Quick Question On Travelling With A Hookah.

[PurpleSmoke]

Alright, I'm planning to go from the US to Switzerland this summer and want to take my Mya QT with me, but I've never traveled with anything more than clothes and my laptop by plane before. What would I need to do to get it packed up and ready? Will customs have to check it in or something like that? I honestly haven't a clue.

[S3cretz]

Just be shure to stand your ground If they claim its NHT(non hookah tobacco) paraphernalia inform them its a hookah and is used to smoke tobacco. If even then they have a issue let them test it for NHT and you will be good to go. Also never fly with more than 250g of tobacco in most country's this is the legal limit. The reasons behind this are solid and I support them its mostly about assuring people dont "smuggle" tobacco around the world or country the reason we still have tobacco is because its taxed If people smuggle it, it makes it just that much harder for us to justify out hobby. Edited February 24, 2012 by S3cretz

[PurpleSmoke]

Okay, thanks. I planned on standing my ground whatever I faced, but I was not sure exactly what I would have to face. Think it might not be safe for me to try and bring my homemade shisha with me xD

[Rani]

I seem to recall coals will give you a problem, but I think almost everything else is fine. Personally, I tend to find a lounge if I'm not willing to forego my hookah smoking for the length of the trip. It just seems like the hassle of worrying about the vase, customs, etc., "taints" the experience for me. Again that's a personal thing of mine. So I either find a lounge locally or don't smoke for the duration. Though I once did come across a pipe in Italy a few years ago, so I bought it, and everything I needed to smoke, then shipped the pipe back ahead of myself. Fewer hassles all around.

'Rani

[PurpleSmoke]

I might just end up doing that, shipping the hookah through the mail ahead of me a month or so earlier so I know it gets there. Coals and the shisha can be bought while there, I know a few shops.

[CO_hookah]

[quote name='S3cretz' timestamp='1330106150' post='540354']
Just be shure to stand your ground If they claim its NHT(non hookah tobacco) paraphernalia inform them its a hookah and is used to smoke tobacco. If even then they have a issue let them test it for NHT and you will be good to go. Also never fly with more than 250g of tobacco in most country's this is the legal limit. The reasons behind this are solid and I support them its mostly about assuring people dont "smuggle" tobacco around the world or country the reason we still have tobacco is because its taxed If people smuggle it, it makes it just that much harder for us to justify out hobby.
[/quote]

U.S. Customs might give you a problem. Coming back from the Middle East I was stopped and the agent was convinced that is wasn't a hookah and it was a less savory smoking accessory. Long story short, just follow S3cretz advice and hold firm. They can't arrest you for something that isn't illegal.

[Hassouni]

Customs here is well acquainted with hookahs. You shouldn't have a problem

[S3cretz]

[quote name='Hassouni' timestamp='1330112572' post='540365']
Customs here is well acquainted with hookahs. You shouldn't have a problem
[/quote]
I wonder whos to blame for that

[wogsncash]

I carted mine from Egypt through Europe and back to Australia, the only thing they picked me up on were the tongs, apparently they are deemed a security risk. I had no issues with coals, shisha etc.

[vendetta_revived]

Natural coals won't give you any trouble. Quicklites on the other hand can, when it comes to GSR test.

[Bawhee]

These guys have said it all! If you can buy tobacco and coals when you get there just bringing your hookah should be no problem

[Skoozle]

I had a hookah stem in my carry on today and they had to give it an extra close look at security.

They didn't ask any questions or insinuate anything, but it took an extra 10 or 15 minutes.

This was at Richmond International Airport.

[ihcake]

I flew from Rapid City, SD to Salt Lake, Ut a few months ago. I packed my Mya Qt to take with me. I just wrapped the base in a towel, and packed everything else in between shirts, jeans, etc so they wouldn't get damaged. Worked just fine. I was worried about them checking my back and thinking it was a bong or something. They didn't say anything but I also don't think they went through my stuff since I was only going a few states away. I would say just clean it really well, drug dogs won't pick up anything on it if you've only smoked tobacco out of it. 

You'll be fine!