Can I travel with desktop computer components in my cabin luggage?

Question

I’m part of the 0.01% who dislike working on a laptop and require a big fat LCD and desktop keyboard on a huge desk surface, with a large glass of something on the side (you can do that with a laptop too but still).
As I’m soon moving to a medium town of Peru where modern IT hardware may be hard to get, I’ll want to bring my main PC components (motherboard/CPU/RAM/HDD/GPU) in my cabin luggage.
Has anyone else in the world done that before and if so are there things to avoid and smart tricks to follow?

whereskristin · Accepted Answer

Many of my clients travel with computer displays or monitors in the original packaging. The airlines will slap fragile stickers on them and check them with regular or oversized baggage. For desktop computers, people I know usually pack them in suitcases surrounded by clothes and pillows.
If you’re going to transport valuables of any kind in checked baggage versus carry on, definitely make sure you have a good travel insurance policy. Once my brother had his locked pelican cases emptied of all his camera equipment by baggage handlers. It was all insured but otherwise would have been a complete disaster. Theft of valuable items in checked luggage is especially prevalent in developing countries.
Either way, make sure to double check with your airline first because some airlines won’t allow computer equipment in regular luggage. I know of at least one person who was turned away at the counter before in Atlanta (Delta) and missed his flight. That being said, I know many other people who have traveled with computer equipment on Delta flights without an issue. It may be that policies are not uniformly enforced. Delta’s site says:
“Computers or computer-related equipment are not allowed as checked baggage. You can, of course, bring your laptop computers as carry-on.” Source: http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/baggage/before-your-trip/special-items.html

mario · Answer

My experience to Buenos Aires (flying out from Lisbon, stop over in Frankfurt) was: you’re okay.
I was in a similar situation a month ago and after a period of anxiety from not knowing whether I could travel with a full micro ITX tower with liquid cooling I had a quiet uneventful journey.
My hand luggage was oversized because the computer has a cube shape but short enough to fit over head lockers.
No one cared that I travel with a desktop. although in Germany they did test for explosives after going through the xrays.

dave_chakrabarti · Answer

I’ve also carried 24 inch LCDs (twice!) in checked in baggage from Chicago to Calcutta wrapped in clothes, and both survived. It’s actually very common for Indians to buy TVs in Bangkok and just get on the flight while checking in the new TV, in the box. Some airlines charge a little extra for this.
If you’re really serious about traveling and using a desktop for dev, I’d strongly advise looking at Intel’s new broadwell NUCs. I’ve got a Mac mini, but given the direction Apple’s going with the newer ones, it’s pretty much a given that my next desktop’s going to be an NUC, hauled back by me or a friend whenever someone’s in the US (they’re twice the price or more in India, due to import duties). You could throw two (or four, for that matter) of them in your backpack and not worry about computer parts / upgrades / replacements for quite a while.
NUCs are also much cheaper than the usual Macbook + external monitor approach, so you worry about them less. I still use a 13 inch Air for motorcycle / train travel, but I’m much more productive with two giant LCDs on a desk.
Ever tried a 4K display? Do you program, by any chance?
Dave.

mario · Answer

It was an adventure for me but I needed the case anyway.
I travelled with a unwrapped 24in monitor sandwiched between my clothes and it survived 3 flights as checked luggage.
I wouldn’t check the projector, laptops and HDD (because of the data). The other components should survive being well wrapped within checked luggage. But if you can hand-carry all the valuables I would.
If your question if whether that category of objects would be let in as hand-carry, from my experience, the answer is: yes.

baia · Answer

Ok, well bringing the entire case sounds a bit adventurous to me  I was more thinking of wrapping my individual computer components with bubble paper and stuff that in a travel bag.
I’ll also have my HD projector and laptop in there so lots of expensive stuff. If they don’t let me bring it in cabin and push it into the check in luggage category instead I’m screwed as none of these fragile things will likely survive.

mwp · Answer

Yeah, I’m the same way…need some room to work. My solution is to run a 4k display driven by a laptop (Dell precision m4400) over displayport. Very fast and portable if need be (I’m a mechanical engineer, lots of 3D cad and rendering).  I’d been considering an ITX box as well but honestly I just don’t see the upside over the laptop unless doing very heavy rendering or gaming via GPU. The 4K display I run is a 28" samsung UD 590. Cost about 600 USD in Thailand. Lightweight enough to ship/check and comes with a heavy duty box.

baia · Answer

unwrapped 24in monitor sandwiched between my clothes

Now that is adventurous  It never crossed my mind but you know what I think I’m gonna try. Takes little volume after all. Thanks for the idea.

munly_leong · Answer

haha I’m also in the same boat. I’ve got a mini-atx though and wondering how I’m gonna go about this come Panama or Thailand. Probably better to sell the monitor and rebuy locally when I arrive but it’s also an IPS panel and I’d hate to trade down to a TN or worse if that’s all that’s available locally.

Nomad List

Can I travel with desktop computer components in my cabin luggage?

Suggested topics

What features would you like to see on Nomad List?

What are the best places right now in the Caribbean/LatAM? (Also cheapest flights/accommodation?)

List of Visa/Residency Information in Table/Spreadsheet format?

Most Walkable Neighborhood / City In The World ?

Any nomads in Arizona, US?

International number & internet?

Are there any tax issues I have to be aware of?

Chiang Mai accommodation

Is anyone travelling right now?

Anyone up to explore some city which is kinda virus safe?

Holà ! What's the internet / wifi situation in Sayulita ?

How to find accomodation in Las Palmas, Canary Islands

If you're American but live in Guatemala, do you still count as American for travel purposes?

Ukraine Residency

Are co-working spaces a good way to meet people in a new city?

Are there any digital nomads in the Islands e.g Bermuda, Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis?

Is La Gomera a nice place to stay?

Is there a map of countries open for travel now?

Any good coliving or other monthly rentals in Seville?

Are restaurants, cafes and malls working in Mexico City taking into account COVID situation?