Leanne
Okay I know this might sound strange as I know luggage will be xrayed etc, but I don't know where to put wrapped presents that I am taking with me next week.

Shall I risk putting them in hand luggage or hold luggage?

To be fair they aren't heavy or bulky nor are they really expensive, they are token gifts (socks, cufflinks, putter head cover).

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 12:31
by Neil
You can put them in either, but be prepared to unwrap or have them unwrapped if they want to.

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 12:51
by waatp
If I am putting them in the suitcase, I'll leave them wrapped (but don't get annoyed if I find them unwrapped at the other end!).

If in hand luggage, I'll always leave them unwrapped.

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 13:02
by Bretty
Why not pack them unwrapped and wrap them at the other end? That way nobody's gonna want to unwrap to see what's suspicious inside ):

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 13:46
by gfonk
Bretty wrote:Why not pack them unwrapped and wrap them at the other end? That way nobody's gonna want to unwrap to see what's suspicious inside ):


I agree with this.
Thats what I did on my second visit with wrapped gifts.
On the first occasion I wasnt asked to unwrap them but I did get questioned at customs upon arrival at destination.

Second time just put the items in my luggage and bought wrapping paper on first day. sorted.

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 14:00
by Leanne
Thanks everyone, all good points there.

I wanted to wrap them as I thought it would be easier travelling with Hubby as they are for him. But I'm sure I can banish him to the bar for a bit so I can wrap them :w

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 14:07
by LizzieP
Leave them unwrapped but pack a gift bag big enough to hold them all at the bottom of your suitcase. I'll only take seconds to 'wrap' the goodies at the other end and no heartache of unwrapping them at Customs. If you disperse the gifts throughout your luggage, chances are, Customs won't expose them all anyway. Good luck.

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 15:31
by clarkeysntfc
I would highly recommend that you do not wrap the presents before travelling.

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 18:31
by Kraken
Another vote for travelling with the presents unwrapped. Should there happen to be any "less than honest" person in the baggage handling areas, it would be reasonable to assume they would think a wrapped present may be of value and consider taking it.

As was said on another thread here, never put anything of value in checked luggage when travelling home from the USA if you can avoid it. The TSA can open any bag for an inspection & there are people on here who have had stuff disappear from bags that have been inspected.

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 21:03
by Daniel Armstrong
For what its worth I wouldnt bother wrapping anything. If you are in the Revivals lounge you could do it there?

I think its just too much of a risk and hassle, it only takes one person to ask about them, unwrap them and then start asking questions on Tax etc for it to be a total nightmare!

Re: Travelling with wrapped presents

PostPosted: 24 Sep 2013, 21:45
by Leanne
Funnily enough it was the TSA post that made me think of this, we're actually heading to Dubai.

I think I am going to stick them into the suitcase but unwrapped and just take paper with me. I might actually take the receipts with me as well just in case for customs purposes, mind you the most expensive item is £40 (not the point though).

I don't want to risk them in hand luggage and getting stopped in security with Hubby who will then see them.

Perils of travelling over birthdays and reading too much on the internet prior to travel - been reading horror stories about Dubai airport).