Please read this if you are traveling from outside the USA
Anthrocon welcomes furries from all corners of the globe. Some folks, we realize, may never have traveled internationally before, so we have set this board up to help our friends from foreign lands find in the information they will need to make their trip pleasant and hassle-free.
Please do not be afraid to ask any questions you might have. The chances are good that a few dozen other people have the same question but are too shy to ask.
If you are an experienced traveller, feel free to post helpful hints for those who may be a bit nervous about crossing the border for the first time.
A few rules which we will vigorously enforce are stated below:
(+) Some people from different countries do not get along. Leave the debates to the politicians and keep them off of this board.
(+) Helpful hints are helpful; suggestions that someone skirt the law are absolutely forbidden. The purpose of this board is to help people with their travel questions, not to put them in danger of detention.
(+) Regardless of what is learned here, Anthrocon urges its attendees to check with local travel agents or government authorities before leaving to be certain that they are in compliance with all applicable regulations.
We look forward to seeing you in July!
Well... I'm coming from Australia, though bringing a fursuit from there, to the USA sounds hard considering our customs. Meaning how will I get it there/back without problems? I got away with USPS/Fedex by calling it a plush mascot costume :/
Security concerns itself with items which could be used as anti-personnel weapons (guns, knives, sharp pointy things, anything with which you could assault or threaten someone), and items which could potentially destroy the aircraft - the objective which they are trying to prevent is some hostile force either gaining control of or destroying the aircraft and its passengers.
As far as I know, a fursuit isn't much of a threat in this regard. The TSA will likely open the bin or box carrying the suit, and "swab" the box for samples of whatever it is that explosives release which reveals their presence.
Customs concerns itself with collecting duties on imported goods, mostly things which are either made cheaper overseas, or american-made items which are priced cheaper overseas, in either event competing with a domestic industry of a specific sort (this could include prescription drugs bought in large quantities). Their primary concern here is goods imported for sale to others.
They also prevent the importation of proscribed and banned materials, such as Cuban Tobacco and child pornography, parrots, elephant-tusk ivory, and Tiger parts. Also fruits, vegtables, and meat products which could harbor insect pests, or not meet FDA/USDA standards for human consumption (1). Customs also involves itself with preventing the export of critical technologies to unfriendly countries.
So...unless your fursuit was made by forced child labor, contains hemp products, is constructed with tiger parts or uses elephant ivory for some function, and is not intended for resale here in the USA, you should have no problems. Just state that it is an article of personal wear, specifically a performance costume, NOT made with any animal product, and that you will be taking it back with you when you return home.
(1) - For a list of What We Don't Like, visit:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml
The Customs and Border Patrol website is not quite as easy to navigate as it should be; the section under "International Travelers" listed as "Restricted/Prohibited Goods for All Travelers" leads to a printer-friendly version of the same page, which...points back to itself. At least, it did for me.
The link I gave above is in the section for US Citizens and Residents, and is a list of things you might try to bring back; but I'm pretty sure that if us citizens can't bring it in, or would have to pay duty on it, then so would you, the traveler from abroad.
By saying the same? You gave me something to think about if I make a fursuit or have someone make it for me. With how nosy airport security can be, it could lead to embarassing situations.
I think it's safe to say that airport security have seen far stranger--and far more embarrassing--things in people's luggage than animal costumes. I don't imagine they're easily phased by now. 
Just don't wear it. Unfortunately the FA animation has been removed 
I'd imagine that it would be very uncomfortable (and possibly dangerous, since fursuits tend to get very hot, not to mention that you can't breathe as well) for both your own person and other passengers if you wore those things during your flights. You'd also attract many prying eyes that could ruin your day.
*I don't like Fur Affinity. It's too sleazy for my tastes (not being kiddy isn't the same as creating harem or hentai-style artwork and fiction), and they get into conflicts with Encyclopedia Dramatica. I prefer ArtSpots for furry drawings and such.
Not to derail this into a furry art site thread, but I like FA for its straight-forward user interface. I tried DA recently and picked up a nasty virus from the forums 
You can set your account to not see the pr0n, and avoid the drama by not reading the journals 
See also http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4019791 (title is NSFW, art is OK)
Basing my criteria on that journal, I'm not visiting most of those pages. I haven't gotten any viruses from visiting DA, so I occasionally view it (well, it's worked for me).
Even with the filter, quite a few users (and this is an understatement) have questionable avatars. I guess it's not really bad (humans, like all animals, have a need for sexual satisfaction), but "furrotica" to me feels just one step away from zoophilia. I'd also get into trouble with my folks at home if they stumbled upon pictures of canines, lagomorphs or any other of the common types "climaxing" and "pleasuring" each other.
One more unrelated thing: I'm OK with scantily clad or "Clasically" nude anthros (like Greek and Roman sculptures, or Renaissance paintings), but they can still creep other people out.
This post deserves more attention!
Relax. Furries won't give you cooties.