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During security screening departing the Philippines on an international flight an X-ray of my backpack showed a simple, cheap two-pronged, 2-3 meter household extension cord that I use with my laptop in coffee shops (and airport waiting areas!) where the plug isn't close to where I want to sit.

The person in charge of the X-ray machine flagged it, and when I presented it another security person (possibly looking a bit apologetic) said something along the lines that if necessary they can go find the regulation about bringing work tools out of the country and show it to me.

I got the feeling that the guard was telegraphing "This is cheap, you can easily afford another, please just say okay" but I could be imagining it.

I'm still just curious; is it really forbidden to take extension cords out of the Philippines, at least by some extension of existing regulations related to tools for work (e.g. drills, power saws, etc.)?

uhoh
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5 Answers5

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I agree with @jcaron's comment (and I am shamelessly converting it to an answer):

Security screening usually do not care about export regulations (that’s for customs, though in some cases both are combined). However there may be local security-related regulations (you could strangle someone with it, or whatever, so they consider it dangerous), but that seems a bit overkill.

Most probably you faced security-related concerns and not customs-related ones, as this is what airport security focuses on.

JoErNanO
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I found a Philippine Airlines article that says extension cords are only allowed in checked baggage, not in carry-on luggage. See the "worker tools" section of this article https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/before-you-fly/baggage-information/security-reminder This might be the reason why some people say it is forbidden to take extension cords out of the Philippines. However, Philippine Airlines is not the only airline that operates in the Philippines, so you should check with your specific airline for their rules on this. Hope this helps!

StackNance
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Just saw it happen in Manila Terminal 3 and when I challenged them, yes they said they do not allow it - seems ridiculous; no place else I’ve encountered is this the case.

Glorfindel
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Joe
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I travel weekly and many flights are from the Philippines. Unfortunately, today the airport near my second home had the most ignorant security check staff. One of them needed one obviously... All other airports in the Philippines did not have this "rule".

Glorfindel
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Mark
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Incredibly, it does seem to be the case, @uhoh, that there are vague restrictions against power cords,

although it's vague whether these are "national airline restrictions" or an emission from the "Office for Transportation Security under the Department of Transportation and Communications"

You need only google "philippines" airport security extension cords to find a few mentions.

https://primer.com.ph/travel/2015/09/19/travel-smart-what-not-to-bring-on-board/

Funnily enough, it really makes sense. After all, of course you could not take say a hammer as carry on.

An interesting point. I always take EVERY cable (small and large) and EVERY electronic in my carry on, and not in the checked luggage. The reason? I feel if there is anything at all electronic / metallic in your checked luggage, there is more chance they will open up your checked luggage for a search. Of course, your carry-on is searched anyway since all humans now have devices, so it's no further burden to have cables in your carry-on. Apparently I have to take care with this policy when transit Philippines!

Fattie
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