I need to fly to Europe for work and carry with me a 4-5 lt container with a liquid chemical additive. It is not toxic or flammable. Can I check it in? I called up two airlines and they had no idea. One girl told me there is no restriction for check-in, only for carry-ons. So what if I m carrying acid, or nitroglycerin, I asked? She then admitted she has no idea. Perhaps I should get a certificate that it s a safe material? Where from? Can anyone help?

I know, I ve had bottles of whiskey or wine and many of them too. But this will look suspicious so I m quite worried. On one hand, if you pack it and check it in on its own it's more suspicious but you will only lose that. If you put in a bigger suitcase, it might stand a better chance of going through, but if not, you lose other stuff too...

You'll have a big chance of having your luggage checked and taken of the belt probably.

To you its non toxic and unflammable, but they simply don't care what you say it is, its an unknown chemical liquid in a suspicous container and that will raise flags.

What is it exactly?

Maybe you can drink it and pee it out when you arrive

I think airlines would be most concerned about spillage and contamination with other baggage. They have special boxes/containers to put some of these things in. I would think the check-in staff at the airport would be the best folk to speak to as they are at the front line.......so to speak.

I am also interested to know what the chemical is. Please, do tell:-)

Adrienne

Shanghai Properties - Expat Agents Speak YOUR Language
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

I m afraid it's just a boring sample of a plastics production additive heading for analysis at the lab

Hmmm. Doesn't sound very exciting at all. I'd say no one at the airport would be very concerned about it.

If you are still concerned then maybe you could put it in some shampoo bottles.

Adrienne

Shanghai Properties - Expat Agents Speak YOUR Language
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

Marakanis wrote:Just a guess, but I'm thinking a plastics production additive wouldn't do well in a plastic bottle. =P
Perhaps metal thermostats?

Ahhhh. Hmmmm. Yes, you are right Marakanis. Might do some serious contanimation then wouldn't it.

You can see how poorly I did in Science.


Adrienne

Shanghai Properties - Expat Agents Speak YOUR Language
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

You will definitely need to get a piece a paper from some officially and I guess you need to seek guidance from Customs and Excise.

You won't blow up the plane ???

Try saying that to an official at a US airport, then see what happens - you can enjoy warm Guantanamo weather for the rest of your life!

if it is a safe and simple chemical then it will be no problem to ship it FedEx with the right paperwork, there is no 'need' to carry it on the plane.

Remember that your boring additive may not do too well at altitude, and I'm not sure I'd like it seeping into my luggage if your plastic bottle decides to leak.

Shi Da Ru wrote:I m afraid it's just a boring sample of a plastics production additive heading for analysis at the lab

5 litres seems an awful lot for a sample for analysis

CoffeeHawk_0 wrote:if it is a safe and simple chemical then it will be no problem to ship it FedEx with the right paperwork, there is no 'need' to carry it on the plane.

Yeah, always good to be far away from the package just in case she blows prematurely ..

I would contact Chinese customs for both mailing it out and checking it in on the plane. Both will need some kind of clearance, and they have very long lists precisely for dealing with this kind of stuff.

It may take a trip out to Hongqiao Airport Customs, in person, with heated discussion in persuasive Shanghainese, to sort out in <2 hours.

As others have stated, courier it over with Fedex to be on the safe side.

No any courier company will accept liquid shipment (as well as batteries, tobacco, chemicals etc...)

Try and report back

And liquids in the plane ? specially additives for plastic ?
Even if you pass the customs, you might very well blow the plane, or at least force it in emergency landing.
Few years back, there was a stupid guy like you in Hualien airport (east Taiwan) who nearly blew off the plane with a 4 liters container of solvent....

Package was checked in and arrived at destination without any problem. Small bottles neatly packed in a carton box. No one asked what it was. When i picked it up from the belt, it had a small hole punched on the side and a sticker that certified it had passed security check. Mr T thanks for assuming i m stupid, but as i said before the stuff was not dangerous in any way