Overseas iMac and customs

No one can guess what the duties will be like in December.
http://www.ilugger.com/ provides a convenient way of carrying iMacs in checked in luggage.
International customs should be checked both on your arrival and return.
Apple's increase in cost overseas may also have to deal with the differences in taxing of the overseas markets, as well as any incurred delivery fees based on who the carriers are. Since none of us here actually work with Apple marketing, we can't say for certain where these apply and not. Best to check with the various immigration government websites, and tourist information websites for the duty rules. Someone on a temporary visit may only be charged something quite different than someone who is staying permanently. If selling your machine to someone overseas other rules may apply too. If choosing to give your mac to anyone else, be sure to follow these tips*:

http://www.macmaps.com/selling.html

- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

I have gone back and forth between the US and Mexico many times with an iMac, as well as the Caribbean and South America, and it is treated as a personal computer, like a laptop. I have never been questioned by any country or asked to pay import fees.

I use an iLugger for my 17" '06 iMac Core Duo. I have not had problems with it as carry-on luggage on trains, buses or planes. The small size has allowed it to fit in overhead storage for all of the above forms of transport without question. However, the current 20" may be another matter on airliners, definitely not the 24".

The iLugger is not suitable as checked luggage. And the manufacturer plainly states that it is not and discourages use of it as checked luggage. I also would not trust an iMac in the original Apple shipping box in the luggage hold of an airplane. An airline baggage handler and a package express courier are two different breeds of being. There is no telling how many times an iMac could be drop kicked between your home and your destination on an airline!

I would trust an iMac to no less than a hardshell case for checked baggage on an airline, a railway line or a busline.

Dah•veed

16 SEP 1810 The Cry for Freedom - ¡Viva México! ¡Viva Independencia! ¡Viva Libertad!

Woah, that's crazy, and where do they expect you to put your iLugger, unless you travel first class?

I believe that that would be Whoa. What is crazy? Do you have experience using an iLugger. I have used mine since the day I received both the iLugger and the iMac in JAN 2006.

The iLugger was only designed to carry an iMac, not for a specific application of where you carry it, such as an airliner. It definitely was not designed to be checked baggage.

From the manufacturer's FAQ

Are any of the iLugger cases compatible for airline carry-on?
Due to the constant changes in the requirements and dimensions that different airlines allow, we would ask that you please contact the airline you are planning to use to determine if our bags will qualify as carry-on luggage. We do not recommend that you check the iLugger bag as it is not meant for the rough handling that checked luggage receives.

My 17" iMac in the iLugger has fit in the overhead bin in my economy seat on AeroMexico, American Airlines and COPA Airlines.

Dah•veed

Thanks. When I looked at the metal crate in front of the ticket counter at the airport, I hardly believed a case for an iMac G5 could fit in there, let alone any of the bigger Intel iMacs. I guess I was wrong.

I usually fly on 737-300 and 737-700 of Southwest Airlines, and sometimes some Canada Regional Jets to many of the places I go.

Message was edited by: a brody

I have seen those welded steel contraptions, but have never been asked to put my iLugger in one. I think that they are mainly to convince some folks that their wheely, softsided "overnight" suitcase will not fit in an overhead bin and must be checked. Because if it cannot fit in that frame, no matter which way it is turned, it cannot fit in the bin.

Most airlines have a width + length + height standard for carryon luggage. I always check, even if I have flown an airline in the past, because they are known to change the standard without notice. My iLugger always has qualified. It has thousands of miles on it. My case is for a 17" or 20" iMac, however, I only have a 17", but the dimensions of the case are for a 20"

I try to be first in the overhead bin and place it with the display face down so that anything placed on top of it is not resting on the display. But I also make sure that there are not any bolts sticking up through the bin, as can be common on a busline. They are very unkind to displays!

Dah•veed