Whether you are planning a relaxing vacation with your friends or looking forward to attending a destination wedding, you would want to adorn beautiful jewelry pieces.
However, boarding a plane with your jewelry can create a lot of unwanted hassle if you do not know how to carry your valuable ornaments safely on a flight.
When going on a plane, the best place to keep your jewelry is in your hand baggage or carry on luggage. You may also wear your jewelry and pass through security if it is made from less magnetic metals. If the value of the jewelry is over 10,000 Dollars or Euros, it needs to be declared. Having said this, the rules of carrying jewelry vary from different countries and airlines or flyers.
Hence it is the most prudent decision to remain acquainted with all the airport and airline jewelry rules to ensure you stay carefree throughout the move. It is also prudent to understand what goods are banned in certain countries to make your journey with your jewelry safe and hassle-free. Let’s get started.
Is it OK to bring jewelry on a plane?
Yes, it is OK to bring jewelry on a plane. However, the value and amount of jewelry are governing factors in making your check-in and security smooth. You need to understand the correct way to take your jewelry to keep yourself and your jewelry safe. Also, note that the best way to take your jewelry on a plane is to pack them in a jewelry case. To remain extra secure, keep in mind the points below:
- Know rules at source and destination: You must understand the airport rules from your boarding destination to your departure destination. Knowing all the airport and flight boarding rules regarding jewelry carrying, you can keep your ornaments safe, and you never get involved in unnecessary airport checks. This holds true especially when the jewelry you are carrying is precious.
- Keep it in Carry on luggage: Keeping it in your carry on luggage will keep it safe. This is because there is a risk of the jewelry getting stolen from the checked in luggage. In rare cases, the luggage may not even arrive and may get lost. Keeping your jewelry in the carry on luggage ensures it stays safe with you all the time.
- Pack it separately: Pack your jewelry in a jewelry case. This will not only keep all the pieces together, but will also keep your jewelry protected against breaking or bending.
- Be mindful of the weight: The total weight of the bag should not exceed the allowance or the permitted limit.
Can I carry gold jewelry on an international flight?
Yes, you can carry gold or other valuable jewelry items with you on an international flight. Many airport authorities recommend wearing your gold jewelry pieces through the security checkpoints. Pure gold jewelry normally will not raise alarms that will make you go through additional screening. Moreover, to travel safely with your gold jewelry, keep in mind some of the vital tips below:
- Document the gold jewelry you’re taking
While traveling with expensive jewelry, it is crucial to document the jewelry pieces you want to take with you. Also, keeping a record of your jewelry ensures that even if the airport authorities take legal actions against you, you will have proof of ownership.
In addition, carry all the jewelry receipts with you. This will help you disclose the place you bought the jewelry from and actual worth of your ornaments to the officials. This helps you remain guarded against additional screening.
If you are carrying the jewelry for someone else, there should be a written declaration from the individual. In the document the value, purpose and source should be clearly mentioned. It should also have details of the individuals that are sending and receiving the piece. Furthermore, having their ID or Passport details is also imperative.
- Inform airport officials
Inform airport officials of your travel with gold jewelry, ensure that you do so to avoid any unnecessary hassle at the airport. Sometimes the same is also necessary to prove that you carried a certain amount along with you when leaving the country and you brought back the same jewelry with you. Otherwise, the officials may consider it as an import on your return and charge custom fee. Even if there are no customs duties to be paid, it is important to follow any requests for information and to declare your goods correctly and honestly
Also, you must note that while boarding an international flight with your gold jewelry, you must always report to the Customs department if your jewelry’s worth is more than $ 10,000. If you do not have a document or you have not declared your jewelry, it may be confiscated, or you may have to pay a huge fine.
- Never flash your gold jewelry
Another vital piece of advice you must remember when traveling with your gold jewelry is to ensure that you never flash them in front of strangers, either at the airport or any other place. It is because flashing your jewelry will get the attention of thieves, and you might put yourself and your jewelry in danger. In most cases, you may ask the security officers to scan you and your jewelry in private for safety purposes.
