Can I really travel with my clean vape in Europe/America?

[Edward_007]

I'm considering getting a vape now (let's consider for this discussion something like Mighty), but I'm reading about a lot of mixed experiences with airport security. I travel a lot, mostly in EU, but also in Latin America, USA, south-east Asia, etc, and I'd really like to know what I should expect when I'm passing through airport security with my vaporizer (obv. squeaky clean and with no weed in my baggage). Personal experiences will be extremely helpful here. Thanks!

 

[nopapers_justvapors]

Sorry no personal experience here, but this is something I was wondering about not long ago. I would be careful carrying around even an empty vape, since they have equipment that can detect trace amounts. Maybe get one with a removable chamber? Only one I know about is (I believe) the Fenix 2.0. Not sure, but there are probably others as well.

 

[Shit Snacks]

A glass stem-based vape, where you can completely clean both the chamber and vapor path, would be far safer. Also pure convection on demand, would be much better as any session conduction vape is going to hold stink more regardless...

 

[Edward_007]

they have equipment that can detect trace amounts. Maybe get one with a removable chamber?

That's a good point, thanks. How would it work with the removable chamber? Do I buy a new one in a new country?

 

[Edward_007]

A glass stem-based vape, where you can completely clean both the chamber and vapor path, would be far safer. Also pure convection on demand, would be much better as any session conduction vape is going to hold stink more regardless...

Makes sense, but I'm wondering: are they really so thorough with the baggage check that it will make a difference?

 

[Silver420Surfer]

I've flown with my e-nail controller and coil, PAX2, and DynaVap(all cleaned prior to traveling)to and from various states in the US before with absolutely zero issues. Obviously your mileage may vary. Be safe and ready to drop the vapes and run away thru the airport(haha just kidding)!

 

[sunyata]

Okay so there are some options... The dotLeaf is currently having some infancy issues, but assuming those get sorted (and they come out with a colour that doesn't scream weed) you could just get a dotaio eliquid tank, travel with that tank in it and your herb tank elsewhere in your luggage and when you get your cavity search at an airport claim it's an ecig. Same actually goes for some of the 510 mod type vapes, eg the herbie (whilst also not quite there yet from skimming the thread on here) looks just like an ecig.

Generally the disassembleable vapes seem good here as well. For example you could travel with a disassembled vaporgenie coil, if airport security (or someone else) asks say it's your slinky collection. Also a disassembled dynavap may work similarly well. Preferably the metal ones so you can chuck it into some iso to clean completely as well.

 

[Vapefanatic]

Traveling as much as you have and the variety of places you travel to, I'd expect that you'd have sufficient experience to make this call?

You pretty much travel half the world on a regular basis. While I used to travel a lot, it was not as wide a geographical coverage as you. You must also be quite the VIP to be able to travel to so many places during this time. I can't even leave my country now. Regardless, hope you stay safe.

I've not seen any airport security take an interest on vapes. They just think it's an ecig. They are more concerned with any weapons or explosives that you may have on you. I personally wouldn't worry if you have zero illegal substances with you. Outside of a few select countries, not many people know what a dry herb Vape is? The heat tech of regular cigarettes has helped make this even more confusing. But those are legal as hell, so good for us the way I see it!

 

[Franco]

I'm not suggesting you to do the same but...
I've taken my MFLB in the checked baggage (my only portable vape at the time) on a flight from London to Denver and back with zero issues.
Now, if you own a wooden vape you should know that, as much as you clean it, it WILL collect a residue layer and my MFLB was no exception.
I suspect that a glass vape or something that can be totally cleaned would be safer for this purpose, but again I had no issues whatsoever.

 

[nopapers_justvapors]

That's a good point, thanks. How would it work with the removable chamber? Do I buy a new one in a new country?

My point with the removable chamber was that you can clean it more thoroughly and leave nothing behind

 

[Farid]

There are usually strict rules about batteries, I believe they are only allowed with carry on, not checked luggage.

As others have said you'll want something that can be completely cleaned. Something like an Arizer or Dynavap will be a lot easier to clean than a mighty. If you go with a butane vape don't bring a torch or butane with you, purchase one at your destination.

If you're going to a country where weed is highly prohibited (Japan, UAE, etc.) you may want to consider putting a package of ryo or pipe tobacco with your vape for plausible deniability.

 

[macbill]

I've carried a vape many times to Mexico, but they never searched my luggage. No custom agent has ever seen my toys. I could just be one lucky MF.

 

[FlyingLow]

No worries with clean equipment.
I favor my Omni/Dynavap for its ease of cleaning and disassembly... no one is ever going to assume these parts come together to form a vape.

 

[Edward_007]

Traveling as much as you have and the variety of places you travel to, I'd expect that you'd have sufficient experience to make this call?

You pretty much travel half the world on a regular basis. While I used to travel a lot, it was not as wide a geographical coverage as you. You must also be quite the VIP to be able to travel to so many places during this time. I can't even leave my country now. Regardless, hope you stay safe.

