AiRpollUtiOn 0 #1 December 19, 2004 We all know the world has changed since 9/11, and here in Europe we'll even have to get biometrical data on our passeports soon if we want to come to the states as from 2006 or something (will be great for Europeans when choosing a holliday destination, as from that point in time there is no way in hell that I am coming over anymore) (But anyway...) Suppose I want to go from Amsterdam to let's say Houston pretty soon (I'm not gay and am not bringing any drugs, that would be too obvious) for a few jumps and to take a look at a Shuttle launch or something. What do I need to know about customs in regard to my skydiving gear? Can I take my rig as handluggage? Do customs-people know that my Cypres is not capable of destroying a 747? Do I need special papers? Any advice would be nice. (By the way, sadly as it that I actually have to take this into account nowadays, but my appearance is very white - blond - blue eyes. and I am not taking any flying classes except the one's where I only use my body)"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airgord 1 #2 December 19, 2004 Not really sure about most of your queries but I do know that they launch the space shuttle from Florida and control it from Houston. Homeland security is a little overboard right now, paranoia is probably closer. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liemberg 0 #3 December 20, 2004 QuoteHomeland security is a little overboard right now, paranoia is probably closer He should've never brought it up overhere in the first place? "Whoever in discussion adduces authority uses not intellect but memory." - Leonardo da Vinci A thousand words... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #4 December 20, 2004 ...Weerdt ~ sounds like the town I was just at over there in the Netherlands, spittin distance from Belgium. Anyway... Yes you can carry on your rig, have the paperwork in hand concerning your AAD. ..and some kind of 'Skydiver Membership ID' If you're flying here to Houston... you're hopefully on Continental (777 Non-stop) Get to the Amsterdam airport *AT LEAST* two hours early! They WILL go through your gear. Leave the hook knife etc. at home. (I'll loan ya one here in Houston.. I'm 10 mins from the airport) When you get here... if all you have is carry-on bags- Haul ass to customs! You'll be through in 20-30 minutes. If you have to wait for checked bags.. plan on an hour minimum to get through the line. Depending on the time of day, as much as two. The puppy's will be sniffing you in line, and if you're clean.. polite..and don't' have any fruits or veggies... you'll have no problems! I travel often with gear, be patient, explain, ask to talk to a supervisor if you feel like you're getting screwed around. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #5 December 20, 2004 Quotebut my appearance is very white - blond - blue eyes. Sounds GAY to me? LMAO J/K... You should have no problems, just let them know it's a parachute system BEFORE you let it go through the Xray machine and you will be fine. I have NEVER had a problem with gear and I do fly alot with it. Be safe Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #6 December 20, 2004 Quote I have NEVER had a problem with gear and I do fly alot with it. Quote Yeah but you look like Dennis Miller! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #7 December 20, 2004 QuoteYeah but you look like Dennis Miller! Here's the both of us. Nothing alike, except neither one of us gives a shit...... Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #8 December 20, 2004 You are much better looking Ed! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #9 December 20, 2004 QuoteQuoteYeah but you look like Dennis Miller! Here's the both of us. Nothing alike, except neither one of us gives a shit...... Ed Which one are you?My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot1 0 #10 December 20, 2004 QuoteYou are much better looking Ed! Thanks Bon. Now go give Mathais a kiss for me. Edwww.WestCoastWingsuits.com www.PrecisionSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jannu 0 #11 December 20, 2004 Hello I just travelled from Helsinki, Finland -> Amsterdam -> Minneapolis -> Los Angeles. Put my Cypres equipped rig in my luggage. Left it unlocked. Wrote a paper on top of the rig that if they need to open it, please ask me to come and see how they do it. Also asked not to pull any handles. Taped the Cypres x-ray card on that paper. Also told at the check-in counter in Helsinki that I am carrying a skydive rig. They didn't think it would be a problem. The airline was KLM. From A'dam the KLM flights were flown by Northwest. Had to check my luggage out upon arrival to States, in Minneapolis. Seems they didn't even open my luggage... No problems, today, jumped in Perris greetings from California Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merkur 1 #12 December 20, 2004 Hi, I just came back from Houston. Went there 6 months ago from Frankfurt. I had my rig as a carry on with a printout of the FAA information on travelling with a rig. You can find that on the USPA website. Be sure to have everything that looks like a knife in your suitcase and not in the carry on. I did not have any problems with the cypress, although I experienced different treatments from no additional checks of my equipment to a very detailed inspections of all of my stuff. Really depends on the knowledge of the inspection team. So be at the airport really early. At your first airport in the U.S. you will have to go through customs with all of your stuff - this will take again some time. At Houston check out Skydive Houston - nice place to beM.vSCR No.94 Don't dream your life - live your dream! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #13 December 20, 2004 OK, clear! So what about coming to the States, buying used gear, going back to Amsterdam, anything I should know about that?"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #14 December 21, 2004 post receipts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merkur 1 #15 December 21, 2004 What are you thinking about??? There is no problem with buying stuff and bringing it back to Europe. The only thing I can think about is, that you should check if it is legal to use that particular gear in your country. For example, a while ago, the Vigil wasn't approved to be used in Germany - but this is the only equipment I can think about right now. You can always check this by asking your countrys governing body. M.vSCR No.94 Don't dream your life - live your dream! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #16 December 21, 2004 Hi s7ven, Well..you should declare the rig you bought when you pass through customs .. You then have to pay 19% BTW and 2.7% importtax on the chutes. I don't know what the rate is for the container but I guess it's around 2.7-6%. When are you planning to go to the states? I am thinking about it to make a trip as well to the US (to pick up my rig)... _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #17 December 21, 2004 So suppose it's second hand... think I have to declare it than? I was thinking of just walking through. Good plan? Bad plan?"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zep 0 #18 December 21, 2004 What ever you do if your coming from Europe DO NOT FLY INTO ATLANTA What a fucking disaster area. Gone fishing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #19 December 21, 2004 Officially....I think so..but what is the worst that can happen if you just walk through? That customs give you a routine check and that you have to pay the taxes anyway??? _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AiRpollUtiOn 0 #20 December 21, 2004 'We are now talking about the dutch customs, aren't we. I don't know how big the difference is between the checks on european flights and transatlantic ones. I took my rig on planes to France, Spain, the Canaries and even Morocco (not a part of the European union). Nobody ever gave the thing a second look. The good thing in buying used gear is that it looks... well .... used, so I guess I am not attracting specific attention, in that case only a truly "routine" check would be a potential problem. Do they let you take the rig as hand luggage both ways?"Don't make me come down there" - God. My site:http://www.skystudio.nl/video.html Some of my vids: http://www.youtube.com/user/TomSkyStudio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fab 0 #21 December 21, 2004 'We are now talking about the dutch customs, aren't we." Of course we are As for letting you take the rig as hand luggage both ways. I don't see why they shouldn't. Can't be sure though but I wouldn't check your rig in as normal luggage. If you really want to be sure..give the airline a call about it. Maybe it's also a good idea to bring some papers along proving that you are in fact a skydiver...(logbook, knvvl membershhip etc). _______________________________________ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
