Traveling with new Mac from US

Joe456 · 17th October 2008, 01:03

im heading over to U.S. in November. I'm looking into getting a macbook pro while im there. Has anyone travelled back with a new Mac from the States? Do you carry it back with its box? or place it in a sleeve? how does it go through with TSA security checkpoints? do they actually open and check your laptops? answers would be helpful thanks.

Magnus · 17th October 2008, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe456

im heading over to U.S. in November. I'm looking into getting a macbook pro while im there. Has anyone travelled back with a new Mac from the States? Do you carry it back with its box? or place it in a sleeve? how does it go through with TSA security checkpoints? do they actually open and check your laptops? answers would be helpful thanks.

I'd suggest carrying it back without the box, just as if it's your normal notebook (Apple's portables are not laptops, according to Apple) that you didn't just buy. At any security check you'll very likely have to take the notebook out and perhaps even turn it on. A reason for not taking it back in the box is that you won't have to pay import duty when you return to UAE.

drsandy · 17th October 2008, 20:11

Magnus, do we have to pay import duty when have it shipped from the US with the help of Aramex? It's something i'm considering for all my tech needs

MacUAE · 17th October 2008, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsandy

Magnus, do we have to pay import duty when have it shipped from the US with the help of Aramex? It's something i'm considering for all my tech needs

I use Aramex quite often... yes they usually charge import duties (I think 5%) on most if not all electronics... If I am not mistaken... anything over 1000 dirhams. I remember I was charged on an iPod I bought and also the AppleTV (all from Amazon). All other shipments just carry the nominal charge per weight as usual.

Joe456 · 18th October 2008, 01:02

So does the online Apple Store accept the NBAD Surfer Card with the Aramex address if i was going to buy a new macbook? Has anyone tried that?

badr91 · 18th October 2008, 05:40

i think your credit card has to be issued in the USA.. but i read on macrumors.com that the delivery date for the new macbooks and macbook pros are in november..

Magnus · 18th October 2008, 07:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsandy

Magnus, do we have to pay import duty when have it shipped from the US with the help of Aramex? It's something i'm considering for all my tech needs

In my experience MacUAE is right, most small things I buy go through without being charged duty. It sems like anything expensive (and large boxes too) are charged. Buying from Apple.com store is tricky and different people report different things. Seems you might be okay with UAE credit card if you put an Aramex shop and ship address as billing address. You may have to call your credit card company and add that address to it. If you know someone in the US you can deliver to them as a gift, at least that's what some say works.

Superglue · 18th October 2008, 08:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnus

I'd suggest carrying it back without the box, just as if it's your normal notebook (Apple's portables are not laptops, according to Apple) that you didn't just buy. At any security check you'll very likely have to take the notebook out and perhaps even turn it on. A reason for not taking it back in the box is that you won't have to pay import duty when you return to UAE.

Yeah as Magnus has suggested it would be better to carry without the box in your cabin luggage.(But don 't throw away the lovely box - just throw the empty box in your check-in luggage). At the most, TSA could request you to power it on and show; so it would be a good idea to ensure the Notebook is fully charged before you leave for the airport. Even better, if you carry power adapter & stuff together with the Notebook in the same cabin bag, just in case, if there isn't enough battery power left to power it up & show to TSA guys.

hanzo · 19th October 2008, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by badr91

i think your credit card has to be issued in the USA.. but i read on macrumors.com that the delivery date for the new macbooks and macbook pros are in november..

Delivery date where? Here in the UAE?

If in the US, I certainly hope not, I have a Macbook sitting in my Aramex box in NY

Magnus · 19th October 2008, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by badr91

i think your credit card has to be issued in the USA.. but i read on macrumors.com that the delivery date for the new macbooks and macbook pros are in november..

Our new MB and MBP are tonight in Memphis, TN, on their way to be delivered in the US, then they'll be FedExed to us in Dubai.

17th October 2008, 01:03	#1 (permalink)
Joe456 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 12	Traveling with new Mac from US im heading over to U.S. in November. I'm looking into getting a macbook pro while im there. Has anyone travelled back with a new Mac from the States? Do you carry it back with its box? or place it in a sleeve? how does it go through with TSA security checkpoints? do they actually open and check your laptops? answers would be helpful thanks.

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17th October 2008, 20:11	#3 (permalink)
drsandy Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 55	Magnus, do we have to pay import duty when have it shipped from the US with the help of Aramex? It's something i'm considering for all my tech needs

18th October 2008, 01:02	#5 (permalink)
Joe456 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 12	So does the online Apple Store accept the NBAD Surfer Card with the Aramex address if i was going to buy a new macbook? Has anyone tried that?

18th October 2008, 05:40	#6 (permalink)
badr91 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 9	i think your credit card has to be issued in the USA.. but i read on macrumors.com that the delivery date for the new macbooks and macbook pros are in november..