- Keep your jewelry insured
Before planning any international travel with your gold jewelry, ensure that you get insurance done. Getting insurance for your valuable gold ornaments will ensure that you remain covered for the entire value of your property in case it gets stolen or damaged on the move.
- Pay customs
Based on the amount you are carrying, you may be required to pay custom duty at your destination country. This is normally required when you are carrying above the allowance. Pay all the required duties to prevent any hassle. In many countries, there is no duty on Gold, but it must be declared.
- Know the purpose
You may be asked the reason for carrying jewelry if you are carrying jewelry over and above your allowance. You need to be calm and be ready with the genuine reason you are carrying your jewelry for.
- Check with your insurance
It is better to check with your insurance once before traveling. What cover can they offer for the jewelry in case of theft or loss in any other manner. This way you may decide in case you would like to get your jewelry insured before you travel.
- Carry proof of purchase
Carrying the proof of ownership, where you bought it from and the price you bought it at can be extremely helpful. If you are unable to prove ownership, you may be charged heavy fine or your jewelry may be confiscated.
Can we carry artificial jewelry on a flight?
Taking artificial ornaments on a plane will never be a problem, so you can readily keep your favorite accessories. However, you must note that some artificial jewelry contains magnetic metals. E.g. bits of iron, nickel and copper, which normally creates a problem when passing through the metal detector. Hence you must avoid wearing it. Rather keep it in your hand luggage and pass it through scanner. Do not keep it in the checked luggage as your jewelry might get damaged or lost.
Also, do not keep it in your pocket, as it may fall off and you may lose it. Also, it may cause the metal detector to beep and may cause unnecessary trouble to you.
Also, if you are traveling to the US, jewelry made in Sudan, Cuba, Iran, Burma (Myanmar) is not allowed.
Adult jewelry having the following is restricted in US by ASTM:
- Antimony
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Lead
- Mercury
- Selenium
- Phthalates
- Nickel
How much jewelry can I carry on a domestic flight?
Wile carrying jewelry on domestic flights is not normally a trouble, it is good to know the allowance. Each country has different limitations and prescribed thresholds regarding how much jewelry you can carry on a domestic flight. Hence it is crucial to remain up-to-date with the airport rules and regulations related to carrying jewelry on a flight to ensure that you steer clear of additional airport screening or confiscation of your precious ornaments. Hence to help you better understand the airport rules for carrying jewelry on a domestic flight, mentioned below is the threshold limit applicable in leading countries globally.
- The United States of America: When boarding a domestic flight in the USA, there is no permissible limit. You can carry as much gold as you want.
- European Union: When traveling within European countries, there is no need to disclose your gold jewelry to officials unless its value exceeds 10,000 euros.
- United Kingdom: You may carry any amount of jewelry under the weight allowance by your carrier. Carrying rough diamonds is not allowed in UK.
- Ireland: No declaration is required if you are traveling within EU under 10,000 EUR. However, if you are carrying gold in form of coins and the total value of cash and the value of gold coins exceeds 10,000 EUR, you need to go through the red channel and declare your goods.
- Australia: There is no prescribed limit to carrying jewelry on a domestic flight in Australia. However, authorities recommend taking only the amount of jewelry that comes in your carry-on bag to keep your valuables safe.
- India: You may carry any amount of jewelry within India as long as it is under the permissible weight limit from the carrier. While this may not be required while traveling on a domestic, make sure you have proof on ownership.
What type of jewelry is not allowed on an airplane?
You can readily carry any jewelry on domestic and international flights. Pointed or sharp objects larger than 6 cm are not allowed. So in case your jewelry has sharp cuts or design, you may not be allowed to carry it.
Just research on what is banned in the destination country. E.g., carrying raw diamonds to UK is illegal. Similarly, jewelry made in Iran, Cuba and Burma is not allowed to be carried into the US. Also you may not be allowed to carry bullions into USA which are not marked by the source.
