8 Surprising Items That Can Get You Detained at Customs When Traveling

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Each country has a specific list of restricted and prohibited products and you might be surprised by some of them Man going through airport screening Getty Images via BBC On January 17th, Arnold Schwarzenegger was stranded at Munich airport, Germany, for almost three hours. He allegedly failed to declare a Swiss watch from the Audemars Piguet brand, valued at more than 10 thousand euros (around R$53.4 thousand). Schwarzenegger intended to auction the watch to benefit an NGO that fights climate change. The actor and former governor of California seems to have taken the delay in stride. He even posed for a photo at the customs office. But in certain circumstances, any of us could be in his place. It’s easy to forget about regulations when preparing for an important trip. After all, the airport seems like just another stop on the long journey we will face to reach our destination and return. But it’s important to remember that employees in the aviation industry must follow numerous local and international regulations relating to safety, customs, agriculture, health and more. And certain errors can cause holds or delays – or even worse. Here are eight items you should avoid: 1. Invalid or damaged travel documents Regulations regarding travel documents vary by country and airline. To board without hassle, your travel documents must not be expired. In many cases, they need to be valid for a certain period before they expire. The logic behind these regulations is that if your return flight is delayed you will still be able to board at a later date. It is best to check the guidelines on passport and visa validity very carefully before leaving for the airport. Countries such as Thailand, Nepal and Turkey, for example, require that the passport be valid for six months to enter the country. Most of the European Union requires three months and New Zealand requires one month after your estimated return date. Also check that your photograph and personal data are clear and visible. Any tears, wear or water damage could prevent you from boarding until you can get new documents. Remember that travel documents can include more than just your passport. Some countries require additional documents about previous travel, parental consent (when traveling with a minor), vaccination records, or proof of accommodation during your stay in the country. US passport holders can check the latest guidance by destination. And the guidelines for Brazilians traveling abroad can be found on the portal See how to get a passport 2. Prohibited objects in luggage Many travelers may believe that, if they do not travel with illegal substances, their luggage will be accepted without problems. But not quite. Prohibited products can range from pornography (restrictions exist in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries) to firearms. Each country has a specific list of restricted and prohibited products and you may be surprised by some of them. India, for example, bans “maps and literature that incorrectly show India’s external borders.” Japan bans “books, drawings, prints and any other article that may harm public morals or safety.” Dubai, United Arab Emirates, bans home-cooked and prepared foods, as well as three-layer fishing nets, raw ivory and rhino horns. For Brazilians, the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac) website offers information on permitted and prohibited items in passengers’ luggage. And, to find out what is and is not allowed to take to each country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website offers a list of international consular representations in Brazil, for specific queries by country. Many airlines also list restricted products on their websites, but it’s best to check each country’s customs website before traveling for the latest information. Remember that some products may be legal in your country of origin and illegal in the country of destination. And airport officials may have the right to confiscate them, detain you, and deny you entry into the country. Why you should take photos before checking your bag at the airport; check out tips 3. Excessive amount of cash or undeclared valuable objects The star of The Terminator can be tough. But Schwarzenegger learned about the European Union’s monetary controls the hard way. In most countries, including the United States, you must declare or notify government authorities when entering or leaving the country with large amounts of money (typically over US$10,000) or objects valuables valued above this limit. Jewelry, luxury clothing and even electronic devices can also be included in the account. In countries like Canada and South Africa, you can fill out declaration forms before traveling, avoiding fines and delays at the airport. In Brazil, the gov.br portal contains instructions on declaring goods and cash for international travel. Best trips for 2024: Brasília is the only Brazilian city on the ‘New York Times’ list Shopping abroad: understand when you need to pay tax and how to do it 4. Prescription drugs In 2022, the International Narcotics Inspection Board (INCB, in its acronym in English) published a list of travel regulations regarding medicines containing controlled substances. But it’s not a complete relationship. If you plan to travel with medication, you need to confirm that the ingredients are permitted in your destination country. Some are accepted with a doctor’s prescription, but others are completely prohibited. One example is pseudoephedrine, used in Brazil as an active ingredient in several common medicines sold in pharmacies, but which is a controlled substance in Mexico. Violating the legislation of your destination country can have serious consequences. