Hong Kong Customs SWAT drama
 

When I arrived at my gate for departure in HK, I heard my name being called on the overhead system. I approached the Air Canada counter and I was told that someone from the airfield will come and escort me down to the airfield since there are gun parts in my luggage. I stood at the side anxiously waiting as people are beginning to board the plane already.

After 15 minutes, a customs lady and an Air Canada personnel escorted me, and made me a wear a orange/yellow vest for safety. They told me to "walk in front of then" so that they can watch me. I was then escorted to a cargo bus next to my plane. When I walked on the bus, I saw a huge trolly labelled "DO NOT LOAD" with my suitcase on top. The customs lady informed me that the police will be arriving and she spoke in chinese on her walky talky.. I again, sat there, waiting anxiously, fearing that I would miss my flight. After 15 elapsed, I see a police truck pull up my bus, and two SDU/SWAT came out holding MP5's with aimpoints, and glocks holstered. The customs lady took my passport and the air canada personnel took my boarding ticket for the moment. The SDU's were given a picture, which was apparently an X-ray of my suitcase. Customs revealed some magazines I have purchased and feared that I had a full gun in my luggage. The SDU's commanded me to open my suitcase and take everything out and place it on the side. So I did it, and didn't make any sudden movements. They inspected all my parts, took measurements and wrote notes. I deliberately left bags of BB's in my luggage to show that my stuff is indeed airsoft. The SDU's were negotiating with the customs and just had some concerns with my magazines. Also, they asked me a bunch of questions (ie. occupation, arrival date, flight number, etc). At the end, they gave me back everything and I was discharged....

I was damn nervous and my heart was beating like crazy, but I kept my composure, and kept my cool. I spoke slowly and didn't make any sudden movements, then again, I didnt want to be shot with an MP5. I was very nice and polite to the people that interrogated me, I greeted them and thanked them....

good thing they didn't go for a cavity search, lol. Maybe they thought it was a nice lil pipe bomb instead of magazines. Coulda been worse i'd say. glad you made it back!

Damn yo this might happen to me if i bring back some mags :S what kinda mags did you get busted for? pistol mags or aeg mags? hi cap? low cap?

Occurs more frequently than you might think.

+1 :D

To be honest, they dont care about the brand of mags u bring.. if it looks like a mag, they will conduct a further investigation..i saw them discuss the X-ray of my suitcase and they were just concerned about the mags.. i would do it again if I had a chance.. I didn't do anything wrong, they were just suspicious that I had a full gun dissassembled in my luggage..

yeah,the SDUs are really beasts,make sure u calm down when they turn up..

Someones been blacklisted...Do they do that stuff in HK?

You didnt miss your flight. So everything ended happily.

just wanna ask what brand of mag did u bought? cuz i so wanna get stop by them...haha even though it will delay other ppl, but its a once in a life time experience.....haha, and btw, just wanna point out the they aren't SDU/ SWAT! they are called ASU, Airport Security Unit, which i think they are way cooler than sdu/ swat...hehe

I'm imagining the scene in the terminal close to the end when Gupta stops the plane with the mop :P

So how much $ did you save by hand carrying them?

I'd be scared too... I don't wanna get a criminal record just for bringing in airsoft stuff.

That is honestly the coolest story. Man, I wish I was you.
EVeryone around you would've been like, shit, this guy got balls. ;)

I would honestly be shitting myself because my Cantonese (and Mandarin) is so crap. I'm not even functionally fluent.

PS: OCTB all the way, I totally want to make an OCTB loadout for urban/CQB games. From what I understand basically I just have to look like a "Detective" with a bulletproof vest, a windbreaker on top of that with OCTB printed on the back of it and a pistol in a leg or hipholster....

You need to let everyone know BEFORE you hand over luggage (not shouting, just needs to be said :)) and take nothing in hand-luggage.

(I know that this is about magazines, that i wouldn't normally expect to be a cause for alarm)

I have travelled with quite large amounts of kit (m4 , 2 pistols, 8 mags for pistols and 12 for the M4 plus sundry kit) and the key for me was to alert the check-in that i have 'sporting equipment' that needs to be x-rayed by SECURITY (they'll just tell you it's fine but you need to INSIST that you need to go to the security check/desk)

usually it's the out-sized luggage check in (ski's etc)

go up to them, explain the situation, they'll x-ray and usually ask to be openned, they'll handle and be fine (if you're not trying to bring in a 249 in one piece) and mark it as 'security checked' and you'll have no problems.

just remember, NEVER use the word GUN or WEAPON. they may or may-not know what airsoft is, they will use the x-ray first, then looking at the working parts

GBB rifles owners, pukker that a-hole for a while, it could take a bit of talking and showing them the bolt (material, lack of locking lugs for the bolt, lack of gas parts et)
and magazine, to 'show' them that it's not real.

