jim345

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has had any issues dealing with customs in the US regarding electrinic media -- CD-Rs, USB disks, Hard disk drives. Does customs search your data for unlicensed music, e-books or software? What happens if they find a couple downloaded mp3s????

AdobePinon

Feeling a little paranoid today, are we?

TRPardoe

No they don't, or haven't so far.

However if you were pulled out of line for some other reason, looking like Osama for instance, I suspect they would.

NC Penguin

For peace of mind, if I were you I'd delete/remove any illegal/unauthorized materials when you pass through US Customs.

jim345

yes, a bit paranoid, i know. but if someone is going to search through your entire archives looking for things to nab you with, it might be good to be a bit paranoid.

the thing is, i have so much material with work and backups on it. it's not possible for me to check through every cd looking for the odd software or mp3 or god forbid some nudie pix.

what happens if they find some "contraband" material??

AdobePinon

They've never searched any of my files, although they have demanded to see the laptop working to "make sure it's not a bomb". Personally I don't think that they're too interested in copyright laws at the airport.

You could always play it to one extreme or the other:
- Make absolutely sure there's nothing else wrong with your stuff so that they won't spend much time on you, or...
- Pack a few sausages before you leave, then hit the red line and declare them. They'll take them away from you, but you'll instantly look less exciting than the guy who's sweating his pants off over at the baggage carousel.

Actually on second thoughts, don't make it bangers. You'll really be in a heap of do-do if the drug dog gets excited before you even get to the red line.

NC Penguin

1) they'll confiscate it
2) they'll keep it (probably) and not destroy it

Don't know about whether you're passport will be stamped for the infraction or if you'll be fined, etc.




NC Penguin

Bob

If caught, I think the max fine is $250K and 10 years sentence for each offence...not that it has ever happened.
But customs won't really care, unless you have a suitcase full of knocked of dvd's and looks like you'll sell them.

If really worried, burn them to disc and mail them.

jim345

Don't they check the mail too? Not sure which is worse. With the mail, they might have more time to root through your files and even nab some of your data.

UJ_99

If you have MP3s on CD-Rs or even movies, whose to say they aren't copies of CDs you legally own? Who wants to drag around 100 CDs with you, if you can take a CDR with the MP3s on?

Like Bob said, unless it looks like you are getting ready to set up shop and start a bootlegging business, I don't think it will be an issue.

Bob

mail is less likely to be searched, also, not much they can do about it if it isn't declared when sent off...

anotherlimey

Customs have priorities, it's unlikely they'll want to search through a CD for 1 illegal MP3 when they could be searching your luggage for drugs.

I take legally copied CDs all the time for my job and they never take a second look at them.

-tom

Jabba1

Hmm...sounds to me like you actually have some good quality nudies to be asking this kind of question. You will of course be shot immeadiatly! American customs officials are merciless! :scared: :scared: :scared:


If you should make it past customs officials, then lets get together to discuss possible sale of your "contraband"- as long as they're good quality nudes. :

jim345

I bet the customs guys make copies of all the good stuff they find

TRPardoe

I was 26 years in the Merchant Navy. We all had very dubious opinions about what happened to confiscated stuff. I am sure that the drugs were generally incinerated, but porn ? I doubt it.