Going Overseas to Shoot

[Larry Melton]

Last month I went to Israel and the UK. I did some research on carnets (a lot on the COW), and there seemed to be a general consensus that they were unnecessary, and expensive. I did make up a list of all my gear with serial numbers and had it checked and stamped at US customs.

I was traveling with two clients, and I had four cases of gear plus my suitcase. Each of my clients checked one of my bags, and I paid
the excess baggage fees on the other. I carried my camera (JVC HD100) with me.

I had no problems whatsoever. Nothing was questioned going in or out of any country, or back home to the US. As I write this, I am in Monterrey Mexico with the same gear, and again had no problem
at all flying in.

I’m sure that other countries may have different rules and requirements, but that was my experience. I highly recommend making the list of your gear with serial numbers and taking it (with the gear) to a US customs office. As I understand it, this is primarily to insure that you have no problems bringing your equipment back in to the US, but it also gave me a sense of having an “official” document had anyone questioned me. And no one has asked for it yet.

Have a great trip. If you need any crew in Israel or England, I can tell you who to avoid :).

Larry Melton
Grand Rapids MI

[Bg315]

I’m planning a trip to Egypt, and I’m actually considering upgrading to new cameras for this trip. I’ve been told by a sales rep. from a certain company that it is dangerous to take video equipment on trips like these because, though equipment might be let in, it might “show up broken” once you get there.”

Is this actually true, or are there steps you need to take at customs beforehand to prevent your equipment from being messed with. I’d hate to invest thousands of dollars on new equipment, only to return with broken equipment.

He said the reason the equipment would be broken was because it looked professional, will traveling with a “tourist-like” camera would most likely not cause any problems at all….but that would mean less quality footage.

Any suggestions or insights on this would be appreciated greatly.

Thanks.

[Philip Howells]

For the past 30 years until 9/11 we’ve made many programmes overseas and always took our own gear (with backups if the locality was remote)under carnet – much money and palaver in preparation but worth it.

However, since 9/11 the airlines are so picky we rent equipment from reputable people wherever we’re going.

If I was offered a programme in a “difficult” location now frankly it would have to have a budget big enough to make it worth doing. I know that’s easy for a 65 year old to say but honestly some programmes just aren’t worth it and you should always know when to say no thanks politely.