UK Immigration/Customs experience

hullexile · 23-07-2009, 08:04 PM

Had a strange experience coming out of the UK this week (I'm a Brit). Went through the hand luggage and body screening then got pulled up by a customs officer who asked me to come into another room. Asked lots of questions about where I was going, why, etc. Searched my hand luggage for money, then got my luggage that I had already checked-in and again searched it for money. When I asked what they were looking for and why they said it was "not in the public interest to tell me". Didn't bother me as they were polite and friendly and it killed some time before boarding but just wondered if this had happened to anyone else?

And no my suitcases were not stuffed with wads of dosh. Would anyone actually put cash in their checked-in bags?

MovingIn07 · 23-07-2009, 08:11 PM

For money? Perhaps they thought you were laundering it?

Most likely mistaken identity - you have the same name as someone on a "list" somewhere who is a known money launderer..... which likely means it will happen again!

hullexile · 23-07-2009, 08:16 PM

Well if someone has lots of money they want me to wash I am happy to do it. The only money I have laundered has been the odd HK$10 note left in a pocket when put in the washing machine.

shilo507 · 23-07-2009, 09:34 PM

The UK government is obviously so short of money at the moment they are worried about cash leaving the country!

I think since 2007 anyone entering from - or leaving to a country - outside of the EU is supposed to declare any cash amounts on their person over Euros 10,000. However, Customs can only seize it if they believe the money is the result of ill gotten gains or to be used for illegal purposes. I don't think that applies in your case! Even if they seize the money they would need a Court Order to hold the money for more than 48 hours.

However, this regulation is very much in the public domain so why Customs wouldn't tell you why you were being searched and simply told you it wasn't in the public interest to tell you is intriguing. Seems they are more concerned about money leaving the UK than hot money coming in...

shilo507 · 23-07-2009, 09:39 PM

Or perhaps they thought you were a city banker with a suitcase full of billions of pounds of bonds!

Football16 · 23-07-2009, 11:29 PM

They do random checks at times although mostly they are based on profiling. I was selected a few years ago walking toward the gate in the San Francisco airport. This guy just ran some sort of instrument over my bag to detect drugs and that was it and I was on my way. It was before 911 so he was happy to tell me it was drug related. It was my laptop/briefcase bag - nothing more. It was no big deal and I was on my way in a minute or so. With nothing to concern me, it was a simple diversion.

I doubt they even knew your name and coincidental names to someone else. They can easily check that stuff in their systems.

I would only be concerned if it happened every time out as it does to some.

MovingIn07 · 24-07-2009, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Football16:

They do random checks at times although mostly they are based on profiling. I was selected a few years ago walking toward the gate in the San Francisco airport. This guy just ran some sort of instrument over my bag to detect drugs and that was it and I was on my way. It was before 911 so he was happy to tell me it was drug related. It was my laptop/briefcase bag - nothing more. It was no big deal and I was on my way in a minute or so. With nothing to concern me, it was a simple diversion.

I doubt they even knew your name and coincidental names to someone else. They can easily check that stuff in their systems.

I would only be concerned if it happened every time out as it does to some.

Did you read his post? They went and RECLAIMED his CHECKED IN luggage to check. I can see the concern - this was more than a random check that all of us get from time to time.

hullexile · 24-07-2009, 09:11 AM

Used to get pulled out all the time when flying to N.Ireland at the height of the troubles - but that was because I wore a leather jacket, had a beard and long hair so obviously a terrorist (oh and was on the secret service files as a potential supporter of the IRA). This time it was targeted so either a name issue, a tip-off but they got the wrong person, or something else triggered the search. Doesn't concern me unless it happens again.

MovingIn07 · 24-07-2009, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by hullexile:

Used to get pulled out all the time when flying to N.Ireland at the height of the troubles - but that was because I wore a leather jacket, had a beard and long hair so obviously a terrorist (oh and was on the secret service files as a potential supporter of the IRA). This time it was targeted so either a name issue, a tip-off but they got the wrong person, or something else triggered the search. Doesn't concern me unless it happens again.

As well this explains it. Your name is still on the IRA terrorist files and so now you are part of the Axis of Evil.

hullexile · 24-07-2009, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by MovingIn07:

As well this explains it. Your name is still on the IRA terrorist files and so now you are part of the Axis of Evil.

Best not try and go to the US then

I used to have a friend who worked in Customs and he told me they would bet on peoples ages as they approached and then stop them so they could look in their passports to get their real age. Nearest one won the bet.