Travelling with extra baggage on visits prior to relocation

[Sarah G 174]

So I'm wondering... I don't have a huge amount of stuff to ship to the US but I know it will be cheaper for me to pay for extra baggage on the visits I make to the US between now and when I go there for good. 

 

If I have enough proof of ties to the UK, and my NOA1 to show to the CBP agent, will they be unhappy if I am carrying belongings I intend to leave in the US when I return from my visits? 

 

Advice always appreciated! 

[geowrian 22,337]

It may be fine. They may heavily scrutinize and/or deny entry. It’s completely at the officer’s discretion. One officer may be fine with it while another may think you are trying to skip the line and adjust status in the US instead.

 

IMO you would probably be fine since you can (presumably) use an ESTA. But there is an increased risk of being turned away also.

[payxibka 10,045]

8 minutes ago, Sarah G said:

So I'm wondering... I don't have a huge amount of stuff to ship to the US but I know it will be cheaper for me to pay for extra baggage on the visits I make to the US between now and when I go there for good. 

 

If I have enough proof of ties to the UK, and my NOA1 to show to the CBP agent, will they be unhappy if I am carrying belongings I intend to leave in the US when I return from my visits? 

 

Advice always appreciated! 

Cbp (passport control) does not see your baggage if traveling in by air.

Edited January 16, 2019 by payxibka

[LukeU 413]

23 minutes ago, Sarah G said:

So I'm wondering... I don't have a huge amount of stuff to ship to the US but I know it will be cheaper for me to pay for extra baggage on the visits I make to the US between now and when I go there for good. 

 

If I have enough proof of ties to the UK, and my NOA1 to show to the CBP agent, will they be unhappy if I am carrying belongings I intend to leave in the US when I return from my visits? 

 

Advice always appreciated! 

I also started doing this (somewhat) unintentionally by flying with normal amount of clothes for a trip and just returning with next to nothing and have roughly looked on my most recent return and can probably move now with x2 full size suit cases and a carry on. We'll pick my other stuff up on a future visit after we receive my travel card.

 

It is worth noting the CBP agent does not see your baggage, you may get pulled a side and your bags searched just out of a random selection after you're through but nothing to do with your trip just security checks.

*edit* Turns out it is also worth nothing that I can't read because @payxibka has also told you this bit! 

Edited January 16, 2019 by LukeU

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

Right, for the vast majority of "stuff" it probably won't be a problem: clothing, personal items, ... It's when you start bringing stuff that no normal visitor would bring and it's so noticeable that they may start to question.

[geowrian 22,337]

Good points raised on CBP not seeing your baggage. I do think they can see the number of bags, though...but I’ll defer to others.

[thatguyuknow 147]

50 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Cbp (passport control) does not see your baggage if traveling in by air.

15 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Good points raised on CBP not seeing your baggage. I do think they can see the number of bags, though...but I’ll defer to others.

 

The do if you go through a US Preclearance POE

Edited January 16, 2019 by thatguyuknow

[Sarah G 174]

I've been questioned at secondary twice and expect this trend to continue. On previous trips this has happened before collecting my bag but I guess they always have the right to have me collect them so they can look. 

 

I think I'll be selective about what I take, to be on the safe side. I'm just trying to find ways to save a little money in this hellishly expensive process 😂

 

Thank you all for your thoughts, much appreciated. 

[payxibka 10,045]

40 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Good points raised on CBP not seeing your baggage. I do think they can see the number of bags, though...but I’ll defer to others.

If so, I think I'd question if a woman was traveling with less than two bags.  😂

[Sarah G 174]

1 minute ago, payxibka said:

If so, I think I'd question if a woman was traveling with less than two bags.  😂

Hey now... 😂😂😂 So far I've only ever taken one! Plus a carry on... Plus a personal item. 😇

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, Sarah G said:

Hey now... 😂😂😂 So far I've only ever taken one! Plus a carry on... Plus a personal item. 😇

And you have been pulled into secondary twice.  I rest my case your honor.  😂

[Sarah G 174]

Just now, payxibka said:

And you have been pulled into secondary twice.  I rest my case your honor.  😂

Bahahaha. Dang, if only I had known! 

[geowrian 22,337]

6 minutes ago, payxibka said:

If so, I think I'd question if a woman was traveling with less than two bags.  😂

Not as bad as the scrutiny security gave me when I traveled from Asia to the northeast US during mid-winter with no carry-on or personal bag, shorts (no coat), and shorts. Got the SSSS notation on my boarding pass (and full explosives test strips on all clothes) that time.

[Sarah G 174]

2 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Not as bad as the scrutiny security gave me when I traveled from Asia to the northeast US during mid-winter with no carry-on or personal bag, shorts (no coat), and shorts. Got the SSSS notation on my boarding pass (and full explosives test strips on all clothes) that time.

The VIP treatment!! Wearing two pairs of shorts is a little unusual though so I can't blame them 🤣

Edited January 16, 2019 by Sarah G

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, Sarah G said:

The VIP treatment!! Wearing two pairs of shorts is a little unusual though so I can't blame them 🤣

I was trying to come up with something witty when I read that but you beat me to it