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As I will be travelling to the US in July, I was thinking of buying two graphics cards (R9 390X) over there and bring them back to Switzerland, as computer components are mostly a bit cheaper over there.

I know that the US has some really high security standards regarding international flights. If I take these two GPU's in my carry-on luggage (so they don't break), how would a security officer at LAX react when they see those Graphics cards? I do realise that most people don't actually know what a GPU is or how it looks like. So I am concerned that a security officer might take them from me at an airport when trying to board an international flight.

Believe it or not, I read some really strange stories in forums from people that claim the security officer did not know what a GPU is and thought it might be some sort of a bomb.

Note: By "GPU" I am referring to the whole graphics card (with circuit board, coolers, etc.) and not just the processing unit.

Mike Harris
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RononDex
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6 Answers6

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There's no mention of electronic boards etc in the TSA prohibited items list. So provided they aren't so heavy as to be a potential "blunt instrument" weapon, you should be ok. If they're in original packaging, that might help. Of course, they don't have to let any items through, restricted list or not.

You may also wish to check the website of your airline, for their prohibited items list. I'd be suprised to see any consumer electronics on there, but better safe than sorry.

You're more likley to get in trouble at the other end. I'm not clear on the exact regulations for Switzerland, but you are likley to be liable to pay duty and VAT/Sales Tax on imported items. This site says that Switzerland would apply an 8% tax to imported graphics cards. You can of course go to the "Goods to Declare" window/corridor at customs, but this may eat into your saving significantly.

CMaster
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Building on Calchas' comment, my coworkers and I have carried large, odd-looking electronic research equipment onto international flights on numerous occasions, on different airlines, departing from and passing through different airports. We have never had a problem.

Usually, bags containing such equipment are given extra screening; security will pull us aside one by one, ask us to open our bags and remove the equipment, and ask a series of questions about what it does and why we are bringing it. Generally, I find that going into a lot of detail about the specs and purpose of the equipment puts them quickly at ease.

Keeping it in the original packaging certainly can't hurt, but we usually wrap our stuff up in bubble wrap and/or our clothes and stick it in duffel bags and suitcases, and still don't run into trouble.

user29655
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keeping them sealed in the original packaging might help too, with receipt and original packaging it is easy to explain what it does if the question arises.

tom
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I have taken robots the size and shape of a soda can on a carry on that look far "scarier" than a graphics card (gpu is the chip), and no one batted an eye.

Sam
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Also I would look into shipping them to your home in Switzerland... Extra Cost vs Fear of getting them confiscated. Especially if after shipping they are still cheaper than what you would pay in your home country.

Matt Barboza
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Considering that laptops and smartphones are allowed, both containing GPUs, I really doubt that taking a graphics card as carry-on would be an issue.

cspirou
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