Cautionary anecdote: Traveler bringing vape though

[Chemical Bromance]

This topic has come up few times and I've even gotten PMs on this. And I'm going state outright, that I am in NO WAY advocating sneaking anything in and I am NOT teaching someone how to get around the law. Never have, never will.
vaping is illegal here and you deal with it however you see fit and at your own risk, regarding usage and supplies. In other words, you're on your own.
What I'm sharing is what someone, a foreigner I met tonight at a party, told me he experienced coming in through the airport; I thought it's of interest because it isn't fully what I expected.

This guy was unaware of the laws here and had flown in from the US. He carried a few bottles of juice, a mod and a brand new tank in his checked-in luggage. Our boys in blue found everything during a routine scan.
They proceeded to have him remove the tank from it's new box. And they made him destroy it: He was asked to put it underfoot, step on it to crush and break the glass. Then they threw it away in front of him.
They didn't take the box, the juices or the mod; there was no confiscation.

Caveat: Bear in mind he is a tourist and only here for a few days. Being resident here, we may encounter very different practices if in the same situation. You make your own conclusions.

Our boys in blue are doing their jobs well and doing their duty; they deserve our respect especially in times like these with all the security threats going on in the world around us. Please don't turn this into a thread full of whining and complaints with bashing of the rules and regulations.

If you've got similar anecdotes to share, please post below.

 

[nuvole]

I was once asked to have my luggage passing thru x-ray.
I've three flashlight in it, and they have get me to open up my luggage to physically look at it.
I can guess what they are looking for.

 

[Zipslack]

Okay, good warning, but it would be more useful if you identified WHICH COUNTRY this happened in.

 

[Chemical Bromance]

Okay, good warning, but it would be more useful if you identified WHICH COUNTRY this happened in.

[emoji6]
*pssst* look at the top of the page. This is the SG Vape sub-group.
[emoji6]

But seriously, I think we all need to be aware of the laws of the land, so to speak, and be clear of the risks we take with our gear when we travel. Just a bit of time on Google will kick up lots of resources.
Sent from the road using Tapatalk.

 

[Chemical Bromance]

I was once asked to have my luggage passing thru x-ray.
I've three flashlight in it, and they have get me to open up my luggage to physically look at it.
I can guess what they are looking for.

Yeah, this has happened to me too.
I travel with tactical lights and more than once I've had security waiting for me at the belt to escort me to a scan. I thought they were looking for high-powered lasers because once or twice they made me turn them on and run through the power modes. And even though I may have 2 or 3 with me in different sizes, they almost always zoomed in on one model.

And, if I may offer one piece of advice, ALWAYS BE POLITE AND PLEASANT. I always smile, and am prepared to not argue: our boys in blue (BiB) don't know me from Adam and they're just doing their job. Have documentation ready for items that might raise a warning but you're certified to posses. And if they want to confiscate or destroy something, but it's not personal, they're just doing their job.

Sent from the road using Tapatalk.

 

[Snoogans]

Just my two cents....never underestimate the power of politeness and respect in these situations. As stated above, these gents are doing their job. They dont make the laws, they just enforce them. They are doing what they are paid to do and to expect otherwise would be misguided. Be smart, be prepared, be discreet and vape on!

 

[Cumulo Vapus]

This guy was unaware of the laws here and had flown in from the US. He carried a few bottles of juice, a mod and a brand new tank in his checked-in luggage.

I can see at least 3 fundamental mistakes made right there.

 

[Snoogans]

just met up with a friend who passed through after a week in Singers. Definitely advises never to pack into checked baggage. As he was just passing through for a few days, he carried his mod on his person. During security check in Narita (en route to SG), he was asked what his device was as it had no markings. He was polite and honest. Even pointed out the 30 ml juice was for the device in question. Passed through without a hitch. Upon leaving Singers, almost the exact same story. Never hurts to smile and act with confidence. Just sayin...