[dharder]

I'm flying to Auckland next week (aaaarrrrggghhh) via LA, and was worried about this: as a christmas present, I'm getting a docking station/speakers for my iPod. It is not massively big, and about 4.5kg heavy, and should come in one box. I'll be using it here for a couple of days, so it won't be new.

My questions:

Is it okay to pack the box in the suitcase? Will it break (would put it back in original packaging)? Will it look like a bomb on some x-ray machine and be pulled out and stop the flight? (I was also going to ask 'will it be stolen' but who could possibly know that :))

Will it be okay to take something into NZ in its original box, or would they assume it is new and make me pay import duty on it?

I know these are silly questions, but the speakers weren't cheap, and anyway, I need to distract myself from the more serious issues like leaving family, starting new life, etc...

Would appreciate to hear what things are safe to pack in the check in luggage.

Thanks,
Daniela

[ourquest]

Wow, exciting, good luck!

Airport security officials should be able to tell the difference. They need to be quite good at their job. Remember it isn't about whether it looks like one, it's more about whether it actually is one.

Have a look at www.customs.govt.nz regarding what you can bring in. I thought personal items had to be obviously used but the website is not working properly today, so I cannot confirm.

[dharder]

Have a look at www.customs.govt.nz regarding what you can bring in. I thought personal items had to be obviously used but the website is not working properly today, so I cannot confirm.

Thanks for the link, will check it out. Well if it has to be 'obviously used', it should be enough to let the four year olds use it for about 5 minutes, I think. That should take care of any impression of 'newness'... :)

Daniela

[ourquest]

Would appreciate to hear what things are safe to pack in the check in luggage.

Thanks,
Daniela

Well I know you arrived safely, I even know you bought a TV without the right plug connection...but did the iPod docking station arrive safely????

[dharder]

but did the iPod docking station arrive safely????

It did indeed :)

Everything arrived just fine, and the gooey stuff on the outside of one suitcase must have come from someone else's broken shampoo bottle, since mine were all okay.

Daniela