New boxed mobile phone in hand luggage?

[mickee]

Hi all,
We fly out a week on Monday and will be celebrating my DS birthday whilst away. As he's starting senior school in September we've bought him a mobile phone as his birthday present. Will this be ok to take through in my hand luggage without having to take it out the box etc? I'm reluctant to put it in hold luggage, just in case. He doesn't know he's getting it so kind of want to avoid having to take it out of the box at security. Thanks all

[sky13]

I wouldn't put mobile phones (or other fragile electronic items) in hold luggage!

My general feel with bringing boxed/presents/etc in hand luggage is to hope that they don't ask to open up the box, but that if they do want to open up the box/present/etc then I wouldn't have a choice but to open it up. So it really depends. And the problem with mobile phones is that some airport security screening will ask to put electronics separately (most of the time I think my mobile phones are ok to go in the bag, but seem to recall having had to put them separately in the past too). And of course there is the issue of possibly needing to turn out electronic items at security.

I'm wondering if it might be better/easier to give your DS the mobile phone before the holiday? That way if there is any issue with the item (as can occasionally happen with electronics) you can bring it back to the retailer ASAP. And he might also like setting up the mobile phone and loading it with his games/movies/etc to bring on holiday with him?

[Mel49]

I tend to agree with the suggestion to give it to him before you go incase issues at Security. If you don't want to actually let him use it on holiday though you could take a photo of it to give him on his birthday and then set it up once you get home.

[Leggibone]

I haven’t, and I wouldn’t,
Just because they will likely want it out the box to swab it as it’s electronics, either give it before or save it for after, just for peace of mind.

[Smilesonfaces]

Electronic devices need to be fully charged as you may need to switch it on for security staff. I would either give it to him on the morning of the holiday or save it until you are home and give him a few other small gifts to open on the day.

[lizzie145]

Any electronics need to be taken out of a box or bag at security

[Andy0502]

Mobile phones don’t need to be taken out of bags to go through security, only larger electronic items. Mobile phones can be left in jacket pockets, pc bags, hand luggage etc. I’m not sure whether there would be any request to open the box though, but a new phone typically comes with enough charge to be able turn it on.

[pinkstargirl]

Personally I'd either give it to him before or leave it until you get home. Andy is correct that small electronics such as mobile phones do not normally need to be removed from hand luggage, however should your bag need searching, every electrical will need to be checked and swabbed.

[planecrazi3778]

Mobile phones and anything with lithium batteries have to go in the cabin due to their batteries potentially catching fire. You won't have to remove a phone from your bag, anything larger than a small tablet will have to be removed though. So depending on what phone, and size it may have to come out but in general mobile phones are OK. Btw I'm cabin crew so pass through security regularly.

[mickee]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Think we will probably give it to him before we go. X