Hi everyone. This is not parenting related! I am traveling overseas for work, and I happen to be transporting a VERY expensive brand new engagement ring with me. I won't be wearing it (it's not mine), and it will be in a jewelry box.
I am terrified to travel with anything this expensive. What is the safest way to bring it? Is there a way to insure it? Will I have problems going through security? Will I need to claim it going through customs? I've never owned anything this valuable, let alone been trusted to travel such a long way with it, and I'm kind of freaking out about losing it or having problems!
Thanks!
The owner is my brother (to propose with), and I'm bringing it with me when I go visit the city he iives in. I'm going to need to have a conversation with him about insurance, etc. I'm really worried that I will somehow misplace it or have it stolen!
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I bought a "fanny pack" like purse to wear on my body. It's flat and will go under my clothing. I'm going to take the ring out of the box and put it in a zippered section (taped shut lol) along wtih my passport and other important items for travel. That way it will be on my body the entire trip, and I won't be the first one to wear it - which I think should be somethign special for my new sis-in-law!
Thanks EVERYONE for the tips! I'll still be nervous, but I think I have it figured out.
Regarding customs, since you say it is 'brand new' take the receipt with you to show where it was bought; therefore no confusion or question regarding 'taxes'.
Ship it and buy insurance!
I would ship it, fully insured.
I have had my luggage lost on flights and I wouldn't trust something that valuable, especially if it wasn't mine. I would say to wear it, but you wouldn't be insured if something happened for that either.
Do the safest thing so you don't have to worry about it.
Travel and send the ring on it's own.
Just my opinion.
What a lucky gal waiting on the other end!
Yes, carry it with you!!! Don't pack that in the suitcase for fear of losing your suitcase! I don't know about customs, though, good question. You may have to look that up. About insurance...it should be insured already!!! Who bought it?? Call them up and tell them it needs to be insured before it comes into your possession and at the very least before that plane takes off! You can buy insurance for it right from the jeweler and that is a MUST.
Sounds exciting though! I hope they say "yes" after all this hard work! ;)
I would wear it if it fits you. This way there will be no customs questions and you will have it in your site a all times. I'm sure your friend that you're transporting it for will understand. Have fun with the bling!
Definitely have it insured! Make the owner insure it and put you on the policy as a valid user or carrier. Look on the TSA website -www.tsa.gov about declaring jewelry and going through customs. Are you buying it for someone overseas? Have they already bought it and you're picking it up? In that case, the seller should ship it with insurance. Whoever the owner is should work all of this out beforehand.
Maybe you can ask whoever you are transporting it for if it would be ok with them if you were to wear it on a sturdy chain around your neck. I would be so scared to bring it otherwise.
You should be able to buy insurance through the jeweler. Get a money belt and put the ring in the belt under your clothes. Any time we travel internationally, we wear our cash under our clothes on the plane.
When we were flying to Aruba for our wedding, I wore our wedding bands on my necklace ! Always ON ME !!!! I kept my hand on it the entire time. I wouldnt wear it on my finger if i were you, let your potential new SIL be the first to wear it on her finger :-) GL
I have traveled with very expensive jewelery on the plane many times. I always keep it in my purse. And even if I go to the restroom in the plane,I would take my purse with me. Make sure the purse is not an open purse and has a zip, that way nothing would slip out. I also keep my passport and important documents needed for immigration in my purse. Always hold on to your purse, never keep it unattended. Do not keep it on a cart even though you are holding the cart, just hold it in case someone snatches it when you turn your face away. (This happened to my aunt and she lost a lot of very expensive jewelery.)
When going through the scans they will ask you to put the purse on a tray and it will go through the x-ray machine. Do not worry as that is a safe and secure place, and you will see the purse going through the machine.
Insure the ring for safety, although I have never done that because it costs and I think if i hold it safely it will be fine. But insuring will be the safest way.
Have a safe journey, and enjoy!
I wonder if instead of carrying it you could ship it, insured.
And then pick it up when you arrive.
Wear it but keep the box in your purse. When you fall asleep on the plane be sure to sleep with your arms crossed tucked inwards and fist closed. This is what my husband's job tells him and his coworkers due to safety concerns on international flights with thefts of jewelry & cell phones from bags and/or jewelry being worn. - Yes, insurance and/or shipping is usually safest way; but with it being holiday season any thing you do to be safe will be good to ensure you and the rings safe transport.
I would wear it. That way it's on your person and no one can steal it and you won't have to claim it.
I would ask permission to wear it for the safest transport. No luggage being lost or stolen etc.
My aunt made a small cloth pocket which she safety pinned to her bra when she carried valuables. I agree that the ring should be insured and that you can find out about customs, etc. by going to the airlines computer site and the U.S. Customs computer site.
Kimberly, whatever you do, DO NOT PACK IT INSIDE YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE. Two obvious reasons: Customs people take things and airline employees/TSA pilferage luggage also. If you take it on the plane in your purse with the reciept, it should be fine. Heed all the signs of the lady telling you not to leave your purse and make sure it has a zipper. And most importantly DO NOT TELL ANYONE ON THE PLANE that you're carrying it. Calm down and you'll be fine. I always take some valuable jewelry with me and it's in my bag that stays under my feet on the aircraft. Take it from a longtime airline employee.