AEG owners can relax a bit, once they look into the magazine well and see the gear-box they tend to settle down.. open the dust cover (if you have one) and show them the lack of working parts.

bring bb's and be prepared to load them into the magazine (but NOT into the gun)

Vent any magazines, maybe keep the slightest amount, for the sake of o-rings, but be prepared to vent them (storage of pressurised gasses is another kettle of fish) if they want. (don't argue, you'll be happy that you had only a small amount in it now, otherwise you'll need to vent it somewhere safe)

Most of all, this only works in countries that allow airsoft, declaring that you have airsoft in a non-airsofting country = nasty (i imagine)

Be polite, be calm, be prepared to show them ANYTHING to make them feel happy.

this is how i avoid getting the rubber-glove treatment (working so far!)

ALSO: an unexpected benefit, because your luggage will be checked by security, it's possible to avoid paying for extra weight, just insist (nicely!) that you want it checked in by security. they'll hand you your boarding card without checking the weight and the security guy doesn't care about weight.

Actually, everyone was lining up to board the plane, and they saw me wear a vest and walk right down to the airport.. they were probably thinking that I had some kind of royal treatment, but instead, I was being investigated!

I didn't carry any airsoft by hand, I left everything in my check in luggage and I got everything back and they have all safely arrived in Toronto. My plane was scheduled to leave at 4:20pm, and they finished their investigation with me at 4:10pm, so I ran back upstairs to board the plane. I spent around $1200 USD...

I remained cool and even greeting the people that secured me.. I wanted to show that I was willing to show them everything and I meant not threat.

Here is proof that all my items made it across the border safely:

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/4213/img8404a.th.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2568/img8400x.th.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/3056/img84011.th.jpg

Shot by an MP5....it's just 9mm, relax, parabellum doesn't have a lot of energy !
Nah, really, that is bad, I mean, we all bought a part or two in some country :O
At least nothing went bad ! Also, in the photos, we see 2 pistols...you didn't have them with you did ya ? :O

Fucking ship that shiat, yo

No, those are my existing pistols.. just everything on my desk, minus the real steel troy sights

yeah, rock'n'roll !
good job for keeping your cool and a good attitude ;)

Good job, you kept your cool and let the professionnals do their job. Its whats called an adventure:) I'm sure you will get a lot of interesting conversations in the coming years retelling it. Must have been weird getting into the airplane and getting the 'look from the other passengers. Hmm could be the basis for a good airsoft scenario lol.

But seriously, It made me think of all those people who get tazzered in airports, if they had half your brains they would just sit down and let the pros do their jobs instead of going bezerk and of ending up doing the bacon dance.

I had a similar incident happen to me at HK airport when I got my first AEG in 2002.

It started in Tokyo Japan, where I made a day trip to Akihabara ("Toy City") to hunt for some parts for RC cars. I walked in to a shop that I saw had Tamiya car parts from the store front, so I picked out the stuff I was looking for, and as I was about to pay, I hear one of my buddy's quietly say "ho... ly... shit......" I look at him to see what's wrong, and I see him staring at the back wall behind me that I managed to completely miss. I turn around, and see a HUGE wall of Tokyo Marui AEG's lining the entire wall. First time seeing that many guns in one place, my eyes damn near popped out of my head.

I pointed to the P90-TR (which was just released around that time), and I told the shop keeper "I want that. Now."

As the transaction ended, they wrapped up the box nightly in discreet wrapping paper, packaging string, and a handle so that I could transport the large-ish box back to the ryokan I was staying at.

When we left Tokyo to go back to Hong Kong, I could not fit the box in to my luggage, so instead, I opted to carefully pack the complete AEG in to my suitcase and I would then hand carry the empty box on the plane. Being a total noob at the time, I figured this would be the safest route, and seeing as how Hong Kong has a pile of airsoft all over the place, I figured it wouldn't be an issue to import it in to Hong Kong.

When I got to Tokyo's airport and was told to check my luggage in with security, they had three amazingly cute Japanese girls manning the desk. Not knowing a lick of Japanese, I told them "I have an air gun in my suitcase" in plain English. They looked at me... had no idea what I said, and I just had a stupid grin on my face because these three cute girls wouldn't stop giggling. I tried telling them a couple more times that I had an air gun in my suitcase, and even made motions with my hands to simulate a gun, and they just kept giggling. So finally, I placed the suitcase on the conveyor, and they stopped it in the xray and asked me to point out what I was talking about. At first, they pointed to my electric razor. Surprisingly, you could barely make out anything identifiable that would make out a P90 AEG in the xray. So I pointed out the barely visible outline of the body, and they just kept giggling...

