Many people were asking, if suitcase has to be locked. My suggestions would be to keep it locked it you have TSA Locks. Don’t keep your documents and other jewelry’s in you check-in bags. Make sure you carry all the important documents with you in Carry-On bag. If you keep your I-20 in Check-in Baggage, you will have lots of problem at port of entry.
What happens if I lock the Suitcase?
If your bags arrive late, then US Immigration will open the bags and you will find a letter that will say something like….’ your bag was opened by U.S. Customs for checking…..” But, how will they open the suitcase?
It’s simple, if you have used TSA Locks, they will have keys to it. If you have used your personal lock and they don’t have the key, U.S. Customs will break open the lock. Problem is, if you have used the ends of zip handle to insert the lock, then they will cut the zip handle, which means, you will never be able to lock your suitcase.
Mostly, you will not have any problems like theft, while traveling to US. So, its better not to lock the bags, unless you have TSA Locks. All my trips, so to U.S. I haven’t locked the bags, but after TSA Locks were introduced, I started using them.
If you are traveling from U.S. to India, make sure you lock them. There are very good chances for your things to get stolen. If your suitcase arrives late, then people who carry you bag from airport to your home will take your items. I have seen Camera, Cell Phones, Chocolates been lost.
Details about TSA Locks can be found at
I’m not sure where you can get those locks in VIP, Samsonite show rooms, but they are available here in U.S. at places like Wal Mart, Lowe’s, Home Depot.
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the TSA key lock costs Rs.560 per pair and the number lock is Rs.700 per piece. this is was the price in the samsonite showroom. I dont remember the price quoted in the VIP showroom though it was cheaper.
Thats good news. Do you know how much does it cost?
TSA number and key locks are available at most of the samsonite and VIP showrooms in Chennai