OOT Travel Troubles???

[LAUREN1980]

For all those brides that have already taken all the goods to Mexico - Did you ever have any problems with customs?

I am having nightmares that everything will be confiscated when I get that red light!

Any advice on what I should prep my family (who will be bringing bags for us) to say - if they are stopped

[LadyP]

A bride just cameback and she said that she didnt have trouble but to bring your receipts just incase they asked her alot of questions

 

 

"OOT Bags:

Totes purchased from Cheaptotes.com Contents collected over time from various retailers like Wal-Mart, Target, and DollarTree. I did iron-on transfers of our logo. Really easy and I loved the personalized touch. Dreams' front desk distributed at check in without any know charges. We did 40 bags, max value was ave. $8 per bag. Contents: floaties (not necessary since plent were avail. at Dreams), sippee cups ( not many were used since A-I, we used on our HM), orange beach towels ( given to older guests and they loved them), pashminas (by far the biggest hit of the bag)... Thanks Glenda. Also plastic shot glass ( should've upgraded to personalized glass).

Suntan lotion somewhat used Dreams gives SPF15 standard, cards, and snacks. Concierge had maps and booklets to take!

 

Would totally do it again! It was just a hassle bringing it all down. Customs asked the value and were surprised whe we said $150. keep low cost price tags on merchandise and bring a few receipts if you can.

[LCBride2007]

we hit the red light, and customs asked us a few questions - especially since we had a large, brown box w/most of our OOT goodies. we just said the truth - they were decorations and gifts for our wedding. they just let us go.

[CourtneyV]

Ya, I have a feeling they hear that a lot; a bride bringing decorations for the wedding. Honestly, I think if you try to conceal it, or squirm your way out of it, it looks suspicious. If you just explain honestly, I'm sure they'd understand. It's not a bad idea to bring the receipts with you though. That Jenetta's one smart gal!

[JPMO]

Lauren I was worried just as you were. I had two large 55gal clear plastic totes. I had to take my chances since it was never going to fit in luggage. When the agents saw our luggage we never hit the light we were automatically checked. Everything was fine... I suspect because it's wedding season and I was carrying my dress. The agent actually advised that I bring receipts next time but it was fine.

 

As Ann suggested just be honest and upfront when asked. Things will be fine. Also place the cheap stuff on top and if you are packing more than one bag try to pack so that they look alike. The agents we encountered appeared to not really "feel" like looking through everything.

[LCBride2007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPMO As Ann suggested just be honest and upfront when asked. Things will be fine. Also place the cheap stuff on top and if you are packing more than one bag try to pack so that they look alike. The agents we encountered appeared to not really "feel" like looking through everything.

yea, they started off looking through one of our large suitcases. as we were explaining it was our wedding (they saw the dress) the one girl there just waived us on, didn't even want to see the rest of our stuff. just be an excited happy bride - they won't care! then again, if you get someone on a bad day, it may not matter what you say or do if they want to cause you trouble. odds are though, you'll be just fine.

[RaydensMama]

Im sure they hear the wedding stuff all the time. Just be honest about it and tell you guests to inform customs that they are bringing stuff for a family wedding.

[LAUREN1980]

Thanks girls for all your feed back! I definalty feel betteer about this now!!!

[Jessalyn]

they automatically searched my boxes too. They pulled out a cell phone and started calculating my receipts. My advice is to split up the goods between a few people and give them some receipts ...try not to have the receipts total more than $300 just to be safe. I didn't have receipts for everything, but I was fine. My dad had 2 boxes and I had 1 plus a large duffle. My brother had another large duffle. Everything made it through except the freeze dried rose petals....apparently, you can't bring them into the country.

 

All three of us, my dad, my brother and myself had our bags searched without even pressing a button. It happend automatically after they x-rayed the bags.