... in response to bringing a computer into colombia, posted by adventuro on Apr 6, 2005[This message has been edited by zack]
There are two things you need to keep in mind. First, regarding items checked in, suitcases get priority over boxes. If your flight is full, there is a chance that not every checked in item will make it onto the flight. I recently checked in a small copy machine, new and still in the original box. My flight was full and the box never made it onto the flight. It got bumped to the next day flight and I had to return to the airport the following day to retrieve it. The box would have fit into a large suitcase which is what I should have done.
Secondly, as Pacino aluded to,if you keep it in the original box you may have to pay a customs tax on it. I had to declare it at the gate and pay 45 US dollars. If you take it out of the box and pack it as if it is used, you are more likely to get the green light. Lessons learned the hard way.
Zack
