Entering USA with pirated movies and stuff
February 1st, 2020
Is it safe? Or should I wipe it
its safe too ive brought laptops and HD’s before on holiday with me and nothing was checked or said
I highly doubt they check your hard drives
Its a different thing if you have physical copies of pirated movies/games
You’ll be fine
They won’t check each individual hard drive that passes through their border, as it is too time consuming and far too costly. US customs is also not looking for pirated materials; they are looking for illegal weapons and smuggled drugs.
So unless you keep weapons or drugs in that hard drive enclosure, you will pass through without a problem.
Just carry your lappy in a shoulder bag, be normal, acct normal.. don’t draw attention to yourself or act “oddly”.
They’ll not bother you. At most they might ask to look inside the laptop satchel, but not for movies, mainly drugs or boomies. (bombs)
I highly doubt they check your hard drives
Its a different thing if you have physical copies of pirated movies/games
You'll be fine
So true!
This topic is pretty funny!
I would suspect the bigger issue would be based on what country you’re coming from, but the sad reality is that the NSA probably already knows what on your laptop.
I would suspect the bigger issue would be based on what country you're coming from,
Good point! but the sad reality is that the NSA probably already knows what on your laptop.
Oooooh! So TRUE!!!!
a lot of them DO get searched.. what you could do is upload everything to a file host, wipe your drive, then when you get home, re-download it.. the no cause searching seems to be coming to an end.. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9245368/Justices_let_stand_appeals_court_decision_on_border_searches_of_laptops
upload 1.5tb to a file host ??? ha sorry buddy but thats a lil time consuming… they arent going to check a hard drive i flown several times with laptops and usb sticks and hdd’s and they were jam packed full with downloaded material. your fine don’t even worry about
You didnt get check does not mean they wont check.
It depends on who is working and if you look specious or not. Your name came out in their system. Came from an high “risk” country. Or bring undeclared item. Of course they can just randomly pull you out of the line for an random test. Something along those line. Other than that…. Their not going to check your hard drive to see if it has illegal content.
Sure if you have 10 hard drives, which is unlikely.
You have nothing to worry about. TSA and customs don’t give a **** what is on your hard drive. If your laptop is subject to a more in-depth search, they will only want to confirm that it boots up (it really is a laptop, not a bomb).
You have nothing to worry about. TSA and customs don't give a **** what is on your hard drive. If your laptop is subject to a more in-depth search, they will only want to confirm that it boots up (it really is a laptop, not a bomb).
TSA might not care much but CBP is a completely difference level and story. We are talking coming from a different country to US. Of course this is coming from experience not just online knowledge. Dont give a reason for them to stop you and your good to go and I doubt they going to arrest you or denial of entry on those illegal downloads. Unless its child porno then well later.
TSA at the most may ask you to turn on your laptop. No way they will look at your hard drive, you are safe
Hell, the prisons in the USA watch pirate movies now!!!!
I m flying in from Hong Kong .Oh yeah and I am brown and TSA “randomly” selects me many times for the hand swab thingy even though I am in global entry and usually get Precheck that gives me priority in security including not having to remove shoes and belt . But while TSA’s system considers me safe and grants me TSA-Pre , the officers on other hand love taking hand swabs from me.
I don’t think so you can take it
Came from an high "risk" country.
Hmm, is it just my assumption that _every_ country is risky from the point of view of the US.