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Luggage on ESTA

By Coa in Tourist Visas

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Coa Rookie

Coa   1

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Hello! So am I visiting my girlfriend in January under an ESTA, and she asked me to bring two of her suitcases with me, from when she was visiting here in the summer, as she couldn't take them with her at the time. So this would mean I would take two suitcases plus my stuff which would be a carry on and a big suitcase. Would this cause any concern at POE? As the things inside are hers and I am just doing her favor. Thanks!

patrick33 Contributor

patrick33   19

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

It could, they might ask who the luggage/clothes belong to, you'll have to tell the truth and say your girlfriend. If they find out you have a USC girlfriend they might think you're trying to immigrate. Of course, you need to answer any questions truthfully. But if you're not travelling with her luggage, they might not ask at all. If it were me, I'd probably just ship it, even if it cost more.

geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,337

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

It could raise questions if they notice it.

 

Note: An ESTA is only to board the plane. You visit under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

Nitas_man Experienced

Nitas_man   3,100

Posted
Filed: Other Country: Saudi Arabia
 Timeline
Posted
22 minutes ago, Coa said:

Hello! So am I visiting my girlfriend in January under an ESTA, and she asked me to bring two of her suitcases with me, from when she was visiting here in the summer, as she couldn't take them with her at the time. So this would mean I would take two suitcases plus my stuff which would be a carry on and a big suitcase. Would this cause any concern at POE? As the things inside are hers and I am just doing her favor. Thanks!

Ship ‘em to her.  Why raise eyebrows in customs.

xyz12345 Community Regular

xyz12345   260

Posted
Filed: Timeline
Posted (edited)

If you plan to bring them, make sure you have opened the 2 luggages. The airline will ask you if you've packed them yourself. You don't want any surprises.

 

You can consolidate your stuff and her stuff into 2 checked in luggages and just bring something like a smaller check in bag (that can fit in the checked in luggage) or a collapsible duffel wheeler bag etc with you. And just tell the truth.

Edited by xyz12345
Nitas_man Experienced

Nitas_man   3,100

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Filed: Other Country: Saudi Arabia
 Timeline
Posted
Just now, Coa said:

It's just more expensive to ship them.

Not your stuff.  Your girlfriend also could have carried her things back to the US with her.


You going to risk your US entry/exit privileges over this?  Scrap it and send her a check.  Advice is not to do this.

Coa Rookie

Coa   1

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Posted
1 minute ago, Nitas_man said:

Your girlfriend also could have carried her things back to the US with her.

She couldn't as she already had other stuff to take because she was trying to move to Europe.

 

1 minute ago, Nitas_man said:

You going to risk your US entry/exit privileges over this?

Would they really pull me aside to second interrogation? I can always take proof I am returning as I have plenty.

Pitaya Grand Master

Pitaya   2,577

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted
1 hour ago, Coa said:

Would they really pull me aside to second interrogation? I can always take proof I am returning as I have plenty.

The point is that they could, nobody knows for sure. Then depending on the contents, how are you going to answer, if asked, "So, sir did you pack you own suitcase full of female intimate clothing?" Your answer would be? ____________. Ship it to her....

 

Good luck on your immigration journey. 

Completed: K1/K2 (271 days) - AOS/EAD/AP (134 days) - ROC (279 days)

"Si vis amari, ama" - Seneca

 

 

 

Coa Rookie

Coa   1

Posted
Timeline
  • Author
Posted
10 minutes ago, Pitaya said:

The point is that they could, nobody knows for sure. Then depending on the contents, how are you going to answer, if asked, "So, sir did you pack you own suitcase full of female intimate clothing?" Your answer would be? ____________. Ship it to her....

 

Good luck on your immigration journey. 

Yea I get it, I mean I do have honest answers for any question that may come up. And if they do open them they will see it's not my clothing but hers.

geowrian Grand Master

geowrian   22,337

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted
3 hours ago, Coa said:

Would they really pull me aside to second interrogation? I can always take proof I am returning as I have plenty.

Very possibly.

You can provide evidence. They may or may not agree that it is sufficient to show your real intentions.

It would be unwise to risk it IMHO. The VWP is a privilege many would love to have...no reason to take unncessary risks.

Timelines:

ROC:

Spoiler

7/27/20: Sent forms to Dallas lockbox, 7/30/20: Received by USCIS, 8/10 NOA1 electronic notification received, 8/1/ NOA1 hard copy received

AOS:

Spoiler

AOS (I-485 + I-131 + I-765):

9/25/17: sent forms to Chicago, 9/27/17: received by USCIS, 10/4/17: NOA1 electronic notification received, 10/10/17: NOA1 hard copy received. Social Security card being issued in married name (3rd attempt!)

10/14/17: Biometrics appointment notice received, 10/25/17: Biometrics

1/2/18: EAD + AP approved (no website update), 1/5/18: EAD + AP mailed, 1/8/18: EAD + AP approval notice hardcopies received, 1/10/18: EAD + AP received

9/5/18: Interview scheduled notice, 10/17/18: Interview

10/24/18: Green card produced notice, 10/25/18: Formal approval, 10/31/18: Green card received

K-1:

Spoiler

I-129F

12/1/16: sent, 12/14/16: NOA1 hard copy received, 3/10/17: RFE (IMB verification), 3/22/17: RFE response received

3/24/17: Approved! , 3/30/17: NOA2 hard copy received

 

NVC

4/6/2017: Received, 4/12/2017: Sent to Riyadh embassy, 4/16/2017: Case received at Riyadh embassy, 4/21/2017: Request case transfer to Manila, approved 4/24/2017

 

K-1

5/1/2017: Case received by Manila (1 week embassy transfer??? Lucky~)

7/13/2017: Interview: APPROVED!!!

7/19/2017: Visa in hand

8/15/2017: POE

 

usmsbow Proficient

usmsbow   801

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Indonesia
 Timeline
Posted
11 hours ago, Coa said:

Hello! So am I visiting my girlfriend in January under an ESTA, and she asked me to bring two of her suitcases with me, from when she was visiting here in the summer, as she couldn't take them with her at the time. So this would mean I would take two suitcases plus my stuff which would be a carry on and a big suitcase. Would this cause any concern at POE? As the things inside are hers and I am just doing her favor. Thanks!

 

The biggest concern I'd have is exceeding the baggage allowance. I don't know of any airline that allows more than 2 bags for econ passengers (without paying extra). And yes, shipping things to the US is expensive, but so are excessive baggage fees. 

 

As for immigration and customs, I wouldn't worry about it. Worst case scenario is you get pulled into secondary and they go through your bags. Bit of a delay, but that's it. 

Removing Conditions Timeline

Aug. 10, '17: Mailed in I-751

Aug. 21, '17: NOA1

October 23, '18: NOA2- approval

October 30, 18: 10-year GC received

JFH Grand Master

JFH   12,190

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: United Kingdom
 Timeline
Posted

Have you had any problems visiting before? 

Timeline in brief:

Married: September 27, 2014

I-130 filed: February 5, 2016

NOA1: February 8, 2016 Nebraska

NOA2: July 21, 2016

Interview: December 6, 2016 London

POE: December 19, 2016 Las Vegas

N-400 filed: September 30, 2019

Interview: March 22, 2021 Seattle

Oath: March 22, 2021 COVID-style same-day oath

 

Now a US citizen!

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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