I've not seen any airport security take an interest on vapes. They just think it's an ecig. They are more concerned with any weapons or explosives that you may have on you. I personally wouldn't worry if you have zero illegal substances with you. Outside of a few select countries, not many people know what a dry herb Vape is? The heat tech of regular cigarettes has helped make this even more confusing. But those are legal as hell, so good for us the way I see it!

That's the thing, you wouldn't know unless you carry it already Not much travel in 2020, but I hope it will be ok soon

 

[MinnBobber]

I've carried a vape many times to Mexico, but they never searched my luggage. No custom agent has ever seen my toys. I could just be one lucky MF.

It is a real crap-shoot at airport customs checkpoints.
Pictured below at Mexico City Airport.
Which bag had me delayed for 15 minutes and questioned by 4 different security officers?
The bag full of vapes or the bag with my toothbrush gear??

Vapes didn’t warrant any attention!
The tongue scrapper drew huge attention and tested my mime skills.....cleans your tongue.

They acted like it was a huge threat....
You just never know what does and doesn’t attract their ire??,,,

 

[Edward_007]

I've carried a vape many times to Mexico, but they never searched my luggage. No custom agent has ever seen my toys. I could just be one lucky MF.

Mexico airport security isn't really known for being thorough it's EU/USA that I'm more worried about. Thanks for your input nevertheless

 

[Edward_007]

It is a real crap-shoot at airport customs checkpoints.
Pictured below at Mexico City Airport.
Which bag had me delayed for 15 minutes and questioned by 4 different security officers?
The bag full of vapes or the bag with my toothbrush gear??

Vapes didn’t warrant any attention!
The tongue scrapper drew huge attention and tested my mime skills.....cleans your tongue.

They acted like it was a huge threat....
You just never know what does and doesn’t attract their ire??,,,View attachment 5348

Woah, they didn't even ask you about the vaporizers? That's good to hear

 

[MinnBobber]

Woah, they didn't even ask you about the vaporizers? That's good to hear

No problem with the bag full of vapes , not a second look at the vape bounty.
Big problem with tongue scrapper!!

All battery devices must go in carry on bag so they go in the tray for full inspection.

 

[nopapers_justvapors]

I've carried a vape many times to Mexico, but they never searched my luggage. No custom agent has ever seen my toys. I could just be one lucky MF.

Calling them your toys makes it sound dirty

 

[macbill]

But they are my toys. I derive great enjoyment from them. I seldom break out in uncontrollable laughter anymore, but they certaining help me smile.

 

[justcametomind]

Makes sense, but I'm wondering: are they really so thorough with the baggage check that it will make a difference?

I don’t travel that much but when I did it, the few times I took a plane, I managed to score a Vaponic or Vaporgenie coil on arrival or bring one with me from home, so I could throw it away before coming back, or store it dismantled with the pieces scattered inside my baggage, after cleaning it the best that I could. I don’t think they are after drugs. They may be after smugglers but not dirty pipes or vapes ime. The only time my baggage was scrutinized I asked what the officer was looking for and she answered she was looking for explosives, imho that’s what they really are after. Now I bring my latest/favorite vape(s), my prescription and a document stating I travel with controlled substances for medical reasons, signed by the prescriber.

 

[Polarbearboy]

Until Corvid I have been going back and forth across the border several times a year to and from Canada. I've been searched a couple of times and once questioned on my vapes--Fury2, Crafty, and VapCap. While they were clean, they were stained and smelly. The agents didn't care. They were looking for substances. I think its become more of a tax issue than a drug or criminal issue. Then again, Canada has become legal and Maine, where I cross, decriminalized, so I suspect they don't care.

 

[BrianTL]

Personally what I did when I flew domestically with a vape was just give it a thorough cleaning beforehand, I took my tiny might which is easy to clean anything that would have residue, and brought a bottle of iso to clean it once again before the return flight.

No issues

 

[Edward_007]

OP here, I ended up buying Arizer Air 2 (love it), have been using it for quite some time in Mexico, and successfully flown with it to Ecuador with these precautions:
- the glass stem was thoroughly cleaned with rubbing alcohol and was sparkling clean;
- I packed the vape 'body' into my carry-on (cause battery), and everything else went into my checked baggage right in the box;
- I didn't hide it, put it with my other small electronics. If anybody asked, I'd have said it was my e-cigarette;

In the end, nobody asked me anything, so it was easy. Obviously, your experience may vary depending on the countries you're traveling between

 

[BabyFacedFinster]

Sounds like you've got it figured out. I have had similar experiences, although mine have all been domestic. That's a whole 'nother ball of wax when travelling international, so be careful.

I've traveled domestically with well cleaned vapes many times and never had any issue. The worst thing you can do is try and hide anything. Vaping devices are allowed according to the TSA website. My feeling is, for the TSA it's all about plane safety and not the weed police.

I actually think it's better to keep a vaping device together so it shows them that it is a proprietary device and not something strange that someone put together. I often fly with my Fury 2, and I'm sure to keep the silicone cover on it that shows the brand name.