Luggage rat

Someone who lurks in your luggage. Sometimes invited. A kind of stowaway

“I wish I were going to Costa Rica with you Kendra :( “
“You can come as my luggage rat! ;) “

LUGGAGE RATS

Luggage rat(s)

AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS DEFINED AS TOURISTS IN ANY GIVEN LOCATION THAT ARRIVE WITH LARGE EMPTY WHEELED SUIT CASES LUGGAGE WITH THE EXPRESS INTENT TO BUY AS MANY ITEMS AS POSSIBLE FOR TRANSPORT BACK ACROSS THE BORDER INTO THEIR HOME COUNTRY.

THE PRACTICE IS MOST COMMON IN HONG KONG / SHENZHEN REGION AND DURING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS HORDES OF TOURISTS ARE SEEN SWARMING STORES AND PURCHASING GOODS WITH THE EXPRESS INTENT OF FULFILLING ORDERS OR PROFITEERING FROM RESALE ONCE BACK ACROSS THE BORDER.

TYPICALLY, THE INDIVIDUALS DRAG THEIR LUGGAGE AROUND THE CITY WITHOUT THE INTENT TO STAY OVERNIGHT. OFTEN FOUND CAMPING IN RESTAURANTS E.G. MCDONALDS USING FREE WIFI AND WAITING FOR RETURN FLIGHTS AND TRAINS THE SAME DAY.

IT IS COMMON TO OBSERVE INDIVIDUALS BUYING LARGER LUGGAGE TO ACCOMMODATE TRANSPORTING AS MUCH CONTRABAND AS POSSIBLE.

HONG KONG SHOPPING AREAS GENERALLY HAVE OUTSIDE LUGGAGE KIOSKS TO ACCOMMODATE THESE NEEDS.

SYNONYM: PACK RAT / MOBILE PACK RAT

Luggage rats can be seen swarming the streets and shopping districts every weekend and holidays looking to pack away as many goods as possible into their empty luggage to take home and resell.