PC on a plane!

[saladcrack]

Hello you wonderful people,

 

I am planning a build for college and I basically have to take my PC on the plane over there.  Why you ask? Because in the US it is about $200 cheaper to buy the parts I want for my build than it is in the UK (where I will be for college).  So I have my list on PcPartPicker.com all picked out lookin good and then I think, I have about the right case but is there more? Some other case out there that I should know about? Or maybe a rule or regulation that says I can't take a desktop in my carry on bag or as my carry on (idk of any plane forums to ask this in)? So my question to you is is my build acceptable for transport by air and do you know of any rule about computers on airplanes other than they have to be turned off during takeoff. Also what do you think of my case? I also do not know what sub-forum to post this in so general it is!! Also feel free to discuss computers on planes all day on here, you people are frikin fantastic!

 

PcPartPicker list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mGQKzy

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[Enderman]

they will probably take it away from you if you try to bring ti as carry on

[babadoctor]

They will handcuff you and arrest you for trying to bring a clock onto a plane. (Your computer)

[EposVox]

they will probably take it away from you if you try to bring ti as carry on

Not true at all.

 

In fact, DON'T put it in your suit case, you HAVE to bring it as a carry-on, but you'll be fine. Worst-case they ask you to turn it on and show it's a laptop. NBD. My last flight they didn't even ask.

[LeonKennedy6]

Just don't bring Luke's Fallout themed case on board and hopefully you'll be fine

[saladcrack]

Not true at all.

 

In fact, DON'T put it in your suit case, you HAVE to bring it as a carry-on, but you'll be fine. Worst-case they ask you to turn it on and show it's a laptop. NBD. My last flight they didn't even ask.

It's gonna be a mini-ITX build my friend, not a laptop.  I was just wondering if there were different regulations for desktops than laptops.

[corbetto]

You could bring it on as carry on luggage as long as its within the weight limit.

[Enderman]

Not true at all.

 

In fact, DON'T put it in your suit case, you HAVE to bring it as a carry-on, but you'll be fine. Worst-case they ask you to turn it on and show it's a laptop. NBD. My last flight they didn't even ask.

"PC" not "laptop"

I have seen people get expensive electronic devices taken away from them at customs

laptops, phones, tablets, are all alright, but not stuff like PCs, projectors, receivers, etc...

[Juanse]

It's gonna be a mini-ITX build my friend, not a laptop.  I was just wondering if there were different regulations for desktops than laptops.

If it's going to be m-itx then go on it as carry on, less chance of it getting crashed on luggage control. What case are you using btw?

[Andrew420]

Out of topic here: Will US Customs ban the old GIGABYTE G1. Assassin board? (With the gun accents and a SB heatsink that looks like bullets)

And the CoolerMaster Elite 110 is smaller, which could be less suspecting.

[Tmt97]

They will handcuff you and arrest you for trying to bring a clock onto a plane. (Your computer)

And if he happens to have Muslim heritage he might be shot immediately upon finding the clock.

[Tmt97]

Out of topic here: Will US Customs ban the old GIGABYTE G1. Assassin board? (With the gun accents and a SB heatsink that looks like bullets)

And the CoolerMaster Elite 110 is smaller, which could be less suspecting.

They confiscate toy grenades, what do you think?

[saladcrack]

If it's going to be m-itx then go on it as carry on, less chance of it getting crashed on luggage control. What case are you using btw?

I will be using the Fractal Design Node 304 because it is the one of, if not the only case I can find that meets the size requirements to carry on.

[thekeemo]

I have done it.

I take it apart and put everything but the PSU and Case in a carryon tightly wrapped in clothes

[saladcrack]

Out of topic here: Will US Customs ban the old GIGABYTE G1. Assassin board? (With the gun accents and a SB heatsink that looks like bullets)

And the CoolerMaster Elite 110 is smaller, which could be less suspecting.

The Elite 110 has limited space for a full sized graphics card which is almost essential to me.

[Epiceleon]

Just don't bring Luke's Fallout themed case on board and hopefully you'll be fine

Now you tell me

[MrBucket101]

why not buy the parts, then ship them to yourself wherever you're going.

[Ivelin__]

why not buy the parts, then ship them to yourself wherever you're going.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Timie187]

I would just call the airline to ask.

[saladcrack]

I would just call the airline to ask.

I am going to contact the airline and the TSA, thanks for all the help guys!

[Coaxialgamer]

Just keep the hdd in protective foam or something to make sure it isnt damaged

[AstroBenny]

why not buy the parts, then ship them to yourself wherever you're going.

Import duty..

[DebatED Nothing]

I would buy the parts but not assemble them, put big things in your bag (like the case) and smaller boxes like RAM, CPU, GPU(maybe) in your carry on to look after them.

[TetraSky]

Because in the US it is about $200 cheaper to buy the parts I want for my build than it is in the UK (where I will be for college).

You have to declare it at custom when re-entering the country, so really, you ain't saving anything.

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/declaring-goods

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-outside-the-eu

 

Allowance for other goods

You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat).

If a single item’s worth more than your allowance you pay any duty or tax on its full value, not just the value above the allowance.

If you go over your allowance

You pay Customs Duty on anything you bring in above your allowance. The rate:

    is 2.5% for goods worth up to £630

    depends on the type of goods if they’re worth more than £630 - check by calling the VAT, Customs and Excise Helpline

You don’t pay Customs Duty if you owe less than £9.

You may also have to pay import VAT.

 

So unless you ship it to yourself from the US to the UK and set the value of the package under $9, you ain't making that trip without spending that $200.

You could of course just flat out lie and don't declare it. But if you are caught, you can expect to have to pay a hell of a lot more than the above fees.

 

 

Edit : Wait, you're in the US right now? Then I'm honestly not sure how it works... This would be if you were in the UK, going to the US to buy something and then coming back to the UK I think? (at least, that's how it works for the Canada/US border, you have to declare the stuff you bought)

But considering how many people bring their laptops all the time when traveling, I doubt you will be asked to pay duty.

[GodSpoon]

I have done it.

I take it apart and put everything but the PSU and Case in a carryon tightly wrapped in clothes

 

Im sure that looks great in the scanner