Can I carry my Amazon Packed Receiver in my Check-in Luggage?

[jeetg]

Hi Experts,

Im planning to pick up Onkyo TX nr 515 from US during my next week visit, As Im not carrying a huge suitcase, will it be safe if I check in the Amazon box in my check luggage as fragile??

An suggestions???

Thank you,

Jeetg

 

[jaudere]

Please don't cry. Experts will help you

 

[jeetg]

Hahah oops.. typoo.. mistake

 

[koushikp]

Hi Experts,

Im planning to pick up Onkyo TX nr 515 from US during my next week visit, As Im not carrying a huge suitcase, will it be safe if I check in the Amazon box in my check luggage as fragile??

An suggestions???

Thank you,

Jeetg

better not do it. simple buy another suitcase and put it inside, and still mark it as fragile. No matter what you do airport security will open it and check after you check it in, but its okay...that's not like India, ur stuff will be safe

 

[freedom]

Usually the packing is very very good and made so that it can handle flights. If its possible to hand carry inside, best as then you know its with you. If you are checking in, buy a sturdy suitcase, out ample clothes around it and put in check-in.

 

[kaushik]

boys dont cry

 

[andy78]

Jeet, It's ok. Please don't cry

 

[GeorgeO]

You can, but a couple of thoughts-first of all cartons dont have wheels, bags with wheels might have a lesser chance of bring thrown around by the baggage handlers. Second if you can check in a second suitcase, putting the carton inside it will give your better protection.

 

[Rgn1]

My friend's brother carried a used PS3 in his check in luggage from USA on Emirates via Dubai. It was the usual American Tourister soft Baggage. The baggage was lost in transit, and was traced after a few days. It was ripped open and the PS3 stolen. The Arline flatly refused to compensate for the PS3 as they claimed it was not allowed to be carried or some such similar reason. So please do check the fine print of what can be carried/not carried or what has to be declare beforehand that it is going to be carried in the check - in luggage.

 

[pkr]

I recently brought my Denon receiver from US. I kept the original packing, added pieces of tube like floaties ($1 or 2 in walmart) to the sides, top and bottom and checked it in.

I have seen how they throw the bags in Indian airports (even after they are marked Fragile). Hence as Freedom mentioned, please put it in another suitcase and pack with clothes all around.

The main issue about lost baggage is... if you did not declare the value of the item, you are entitled only for standard loss, which is usually far lesser than the receiver.

I took a risk and checked it in(Emirates). Fortunately, there was no issue and I received it in tact in Kochi.

 

[reubensm]

I have carried 2 turntables by hand from the United States to India on 2 different occasions. First instance was by Air India (I had about 40 LPs with me as well) and second instance was by Emirates. Had my laptop bag as well.

American airports do a baggage size check for hand luggage. If your luggage exceeds this size, you'll have to check it in. If you are carrying a receiver in its original packaging, your likely to fail this test and you'll have to check your luggage in. When checking in luggage, ensure that you use the original box (so that people know whats in it) and stick a large and clear label on the box, displaying your name (or some sidey will coolly pick it up on the conveyor on arrival, and say its his). Airlines are generally careful with electronics checked in. Some airlines follow the 1+1 rule which is, 1 checked in luggage stroller and 1 hand luggage bag. If this is the case, the airline may charge you a fee. Also keep a tab on the weight. There is a cap for checked in luggage and hand luggage. Hope this helps.

 

[andy78]

Can some mod please change the title for this?

 

[rud3dawg]

I see Andy cannot bear to see Jeetg cry about luggage...Although If there is an instance where you lose such valuables without claim you would surely cry in the inside !!

 

[jeetg]

Re: Can I carry.. my Amazon Packed Receiver in my Check-in Luggage?

thank you all for the suggestions...

@ Andy...thnx for your concern heheheh.. I guess now the reply posts should show correct title

 

[asliarun]

The trick to avoiding damage to fragile items such as electronics is to stuff it as tightly as possible so that it will not move inside the suitcase. Amazon's packaging quality is decent but not stellar - they pad the box internally with paper and bubblewrap but I don't think it is good enough to survive the aggressive handling of baggage handlers. You can better protect your amp by replacing the paper they use to stuff internally with clothes. Stuff it as tight as you can. If I were you, I would put the cardboard box inside a big suitcase and again stuff the suitcase with clothes as tightly as I can. You can replace clothes with something else of course (like paper or bubblewrap or thermocoal), but it doesn't have to be necessarily cushiony, it should be stuffed as tight as possible. Using clothes is a more efficient use of space and weight though.

If you notice the good relocation or movers/packers, this is exactly what they do. I also did an international move and for what it is worth, this technique worked for me.

 

[rjstyles]

Go to Sears/Walmart/Marshals and shell out 30$'s for a decent quality Nautica or AT bag. These brands are usually on sale at these places. They are pretty sturdy and will easily last your trip back to India, in the worst case baggage handling scenario.

Put the box into the bag and pack it with clothes as tight as you can. I carried 2 sets of compos and a monobloc amp during my last trip the same way back to India. The NAUTICA bag lasted the plunder and abuse at both the airports. No signs of the bag giving up easily for another 3/4 trips.

 

[haisaikat]

@jeetg: If your airline is not charging you for the additional piece then packing in suitcase method is good as this was you are avoiding customs charge since it is within 25K INR limit. But this being a US version must be 120V piece so remember that you have to buy step down transformer in India unless you already have it. However if airline is charging then compare the charges with any international shipper for shipping + customs.

 

[avink]

@pkr - did u pay any custom on it...since you checked in the original packing.

 

[GeorgeO]

25K? Hell it's now 35K! Another way to provide additional protection for such gear is to get large flexible plastic "air bags" which don't weigh anything and place them all around. This is not bubble wrap but is packing material designed to protect fragile stuff.

 

[sreenest12]

Hi Jeet,
I feel, if you have a suitable check in case where you can carry the receiver with original packing then nothing like it. It should withstand the abuses in the airports.
From my experience, I had carried an Onkyo receiver ( TX SA 505 ) from Japan. Since the package was big, I did the following ( as was stated in an earlier thread too )

1: Got a hard suit case sufficient to put this into.
2: Got loads of bubble wraps.
3: The receiver had thermocol on the sides. So bubble-wrapped it with the thermocol and filled the space inbetween using styrofoam balls.
4: The speakers were wrapped only with bubble wrap.
5: I kept books close to the sides of the suitcase and filled the space between receiver and books with sponge which was available from the 100 yen shops there.
6: The total weight of the suit case didnt exceed 22 kg ( which was the norm i think )
7: Double checked both the suit case for package tightness.

Hope this helps.