Mumbai/Chennai shoot - getting equipment in and out safely

[Scott Brown]

Hi folks

I'm filming in Mumbai and Chennai shortly and I'm looking for advice on getting my equipment in and out of India.

The shoot is for a global company with offices in Mumbai and Chennai and we will simply be filming interviews in their offices and don't plan to film in any public places. I would usually use a Carnet to bring in our equipment but these are not suitable in India as they only apply to specific approved trade shows and not general filming.

I'm travelling in from Dubai and then on to Kuala Lumpar and plan to use the duplicate list system i.e. paperwork listing all our equipment with serial numbers, value, country of origin etc and have this stamped at customs in the UK and then in each country as we pass through customs.

In Dubai, I know we need to pay a deposit when we arrive and this is then returned as we exit the country. System is very slow but works well enough.

However, can anyone let me know what to expect in Mumbai and Chennai when we arrive? I have letters from the indian offices explaining what we're doing but want to plan ahead to avoid any delays or issues getting in and out.

Can anyone in Mumbai assist or if you've already filmed their successfully, any advice would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

Scott

 

[mahadev pednekar]

hi scott

here too you can use carnet and bring equipments for shoot for specific days.
most of shooting equipments you get locally too.

best wishes,

mahadev

 

[Mark Toia]

One word.... NIGHTMARE !!!!!

100% get a Carnet... ! An hope the customs dudes don't screw you around constantly like they do us. Indian Customs officials think they are little GOD's... and they like to make out they are better than there co-workers by making things even more painful so they look more important amongst there peers .... Absolutely painful.
And you wont be able to smuggle it in or out... they XRAY Everything !!!!

My advice... Hire what you can. Seriously.

 

[Scott Brown]

Thanks guys

Advice we've had is that Carnets are only for specific trade shows and exhibitions and that we may need to arrange temporary import/export.

Dubai is a nightmare but so far it sounds like India is going to be even worse....aaaarrrgghhhh!!!!

We are getting a company rep to meet jus at the airport so perhaps this may help us?

Best wishes

Scott

 

[Scott Brown]

Anyone else been through Mumbai recently with their cameras?

Help please, I have to get into Mumbai for a one day shoot, then on to Chennai and out to KL - can't afford customs delays so any help you can offer would be much appreciated.

Best wishes

Scott

 

[Bob Gundu]

Honestly, take little bribe money. They won't be insulted. Doesn't matter what documents you have with you if they expect some money. They just want to make sure you take your gear out of the country when you're done. A 1/4 of out budget in India was to pay people off. And we had permits but it didn't matter.

 

[Mark Toia]

We bribed as well...

 

[mahadev pednekar]

which camera do you want?
we have alexa and epic set up.

 

[Tarsem Antil]

Hiring equipments from India is the best way and not very costly here.

 

[Rob Gardner]

We shot in India with a Carnet but it turned out there was no one to process it when we arrived in India. In this case we had a local company to handle the logistics and paperwork, so it went pretty well by standards of the developing world. But because it is vague, it is possible that our equipment could have been held by customs and a bond demanded, so I think you are better off with one than without, All in all it might be cheaper to rent. The other issue with India is the chance of somebody on your unit getting sick right when you need them. We had the director and the DP both go down, but on different days. And we were very careful about what we ate and where we ate. And we did end up giving a lot of "gifts" and paying for surprise services so I'd make sure to bring some extra cash for that.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Never had any issues any were I traveled, Dubai included, and I always did carry a tone of gear.

But giving current statements here on Mumbai, since I will be headed there soon to give a Workshop, I'l make sure to make my gear list very short, as short as possible, possibly for the first time even travel without M8...