Read This Before You Fly With Wrapped Gifts

[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnCarol Yepes via Getty ImagesFun fact: Snow globes count as a liquid. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to alter their Christmas plans, holiday travel still appears to be in full swing. In the past four days alone, the Transportation Security Administration has screened more than 2 million passengers daily at airport security checkpoints ― nearly double the number seen on those days a year ago.Flying during the holidays can come with logistical challenges, especially when gifts are involved. For some people, it’s hard to find the space in their suitcases for all the presents they bought for loved ones. Others might be concerned about packing them securely to avoid damage or other mishaps. Advertisement

And, of course, there are those who like to plan ahead by wrapping their gifts before packing them in their bags. But is it OK to fly with wrapped presents? We asked a couple of travel experts to share their advice.What To Know About Taking Wrapped Gifts On Flights“Be sure to follow TSA guidelines when packing,” said Cheryl Nelson, a travel preparedness expert and founder of Prepare with Cher. “While there aren’t specific gift wrapping restrictions, there is a chance your perfectly wrapped present with the curled bow could be unwrapped by a TSA agent if your luggage is flagged for safety inspection.”Although there aren’t explicit rules that forbid it, TSA advises against wrapping your gifts before packing them in your suitcase since there’s a chance this could get undone in the security screening process. This guidance applies to both checked and carry-on luggage.“Whether a wrapped gift is in a carry-on bag or checked luggage, if your luggage is flagged at TSA, your gift will be unwrapped,” Nelson said. “This could cause delays for you getting through TSA security and delay your checked luggage from making it on time for your scheduled flight departure.”Advertisement

We recommend that you wait until you arrive at your destination to wrap gifts. Gifts may need to be unwrapped for add’l inspection. This applies to both carry-on and checked bags. Safe travels!— AskTSA (@AskTSA) December 15, 2021What To Do InsteadUnderstandably, you might not want to risk getting delayed or having your beautiful wrapping paper get torn up. But there are ways to be prepared without having everything fully gift-wrapped.“You can keep your gifts in a gift bag or a box, but you’ll want to make sure that they can be easily opened by TSA agents if they need to be inspected,” said Lindsay Schwimer, a consumer travel expert with the trip-booking app Hopper.Nelson offered some other suggestions for flying with presents as well.“An easy alternative is to pack a gift bag and tissue paper and properly place your gift in the gift bag once you reach your destination,” she said. “If you really want to wrap your gift, pack some wrapping paper and tape, and save the gift-wrapping for your destination.”If you feel strongly about fully wrapping your gift prior to air travel, you might also consider sending it separately to your destination via mail instead. Advertisement

Other Things To Keep In MindAs you prepare for your holiday flights, remember that everything you pack in your bag is subject to TSA regulations, including gifts. So if you got someone a set of nice hand lotions, make sure they’r …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]