Bringing gift box abroad as carry on?
 

Hi,

I will be traveling from the US to visit friends abroad. I will bring with me a gift box with a purse inside as a carry on. Will this be a problem? Will I have to pay tax? The gift is roughly $1500 in value. Thank you so much for any questions you can answer or advice you may offer.
Would it be better to put it in a checked luggage?

Cannot speak for paying tax, but I would not put something of that value, wrapped as a gift, in checked luggage. I would probably put it in my carry on, unwrapped, and wrap it at my destination.

First, if you bring the boxed gift as a carry-on DO NOT wrap in "gift paper" as the TSA will probably ask you to unwrap it for inspection. Other than that, taking a purse as a carry-on will not be an issue as long as it meets the size restrictions imposed by your airline (go to the airline's website for maximum dimensions of carry-on items). If you put it in your checked luggage then there is no problem with it being "wrapped".

You don't say which country you are visiting but in most cases legally you must declare to the Customs officials in that country any "new item" that you are bringing into the country as a gift for someone who lives in that country. Where or not you'll have to pay depends on the import rules for that country. Most countries allow you to bring in a certain dollar amount "duty free" and anything over that amount is subject to the "duty tax". How much depends on the item and the country.

Whether you put it in your checked luggage or carry-on is irrelevant as far as Customs is concerned. Legally, you'll have to declare the item. If you don't and you get caught you could be subject to steep fines, detention and even criminal prosecution.

I would keep it with me (unwrapped) in the carry-on.

I'd never put something that expensive in checked luggage.

Just Google search using something like: "duty on gifts from the US to India" and you will easily find the regulations for the country you are visiting (whether you need to declare it on the customs form, up to what amount you can bring in without paying duty, etc.)

I would not check it either. I would keep it with me, unwrapped.