TSA Approved Lock or Open or Lock on Suitacase

Deepanv · Feb 8, 2014

Hi,
When travelling to US do you lock your luggage with the lock provided on the suitcase or do you use TSA approved lock or do you leave them open.
Thanks.

MalStrom · Feb 8, 2014

I leave my bags open, but do not store any valuables in them. If you want to lock them, you will need a TSA-approved lock. If the bag is locked and they cannot open it they can break the lock.

Deepanv · Feb 8, 2014

Thanks MalStrom,
Ok. So there are 2 options .. either leaving them open or getting a TSA approved lock.

Priya4oct · Feb 8, 2014

I never lock my bags...Had put some valuables but didn't face any issue till date

guesshoo · Feb 8, 2014

Don't us locks built in the suitcase unless it is tsa approved. Otherwise the entire suitcase will be ruined.

JustMyself · Feb 9, 2014

I dont lock always. Use the nylon tags that you get in airport to just fix the zippers together. Once when we had locked, they had broke open the suitcase (probably to check something - not sure).

Anyway, we reported to Airport Baggage Control area, and after making note of our baggage model etc, they re-imbursed a new suitcase. It is a bit time consuming and had to stay with them for atleast an hr, before we left the airport. (I just wanted to make sure, we report it before we head to immigration, as I was not sure if anyone had put something(drugs) inside the suitcase / taken out. Wanted to be on the safer side).

Just adding this info, for anyone who may run into this situation

Regards,
JM