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends checking with the embassies of each country on your travel itinerary – including countries in transit – whether all your medicines are authorized. If you take medications that are controlled in your destination country, especially life-saving, psychiatric and/or psychotropic medications, consult your doctor to find appropriate substitutes or equivalents that can be purchased locally upon your arrival. 5. Undeclared plants and animals, pets or exotics. There are restrictions on taking any living creature to another country. And pet or wild plants and animals fall into this list. The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends that visitors consult the Don’t Pack a Pest website to learn how to declare plants, seeds and flowers in the United States. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service offers a Tourist Guide that advises travelers to avoid bringing live animals or restricted animal products. The list of generally prohibited items is quite wide. It includes live birds, medicines made from Asian black bears, rhinos and tigers, any product made from sea turtles and the skin of sea otters, polar bears and tigers. For domesticated animals, rules and regulations vary by airline, country and even the time of year. According to CBP, “not all animals are considered pets” in the United States. And the pets themselves may have restricted breeds in certain countries. Jamaica, for example, does not allow pit bull dogs to enter. In Brazil, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock website includes guidelines for entering and leaving the country with pets. If your dog or cat can get you detained at the airport, imagine the precautions required when traveling with snakes or other animals in cages. Most of them need to be shipped by pet carriers. They have to ensure that your pet meets all vaccination, quarantine and import/export restrictions along the route. Before traveling, check the latest instructions with each country’s airlines and embassies. Are you going to travel with your pet? See what precautions to take on the plane Traveling with pets: Fantastic shows what this experience is like from the perspective of the pets themselves 6. Flammable or explosive products Objects that burn or can explode – such as cigarettes, lighters or vaporizers – are generally restricted on most airlines. They provide instructions on how to transport these products safely, where permitted. Traveling with things that burn or explode can cause your flight to be cancelled. Fireworks are not allowed on board planes – not even the smallest fireworks. Friction from luggage can cause fireworks to ignite during the flight, which poses a safety risk to passengers and crew. In the United States, passengers who violate these regulations can face fines of up to US$75,000 (about R$368,000) per infraction. Furthermore, people who import this type of material for resale may be criminally prosecuted. So it doesn’t matter if you’re traveling for a birthday celebration, New Year’s Eve or a wedding: don’t travel with anything that could cause a fire. 7. Traveling drunk or under the influence of other drugs If you are thinking about drinking alcohol before traveling, it is best to reevaluate. If the crew on the ground or in the cabin think you have had too much to drink and pose a risk to yourself or others, you risk not being able to board. According to the American FAA, “boarding visibly intoxicated passengers is a violation of Chapter 121.575 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).” In other words, the ground crew is responsible for preventing anyone from boarding who may have had too much to drink before takeoff. On board the plane, American federal law prohibits passengers from consuming alcoholic beverages that have not been served by flight attendants. And Brazil has similar regulations regarding the boarding of drunk and drugged people and the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the flight. The FAA has also adopted a zero-tolerance policy on unruly passenger behavior. Disregarding this policy, for any reason, may result in a fine, inclusion on an airline’s internal no-fly list, or even a report to the FBI. Remember that alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited in some countries. You can be detained or go to prison if you are drunk or if you carry alcohol in your luggage. What are the possible consequences for shacks on the plane? ANAC is considering creating a list to punish passengers who create confusion on flights and airports 8. Pending fines, court orders or overdue child support Each case is different, but unresolved legal issues can destroy your travel plans abroad. In many countries, immigration and airport security authorities may have access to various databases that identify individuals with criminal records and outstanding court orders. “If you have outstanding fines and try to enter or leave New Zealand, the police may stop you at the airport,” warns the country’s Ministry of Justice website. In the United States, anyone with more than US$2,500 (about R$12,300) in outstanding child support is prohibited from even obtaining a passport. So make sure you’re on the right side of the law before trying to catch a plane. If you have criminal records or a pending civil trial, consult your attorney to confirm whether you can travel to your destination without restrictions. Pay your fines and resolve your outstanding warrants before traveling and bring proof of resolution, to avoid possible embarrassment and detention at airports. Read the original version of this report (in English) on the BBC Travel website. READ ALSO: See the best honeymoon destinations Discover the golden pizza that costs up to R$350 Ship Icon of The Seas is 5 times bigger than the Titanic; see details Discover the largest cruise ship in the world Discover the largest cruise ship in the world, which weighs 5 times more than the Titanic How to identify hidden cameras in accommodations Hidden camera: See how to identify yourself

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