Also, for your convenience, keep in mind to not wear those big necklaces while passing through the security check-in. It might cause an alarm, and you would face additional scrutiny.
Source: www.gov.uk
The following table lists allowances, limitations or special rules in different countries
| Country | Duty Free Allowance | Value that must be declared | Not allowed | Import Duty | Penalties | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | No limit. However, there is a breathing period of 30 days | 10,000 USD or above | Jewelry made in Sudan, Cuba, Iran, Burma (Myanmar) Bullians or gold coins not marked by the source country | Normally 0-6% | You may be taxed, fined or the jewelry may be confiscated | Commercial imports of diamonds, jewelry, pearls, and precious and semi-precious stones valued at $2,500 or more require a formal entry. If the negotiable goods are valued at over $10,000, then a FinCEN 105 form will need to be filled out. |
| Canada | No limit | All precious metals including Gold need to be declared upon importation | between 0% to 8.5% | Import or export of Gold from Canada need not be reported. This falls under the PCMLTFA or the related regulations. Form E677 (Cross-Border Currency Reporting) does not need to be completed. |
||
| Europe | No limit | 10,000 EUR and above | Declare returned goods at the time of leaving EU | |||
| UK | Value of less than 10,000 GBP | 10,000 GBP or above Declare any and all goods upon arrival if they are: 1. Over the duty-free allowance 2. They are banned or restricted 3. That are planned for sale | Raw diamonds. You need a KP certificate to carry rough diamonds | All the cash you are carrying can be seized by a Border Force officer. You may have to pay a penalty of up to £5,000 to get it back. This can be taken from the cash before the rest is returned. | follow ‘goods to declare’ or ‘red channel’ signs at UK Customs. The same may be declared before arriving. You may also call 0300 322 9434 and make your declaration over the phone. Even if you are travelling in a group and carrying a total value of 10,000 GBP or more, you need to declare. This applies even when Individuals are carrying less value. |
|
| New Zealand | No limit. If you’re bringing in items you intend to take back out with you, you may not have to pay duty on them. | 10,000 USD or above | Ivory in any form, including jewellery, and carvings tortoise or sea turtle shell jewellery, and ornaments Jewelry must not contain bugs, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material | be fined be imprisoned have your item seized. | You may need give a cash deposit to cover GST and duties. The same is returned when you leave NZ | |
| Northern Ireland | 10,000 EUR and above | Significant Fines are normally imposed | Gold coins, bullion or nuggets must be declared. | |||
| India | 20 grams of gold (Males) 40 grams of gold (female) | Declare if you are carrying above allowance | Limit on one entity is 10 Kg of gold | under 1 kg = 12.5% Above 1 kg= 36.05% You need to pay duty on Gold coins/bars | ||
| Australia | AUD 9000 (over 18 years) AUD 450 (under 18) | Over AUD 10,000 | Gold (investment form) of fineness>99.5% silver (in an investment form) of at least 99.9% fineness platinum (in an investment form) of at least 99% fineness Precious metals meeting the minimum fineness when imported are duty and GST free. | You may face penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Declaration needs to be made in Customs Form No 7 | |
| Malaysia | 10,000 USD or above | Any person who contravenes the requirement commits an offence and, on conviction, is liable to a fine not exceeding RM3 million or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. | Not paying customs duty is an offense considered as "Smuggling" and you may be charged | |||
| Singapore | No limit | No duty | No weight limit on the amount of gold and other precious metals that can be transported in and out by traveler | |||
| Thailand | Upto 40,000 Baht | Anything over 40,000 Baht | Loose precious stones | |||
| Japan | 1 Kg | 1 million yen or more Following items in excess of 1 million yen (or their equivalent): *0.1 million JPY in a case that you are bound for North Korea Cash(including foreign currency) Checks Travelers checks Promissory notes Securities Gold bullion (not less than 90% purity) exceeding 1 Kg. | Uncut diamonds | A penalty of 10% of duty shortfall may be enforced | Customs procedure for commercial cargo is applicable if value of dutiable goods is over Three hundred thousand yen (300000 YEN) | |
| China | 1,000 RMB For Export: 5 Qian (15.625 gms) Gold 5 liang (156.25 grams) silver The same amount needs to be brought back For emigrants to foreign countries or to Hong Kong or Macao, the maximum limit of gold and silver to be carried out per person is 1 liang (equivalent to 31.25 grams) for gold ornaments and 10 liang (equivalent to 312.50 grams) for silver ornaments, and 20 liang (equivalent to 625 grams) for silver utensils. | Always declare the kind, amount and weight of the objects The same can be carried out | Normally 9%-13% VAT | Individuals are dealt as smugglers | If you buy gold or silver in China, you need "Special Receipt" to carry or post the same out. These are given by the shop you are buying it from. You cannot carry the goods out without the "Special Receipt" |
HOW TO CARRY JEWELRY
How do you bring jewelry on a plane?
