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Luggage..swapping contents..customs..taxes...legal?

Hello everyone

I've got a question that I wasn't able to find an answer to in previous archives. Maybe it is something that is sooooo obvious to everyone that no one felt the need to ask about it...

I have the opportunity to visit Colombia this summer. I am thinking I'll want one carry on bag for the plane, and two other pieces of luggage for check in. Also I was thinking, since I really don't require a lot, one piece of luggage would probably be sufficient for my clothes and other things.

So, with that said.. can I do this (please forgive my ignorance)? Pack the second piece of luggage with stuff like, chocolate, T-shirts, apple butter, and other small things from where I live. Then, after I give those small things to various folks during my time down there as small gifts, pack the same suitcase again. But this time I'd pack it with things from colombia.. like coffee, maybe a jacket or a had, a blanket or other local things.

What happens at customs in this scenario? Is there a problem bringing US things in and Colombian things out like that? Do I get taxed on the goods I bring in or on the goods I take out? Is this legal?

Again, maybe this is too obvious for words. But I would appreciate some advice.

Thanks,
Aaron

By aaronfromus on May 27, 2005, 10:08 in Friendly Talkzone.

kernow62 says on May 27, 2005, 10:13:

I have always done that, not only to Colombia but elsewhere and have never paid duty or anything. I think you'll have no troubles.

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adrimm says on May 27, 2005, 14:52:

Ditto Kernow Yep, XCEPT you may want to pack the gifts (as many as possible) in your carry-on.

We've had the unfortunate experience of things vanishing out of checked luggage (going both ways). Not too sure where it happens along the way since our trips involve 2-3 transfers each way.

Grumble: Gets pretty difficult to pack it all tho since there are so many people on both sides who we want to take things for and/or expect a small something, and the drawing lines tends to offend. Wish the family would stop growing! (oh and then they wonder why we bring so few clothes)

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2retirensa says on May 27, 2005, 17:19:

Always take anything of real value or electronics (cameras, lap top, flash trax, palm pilot, etc.) in your carry on, and lock it just incase you need to check it at the last minute or they don't have room and stow it at the last minute (as happened to me on one leg of a 3 leg flight).{notice long run-on sentence- very colombiana no?}.

Also, be careful with the weight- things like apple butter can rack up the lbs. quickly. When checking luggage, if you are over weight, they will give you time to take things out of your luggage and put them in your carry on or....(I've seen people just throw things away because it wasn't worth the overweight charge).
Maureen

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lpdiver says on Jun 6, 2005, 16:02:

I always pay the five bucks TO have the luggage wrapped with that giant saran wrap and never have had anything stolen and it seems to speed things along with customs.
t

"cook some rice!"

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