So they motion to open the luggage and show it to them. These three cute Japanese girls then proceed to pick up the gun, and kept saying "kawaii...!" and started pretending to shoot each other with the thing and making "pow pow" sounds. I was like "wtf...... I'll give you a big gun to play with......."

Anyways, they let me go eventually. Kawaii...


When I landed at HK airport, we collected our luggage and was on our way out through their security clearance area. I noticed a supervisor eyeing me carrying the empty AEG box, and at least two other officers watching me. As I passed through the gate, an officer stopped me, and asked me what was in the box and to open it. As I unpackaged it, I told them it was an empty box for an air gun, and that the gun was in my luggage. They started going through the manuals, opened up my suitcase and began handling the P90. The officer looks at me, not having held a P90 before, and said "wow, this is pretty cool." I told them I figured it would be okay to bring it in, since they sell airsoft all over Kwong Wah anyways. They said their concern was that it may be a real gun.

During this session, I saw two more security officers show up, each with MP5's and Glocks, decked out in tactical gear. My friends were standing off to the side, and I could see the look on their faces... "Brian's fucked."

They then took all my luggage (and the gun), and told me to follow them. At this point, I had two "regular" officers at my sides, the supervisor in front of me, and these two tactical officers flanking me. I wasn't going anywhere.

They took me in to a room with a bunch of shelves, and all on the shelves...... were boxes of latex gloves. *gulp.* The two tactical officers stationed themselves outside the door to the room, and then the supervisor began running me through the standard battery of questions. Where are you from, what are you doing in Hong Kong, what's your occupation. Why are you bringing this in to Hong Kong, how much did you pay for it, what are you going to do with it. etc. I answered all their questions, and they just kept flipping through the manual for the gun.

Finally, they let me go.

The scariest part was the wall of rubber gloves.

I personally think you guys are totally nuts for even trying any of this stuff.

Either get what you can in Canada and pay a little extra or just wait the time it takes for an importer to bring in your requested item into the country.

You are both extremely fortunate that both scenarios turned out on the positive side...

Agreed. In retrospect, I shouldn't have even tried any of that, but I was young and stupid. It wasn't worth the potential risk.

Going back to the Philippines and Hong Kong this summer. I guess im sticking to BDU's vest's holsters and goggles! I was hoping to buy some mags and legal accessories but i dont want to go through the hassle. I dont need the rubber glove tour...

I'm sure the rubber gloves are there to protect their hand from getting all dirty when they take apart your gun and mechbox to make sure it cannot fire a live round :rolleyes:;)

Yeah, those live rounds are dangerous...especially after ingesting airplane food

God Damn it! There goes my drink... :mad:

You do realize you're admitting to smuggling on a public forum right?

Not so much admitting.... more gloating about it...

I dont think he smuggled
seeing as he claimed everything, and in his original post mentioned nothing about bringing a gun back, only parts
the 2 pistols on display could have been canadian bought

Smuggling what? He declared everything, and nothing was prohibited.

i think he saw the 2 pistols and assumed

Just to clarify, the pistols have already been purchased in Canada. I DID NOT BRINg THOSE ACROSS THE BORDER

I don't think it's really considered smuggling. They're all legal items.

One of my co-workers went through some issues a couple years ago when he went down to the states and bought a Boyd's rifle stock for a 10/22 Carbine. Both are completely legal. However Customs and security took him aside and asked him all the routine questions and inspected the stock. And then CBSA pulled out their "bible of contraband" to see if they could take it. In the end they let him go, stock in hand.

Wow. What a drama. I think that bag of BBs saved you. Good to know all went well.

Lol Brian...

I was reading ur post half way thru I was like : "hey I'm pretty are this is how one of the J-AV I've see started... 3 cute girls in uniforms Kawaiiiiiiii... " :0 lol...

Too bad there was no part two where they strip search you to see if u were carrying any other "guns" on you and to safely "disarm" the guns... ;)

Thanks for sharing man!

Man way to go keeping ur cool. I would have freaked out when I saw the MP5s lol...

Btw did u see what brand were they carrying...? ICS? WE? Anyone with a tricked out glock...? Jk heheh...

Uhm, I think it was RS MP5 with a RS aimpoint. The guns looked a bit warn out and they had a glock holstered on their side. When I was safe to leave, I wanted to ask if I can take a picture with them holding the MP5, but I thought that wouldnt be a good idea :)

There was one time when one of the SDU was exploring my items and I sat behind him. He originally had his MP5 hanging on his back from a sling, and then, I think he remembered I was behind him, he shifted his gun in front. I think he did that in case if I took the MP5 from him :)

lol......thats nth...i had about a 1000rnds of real .223 rem ammuniton once in my luggage, i was cuffed, got kneel down facing a wall at the airport