When carrying jewelry on a plane, there are usually two ways you can pack them.
- You can keep your valuable ornaments in your handbag
- or you can also keep them in a safety bag and put it in your checked bags.
However, to safely travel with your precious jewelry, it is advisable to keep them in your hand luggage. Mentioned hereunder are some jewelry packing, storing, and disclosing points to keep in mind while boarding a domestic or international flight.
- Keep it with you: Whether you want to carry genuine or artificial jewelry, it is better to store them in your hand trunk to ensure that it never gets stolen or damaged during the move. also keep the proof of ownership handy.
- Pack it see through packaging: It is advisable to keep them in a separate ornament case to ensure that it does not get tangled with other items in your luggage. Also, if the packaging is see-through, it will make it easier for the airport authorities to have a look at your jewelry without having to open it in some cases.
- Ensure you are carrying within limit: When boarding an international flight, ensure that you carry your gold, platinum, or silver jewelry within the prescribed threshold from your source and destination countries.
- Pay Customs: If your gold exceeds the set limit, it is advisable to disclose this to the Customs and airport security to avoid unnecessary legal issues.
- Fit it into your handbag! It would be amazing if you could just fit your jewelry in a small handbag. This is because in some cases, the airline crew may ask you to check in the carry on luggage. If you find yourself in such a situation, it would be best if you were able to fit in all your jewelry in your handbag and keep it safe.
Where should you keep jewelry on a plane?
You must always keep your jewelry in your handbag and not in your checked luggage. You can then store this bag in the under seat space in the aircraft. This way it will always be in your sight. Thus, keeping it safe.
The reason we emphasize storing your jewelry in your carry-on bag is it remains more secure. If you keep your jewelry in a checked bag, it might get stolen or damaged, and you will not remain eligible to seek compensation from the airlines.
Can you put jewelry in your checked luggage?
There is no problem in putting your jewelry in your checked baggage, but you must understand the right way to store them in the trunks.
Also, if you do not want to carry your jewelry in your purse or carry-on bag, you can keep them in a sealed safety bag and put them in your suitcase. This way, you can keep your jewelry from getting stolen or damaged during the onboarding process. However, it is better not to put your jewelry in checked luggage for extra precautions.
Source: tsa.gov
Does jewelry need to be removed by the TSA?
There is no such rule that you must remove your jewelry for TSA (Transportation Security Administration) inspection as security metal detectors only raise the alarm for harmful objects and not jewelry items.
Instead, TSA recommends wearing your jewelry while moving through the security check-ins so that the airport authority remains aware of them.
However, if you want to take those big necklaces, put them in your handbag. This also applies to jewelry made from magnetic metals or you might undergo a pat-down inspection.
The bottom line
While boarding a flight with your jewelry, do not forget to take a bill that proves that the jewelry belongs to you or any other proof since you might face a situation in rare cases. It is always better to remain safe than sorry. Just keep in the points above, and you will be good to go. Gold coins and bullions are considered tradable and must always be declared.
Happy journey!
