I'm looking to send some holiday gifts to the Czech Republic (recently joined the EU this past May). I was thinking about using holiday wrapping paper on the boxes (not the outer package obviously) and I was wondering - does anyone know if the customs people open up and go through every single box inside the package to see what are in them, or do they rely on x-rays and the list of things I write on the outer package most of the time? If the former, there would be no point in using wrapping paper as the customs peoples would just tear them up. And would the USA customs guys open up the box too, or do they not care since it is outbound? Thanks in advance.

 

they'll use xrays and dogs, if they find something they'll open em up. just use coffe grounds and moth balls to throw off the dogs. xray - use a lidatek.

 

I send stuff to Ireland all the time, and I've only ever had one package opened. I usually send things via USPS, but if you send via UPS or FEDEX, there's even less of a chance of having packages opened. UPS and FEDEX put all their stuff in pods for air freight, and the volume is so great that very few pods ever get opened for examination.

In the past few months, I've sent two iPods, two digital cameras, a PDA, and other stuff. I repackaged the iPods, as the boxes were so big.

 

Thanks guys - I guess I'll wrap the boxes since it seems there's a small chance they would get opened.

 

It's economically not feasible for any country's customs to open every package, item, mail incoming or outgoing. Thus the use of XRay, Sniffer Dogs, etc. If every package was single handed opened for inspection ... The worldwide courier/shipping business would collapse. You'd have to be very unlucky or have your package flagged before they attempt to open it generally.

 

Thanks for the assurance - makes sense.