Green zip-tie on luggage at a Bali airport stumps Aussie traveller
Green zipper on luggage at Bali airport disturbs Australian traveller
An Australian tourist was stunned to discover that a green zipper had been attached to his suitcase when he went to collect his luggage at a Bali airport.
The man took to Facebook shortly after landing at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar to wonder why his suitcase was marked.
“Landed last night and I have a cable tie on both handles of the case. Does anyone know what this means?’ he asked.
An Australian tourist found a bright green zip on his suitcase (above) after landing in Bali
Dozens of Bali regulars were quick to report that the zipper marked his bag as a potential security risk that should be subject to additional investigation.
“I thought it was for heavy bags,” said one commenter.
“It just means they want to search your bag,” another wrote.
To the shock of many commentators, several tourists suggested hiding or removing the zipper to save precious minutes at immigration.
“It means there’s something on the X-rays and they want to check your bag when you leave,” one person wrote.
“They only do it if Customs sees the cable tie. From now on, put your hand over it when you go outside.”
An angry woman called out the strange reaction, reminding people that they are guests in Bali and should not try to circumvent the laws.
“I can’t believe how many comments I read on posts where people are given bad advice,” she wrote.
“(Like) cut it off, put your hand over it, carry nail clippers with you to cut it off.
“If there’s nothing in your bag, don’t worry. You are in a foreign country. It’s their rules.
“You would take action if something terrible happened in your own country. Follow the rules. Respect the rules.’
Aviation expert Martin Engeler explained the zip tie tagging system Yahoo News last year after another aviator discovered an orange zipper on her suitcase.
Bali regulars said the zips are typically used to mark bags posing a potential security risk at Ngurah Rai International Airport (above)
He said different colored zippers work like secret codes for security personnel and called the approach a “Bali thing.”
“What they used to do was mark the bag with a yellow crayon and put a cross on it,” he said. Adding the cross meant marking the bag for an extra security check.
“Baggage is checked before they leave the airport… Customs tell them to check that bag. It is for people who are trying to acquire electronics, for example.’