As eager holidaymakers prepare to jet off for a festive getaways or family reunions, travel gurus are warning us about a potential hand luggage pitfall that could derail our Christmas plans.
Giving gifts is part and parcel of the Christmas spirit, but unsuspecting travellers might find themselves tangled in airport red tape if they pack them in their luggage, reports the Mirror.
The specialists at 1st Move International Removals have highlighted that a seemingly innocuous mistake in packing could cause big issues at the airport.
Wrapping your gifts at home might seem like a smart way to stay on track for an organised Christmas. But, passengers are being warned to remove all wrapping paper before passing through security checks to avoid delays or confiscations.
While it may seem obvious that items in our cases need to be easily identified during the security process, two in five (38%) British travellers claim to have never come across airport guidance advising against packing gift-wrapped presents in hand luggage, according to research.
The experts at 1st Move have clarified the matter, they said: “Travellers should avoid wrapping Christmas presents before heading to the airport this festive season. Security staff must be able to clearly see the contents of all packages during screening.
“If they cannot determine what is inside, you may be asked to unwrap the gifts or, in some cases, the item could be confiscated.
“To avoid delays or issues it’s best to leave gifts unwrapped and pack them securely in your checked luggage. Alternatively, bring wrapping supplies and wrap your gifts once you reach your destination.”
Budget favourite Ryanair also provides similar advice. On their website, they said: “Don’t spend hours intricately wrapping gifts to carry in your hand luggage. Wrapped gifts may be opened, searched and screened by airport security staff.”
Instead, the airline recommends packing the provisions you’ll need to wrap when you get there.
They added: “Do take a gift bag that can be folded and packed flat or save your expert wrapping skills until you arrive at your destination.”
Remember that liquid restrictions still apply to presents, with items such as alcohol, jams, preserves, chutneys, and water-filled decorations like snow globes over 100ml needing to be packed in your hold luggage to meet security regulations.
Gatwick Airport’s online guide states: “Presents in liquid form (e.g. perfume, toiletries or alcohol) can be carried in cabin baggage but this is subject to the current measures.
“It would therefore be advisable to place such presents – unwrapped – in hold baggage. Liquids of any amount can still be stored in hold baggage.”
Gatwick Airport reminds in its online guide: “Presents in liquid form (e.g. perfume, toiletries or alcohol) can be carried in cabin baggage but this is subject to the current measures.”
They recommend packing such items unwrapped in hold luggage: “It would therefore be advisable to place such presents unwrapped in hold baggage. Liquids of any amount can still be stored in hold baggage.”