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Beware Returning From The Dominican Republic

I traveled to Punta Cana in October 2015. I brought my istick, additional coil, 2 small bottles of juice. The week before the airlines announced that vaporizers were only to be taken on carry on luggage, due to the dangers of lithium batteries in non pressurized cabins. I had everything in my backpack(carry on). I had no problem leaving Philadelphia international. When I was leaving the DR, security pulled me aside and went through my backpack. They took my istick, tank and juice. I tried explaining exactly what it was, but the security officer did not want to hear anything from me. I did start to get frustrated and wanted to argue, but I have learned in the past that is usually not a good idea in a foreign country. I have a feeling that they take this stuff and sell it for cash. I have to return to the DR in January. I do not want my vap to get jacked again. I purchased a IPV4 and heraklus tank. This unit has removable batteries. I plan on taking out the batteries and putting them in my backpack, while disassembling the rest of my stuff and putting them back into their original packaging, and putting them in my checked bag. I also plan on putting the juice in a ziploc bag in my checked bag. Hopefully this works. Anyone else have this problem?
 

Time

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That sucks. I refuse to fly under the current circumstances so I have not had any experience like that but I'll welcome you to the forum.

Welcome to VU.
 

stevegmu

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It's probably hit or miss in non developed nations. I wouldn't take anything I couldn't afford to lose in such circumstances. I fly to Amsterdam and Prague twice a year and take several ProVari, batteries, tanks and accessories in my carry on and haven't had any issues, other than getting the swab for explosives/illicit substances on occasion. They know what e-cigs are in the US, The Netherlands and Czech Republic, however...
 

AmandaD

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Pretty unfortunate - sounds like the guy scored a convenient little setup!

I'd be wary of packing something remotely good in your luggage - you could lose that too.
 

cheech94off

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i flew into cancun and back in may 2015 and had absolutely no problems. i stuck everything in their original box and batteries out of the device and in my checked bag. also had about 120ml of juice in like 10 different bottles and all were accounted for when we landed. i traveled with a sig 100w plus and CLT V2+ RDA and my friend did the same with a sig 100w and doge RDA and a subtank mini
 
Hi All!! I came back from Punta Cana on July 21, 2016. It was HORRIBLE coming back. So Jetblue has no issues with E-Cigs but the Punta Cana Airport DOES... They will confiscate your mod in a heart beat. My husband had his backpack and I took my mod apart and he threw it into with his electronics like his Vita, phone, camera, etc...it passed. There are signs everywhere...no electronic cigarettes on the way back...SUCKS!!
 
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Troy Brown

Member For 4 Years
My wife is from Santiago. So we go alot for family visits.
I have learned that they do take your stuff. I have lost a few.
I now just take stuff I know I don't wanna take back with me.....A cheap mod and tank and a bottle of juice. I just give it to my sister-in-law to finish out the juice and then sell for a few bucks when finished or keep.

But yes, do not take anything you are passionate about because it wont be coming back with you for sure.
 

hollynorth

Member For 4 Years
I tried explain exactly that security officer did not want to hear your absence mind. Beware your life journey will very secure if you want in a rule. We carry developed nations so give a good idea.
 

PuffPuffPass

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Mail your stuff back to your house before you leave the DR? Keep something cheap and simple on ya.

I know this is an old thread. But I want to advise against this. Especially if using UPS or FedEx.

#1 You have to have proof of purchase, or pay a duty tax. Which by the way will be assessed by U.S. customs if you do not have proof of purchase. So they will guess at the value, and could place a tax up to $1000.

#2 I left a brand new Iphone in Austria. Would you like to guess what the shipping cost were? $485 USD I was required to ship an empty box to them, with a shipping label. It was $240 and some change both ways.

Did I do it? Hell no! I bought another phone.
 

Element Vape

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Sorry to hear about your story. If it was me, I would not be happy as well. As I will be more cautious if there are going to be any vape shows in Dominican Republic. I can give you some store credit to help you with your next vape. Hope this small gesture goes far. Please pm me. If you do not need it, it is okay too. Either ways, good luck with the next vape and hope good things come to you.
 

SMOKIE

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Any recent updates late 2017 or 2018 about DR customs still confiscating gear.

Traveling there in April 2018.
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r055co

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SMOKIE

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Here is where I am going

 

Hype

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A friend of mine who owns a vape shop had the same thing happen to him , however when he was down there he visited a random vape shop that had gear for sale that looked suspiciously used . HMMM ! Makes you wonder .
 

SMOKIE

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A friend of mine who owns a vape shop had the same thing happen to him , however when he was down there he visited a random vape shop that had gear for sale that looked suspiciously used . HMMM ! Makes you wonder .
It seems it is only when leaving the DR you might encounter this problem, so I am bringing some disposables a pod vape, and one cheap sub ohm setup with me just in case..
 

Hype

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It seems it is only when leaving the DR you might encounter this problem, so I am bringing some disposables a pod vape, and one cheap sub ohm setup with me just in case..
That is when he got his gear confiscated , when he was leaving .
 

SMOKIE

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That is when he got his gear confiscated , when he was leaving .
Yes that is when they check all your baggage, not coming into DR.

I have in the past years put internal mods, and tanks broken down mixed in a grooming bag with shaving gear etc with never a issue on checked in luggage going overseas or returning to the states.
 

SMOKIE

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I am presently in DR arrived Sunday with flying into Santo Domingo airport with no issues so far.
Brought with me 2 internal battery mods, 2 tanks, and eight unlabled unicorn 30 ml bottles of juice.
Plus some disposable Njoys.

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SMOKIE

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So no problems at all in the Dominican Republic or at the Santo Domingo airport with vaping, and my gear.

Went though customs pretty fast with having vaping gear in my carry on, and in my check in luggage.


Vaping/smoking lounge at the Santo Domingo airport donated by Camel cigarettes
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At Resort
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P35

Member For 4 Years
I love the DR! Wifey and I went to Puerto Plata for our honeymoon. Flew into Santo Domingo and got the midnight drive through the inland to the North side and arrived at our resort in Puerto Plata sometime around 1 or 2 am??? Now this was 2006 when we went - and that drive ... I am not sure I will ever forget that drive. We were sure we were going to get mugged, raped, and killed by our drivers just because of the roads we took, lol. Didn't vape back then, so no input there, but Wifey and I often talk about going back. Only this time, we'd fly direct into Puerto Plata. Good to know about this airport situation though :cheers:.
 

chuck333

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Maybe take your shit appart and put it in a baggie in your checked bags, except the batteries in your carry on? Or do they search your checked luggage too? In any case I wouldn't bring anything too valuable. I've had valuables go missing from my checked bags before.

Always use a proper battery case for carrying batteries.
 

SMOKIE

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Maybe take your shit appart and put it in a baggie in your checked bags, except the batteries in your carry on? Or do they search your checked luggage too? In any case I wouldn't bring anything too valuable. I've had valuables go missing from my checked bags before.

Always use a proper battery case for carrying batteries.
It is always smart to take cheaper gear with you when traveling out of the country, and with breaking down gear in your checked in toiletry bag or in your carry on.
 

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