The answer depends on whether your shipment is domestic or international. Please review the guidance below carefully, as locking your luggage on international shipments carries specific consequences.
Domestic shipments
For shipments within the United States, TSA-approved locks are acceptable. TSA-approved locks can be opened by customs and security authorities using a master key without damaging the lock, allowing inspections to take place without disrupting your shipment.
International shipments
For international shipments, we strongly recommend leaving your luggage unlocked. If your bags must be inspected by customs authorities at any point during transit and cannot be opened, the shipment may be delayed, held, or returned.
It is important to note that locked luggage on international shipments voids the Double Money-Back Guarantee. Regardless of the reason for any resulting delay, Luggage Forward cannot be held responsible for delays caused by a bag that customs authorities are unable to access. For full details on the guarantee, see our article: Is My Luggage Guaranteed to Arrive On-Time?
TSA locks are not permitted for international travel, as the TSA is a United States entity only.
Cable ties and security seals
If you would like some indication of whether your bag has been opened during transit, cable ties or tamper-evident seals can be used in place of a lock on international shipments. These allow customs access while providing a visual indicator if the bag has been opened.
Securing valuables
If you are concerned about the security of items inside your bags, we recommend reviewing your Value Protection options at booking and avoiding including high-value items that are listed as Disallowed Goods. For more information, see our articles: What is Value Protection? and Why Are Certain Items Prohibited from Shipment?
Questions about your shipment?
Our Client Experience Team is available at +1 617-482-1100 or support@luggageforward.com and is happy to advise on best practices for securing your luggage before your pickup date.