Oxygen Concentrators & us Customs

[Zeb]

Does anyone know or have experience traveling with oxygen from Mexico in to the US? We need to purchase some portable oxygen which we would have with us (flying) upon returning to the US ?

[jrod]

For sure, you need to get info from your airline. Recently (over the holidays) there was a big ruckus when one of the airlines would not let a passenger aboard because their oxygen did not meet airline nor FAA requirements. The next step would be to go to the USCBP website for information. There's also a telephone contact number posted.

[RVGRINGO]

I think that oxygen bottles are prohibited, but small battery/110v oxygen concentrators can be used. There are several models that are specifically approved for airline travel. However, there are two hurdles to overcome: They are very expensive and I never did find any available in Mexico. A medical prescription is required in the USA, unfortunately.

So, let Google be your friend and you might be lucky enough to find a used portable oxygen concentrator available. A friend might have to bring it down for you; wearing it, of course, to get “personal medical equipment“ through customs.

If driving, as we did, portable bottles were in the car, but I did not have to use oxygen on the trip, as I was a quiet passenger and high elevations were brief.

[Fred Habacht]

My insurance company provided my wife with a FAA approved unit. It has an 8 hour battery which is required by Delta and most others. It is fairly light weight and has a collapsible handle for towing behind you. It is not quiet.