Five ways you could get detained at the airport – and even celebs have been caught out
WHEN we’re getting ready to jet off into the horizon being detained at the airport isn’t something at the forefront of our minds.
But far too many times unsuspecting Brits and even celebrities have been caught out and had their travel plans flipped upside down.
Here are five ways you could get detained at the airport so you can avoid a sunny trip away turning into a holiday horror story.
Prohibited items in luggage
The first way you could find yourself in a spot of bother going through customs is if you have a prohibited item in your bag.
Although it might seem obvious, many Brits fall into the trap of thinking that as long as they don’t have illegal substances in their bag then they will breeze through security – but this is not the case.
Travellers must also be mindful of the rules of the destination they are travelling to.
For example in many countries in Asia and the Middle East pornography is a restricted item.
And India prohibits “maps and literature where India’s external boundaries are shown incorrectly”.
Japan prohibits “books, drawings, carvings and any other article which may harm public safety or morals”.
And Dubai bans cooked and homemade foods, as well as three layer fishing nets, crude ivory and rhino horns.
Excessive amounts of cash or undeclared valuables
In most countries, including the US, you must declare or notify government officials when entering or leaving the country with large wads of cash – usually anything over $10,000.
Travellers must also declare valuables that cost more than that amount.
This can include Jewellery, luxury clothing and even electronics.
In places like South Africa and Canada you can complete the declaration forms before travelling and spare yourself fines and delays in the airport.
Prescription medication
The International Narcotics Control Board published a list of travel regulations around medicines that contain controlled substances in 2022.
However, it is by no means complete.
If you’re planning to travel with medications, you need to confirm that the ingredients are permitted in the country you’re travelling to.
Some are allowed with a doctor’s note, but others are completely banned.
For example, pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in over-the-counter Sudafed, is considered a controlled substance in Mexico.
Violating the laws of your destination can have serious consequences.
The CDC recommends checking with the embassies of every country along your travel route – including transit countries – to make sure all your medicines are permitted.
If you’re on meds that are restricted in your destination talk with your doctor about alternatives or substitutions that you may be able to buy after you arrive.
Undeclared plants, pets or exotic animals
There are restrictions on bringing any living creature into another country – this includes plants.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends visitors check the Don’t Pack a Pest website to learn more about declaring plants, seeds and flowers in the US.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a “A Guide for Tourists” that helps travellers avoid bringing in restricted live animals or animal products.
The list of generally prohibited items is extensive.
It includes live birds, medicine from Asiatic black bears, rhinos and tigers, all sea turtle products and fur from sea otters, polar bears and tigers.
For domesticated animals, the rules and regulations vary by airline, country and even time of year.
In the US, “not all animals qualify as pets,” according to CBP.
And even pets may have restricted breeds in certain countries. Jamaica, for example, doesn’t allow the import of pit bull terriers.
Flying under the influence
Having a few drinks to calm pre-flight nerves might seem like a good idea – but it couldn’t be further from the truth.
If the ground or cabin crew thinks you’ve had too much and are a danger to yourself and others, that could be cause for delay.
According to the FAA, “The boarding of a passenger who appears to be intoxicated is a violation of Section 121.575 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).” This makes ground crew responsible for stopping anyone who may have had too many before takeoff.
On board, US federal law prohibits passengers from drinking alcoholic beverages that were not served by a flight attendant.
And, the FAA has a zero-tolerance policy on unruly behaviour from flight passengers.
It comes as Arnold Schwarzenegger was detained at an airport in Germany and interrogated after luggage inspection.
The Terminator star, 76, was held by customs officers in Munich “under tax laws” for several hours after flying in from Los Angeles.
