Software

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I dont mean to be cruel. I really don't recall this one.

 

I have not always had the best experiences with US Customs.

[potica69]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I just wanted to know if there has been a [color:"blue"]new and recent[/color] crackdown by U.S Customs for software being brought in from Thailand.

 

Back in 2001 I brought about 8 top-end software programs into the U.S from Bangkok, and U.S Customs didn't say a thing. Then, in March of 2005, my buddy brought me back another 12 top-end software programs, and again, U.S Customs let him through with no hassles.

 

Just yesterday another friend told me that when he returned to the U.S from Bangkok a few weeks ago that U.S Customs asked him if he brought back any software, and if he did, they would confiscate it.

 

So, does anybody know if there has been a new blitz on bringing back software to the U.S from Thailand??

[thalenoi]

What did you pay 230E for at A'dam airport?

 

I once had to pay 25E for carrying a suit made in Bangkok.

 

The worst I saw was a Luxemburgish customs guy trying to fine a Hong Kong passport holder lady for importing a brand new camera she bought where you would think? In Hong Kong, because she lives there. Pissed off, I told the idiot he could not do that and he had to back track.

 

Crossing the path of customs a thousand times I once had to leave some cigs at Frankfurt Airport, I refused to pay a fine, I had a box containing 400 cigs whilst you could only import 200....Never got into more trouble.

[Old Hippie]

Himitsu I can't be assed to find the link myself...in a nutshell, I was carrying an Apple lap top back for a friend, I was asked by the final agent (after getting my bags, next stop interview/search or out the door) if I knew people in Thailand/Cambodia, foolishly, I said yes she said "who do you know?" Isaid "...lots of people how many names do you want, Lek, Noi, etc..." She says go for an interview, (which the first guy had all ready told me I needed to do).

 

I go for the inspection/interview, the woman agent was cool, funny, and made jokes about having so many condoms, then said "sorry if I embarrassed you" I said "no, I am just emabarrassed I have so many left, I'm getting old..." we both laugh...

 

Then, this dipshit, looked like he was right out of the trailor park, came over demanding to know where I bought the laptop, my camera etc...then said He wanted to see all my photos, and kept asking If I had porn, I kept telling him no, as I did not...

 

Then I asked him why he thought I had any...and he said "you were in Thailand and Cambodia, and tons of underage stuuf comes from there...you can have porn, just not under 18..." Keep in mind, he is saying this loud, acting like a dickhead, and there are other passangers watching this as well...his manner pissed me off, he left, she found the DVDs I had, asked about software...and then he came back, yelling "I want to see you Photos, all of them NOW!" I said "GET your supervisor! NOW!" He refused, more yelling, someone above him came out...etc...

 

Search continued, Ttold the dick agent to "go away NOW< I AM FINISHED DEALING with you! " and his supervisor told him to leave...concluded the search/interview, got a BS explanation of why Thailand and Cambodia are target countries for porn and underage porn, and Pirated materials etc...and then began the complaint procedure...

 

As I said, I was told ANY "Bootleg" software would be confiscated...my question is, how do they know it isn't a copy of a product I bought? Can I make a back up copy of a product I bought, and travel with it...?

[cavanami]

I usually fly into Chicago via Japan, hence, I put I am arriving from Japan...no hassles.

 

When I fly in to the west coast, I usually get hassled. LA is the worst, then San Fran.

 

For sure, any and all of my DVDs and S/W are my personal backup copies <wink, wink>, ::

 

I never ask and never tell...just me, dumb as a box of rocks! ::

[shygye]

cavanami said:

I usually fly into Chicago via Japan, hence, I put I am arriving from Japan...no hassles.

 

 

That does not make any difference. You have to list ALL countries you visited on the Customs form. ::

[Old Hippie]

What happens is, they ask on the form "What countries did you visit prior to arrival in the USA" then it gets into the issue of you saying Japan, they look in the passport, see Cambodia, Thailand whatever, now they have you in a lie...now, what they might have let go, they decide to be pricks about...I just let them find what they will, vaguely answer their questions, and usually no real problems...only recall having them take cuban cigars...which I crumbled in front of them...I can understand the priated software to a very limited point, but cigars? I mean, they are supposed to destroy the stuff, but how? "Burn it"

[liquidflux]

Customs lottery!

 

I've been searched twice when getting home, which for me is SFO. Both times I had numerous DVD's and some software, all in plain view. The agent just passed it all over, searched the rest of the bag and sent me on my way. I always get a laugh at the small talk the agents make with you to try and extract information.

[Alfmaz]

Been to Thailand many times not searched, been to Bail once and got search so that tells you some thing Oz customs

[Bangkoktraveler]

I find going thru customs can be humorous. When they ask me a question, I sometimes have to ask them a few times, very politely, what they said. When I give an answer, it is not what they asked. After a while, they don't want to talk to me.

 

Besides, everything is always open for interpretations.