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Bringing camera gear to UK - issues?!?

Chad Dawson

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We have a shoot in London in 2 weeks and heard that we can NOT bring camera gear from the US to UK?? We typically get a carnet or CBP form listing all our gear and it is no issue but a DP told us we can't take our gear in to the UK. Anyone have issues with this? Traveling with 6-8 cases, of course you are going to have a lot of Pelican cases that are going to look like more luggage then the average traveler. Thanks for the advice and tips!
 
I had no issues bringing a bunch of camera gear into the UK, flew there somewhat recently last October. Just answer truthfully without hesitation during customs and immigration about what the gear is being used for. From my experience they were mainly worried that I was bringing gear into the UK to sell it.
 
Sounds like it is an issue with work permits. If you go over without one, they see all your gear, ask what you are doing and you saying shooting a commercial- next question is where is the work permit? And then you might have issues...
 
Sounds like it is an issue with work permits. If you go over without one, they see all your gear, ask what you are doing and you saying shooting a commercial- next question is where is the work permit? And then you might have issues...

This is true...I said I was shooting a wedding for a friend, which I was doing, even though I was being paid for it (Didn't mention that part). Probably safer to obtain one before you go over.
 
yeah that can happen. happened to me in the US as we didnt have Media visa... can happend the same coming to Europe. Try to get Media visa or something like that,... or just rent it here. let me know if you need anything.
Cheers,
Uros
 
The UK is a carnet country, like the US. Sounds like you've used carnets before...they're designed to prove that you're temporarily importing goods/equipment (and not selling it etc), therefore you won't be liable to pay duty or VAT on what you bring in. If you do the carnet process properly you'll have no issue.

Alternatively, if you don't want the hassle of bringing a lot of equipment or if the visa thing is an issue, London is a very easy place to find rentals!
 
Wasn't aware that we made it hard to bring stuff in, like said above Carnet is the way forward, if you find yourself not having much luck, feel free to send me a message we can help out with kit more than likely.
me@jordanbuck.co

Good luck!
 
Thanks everyone! Sounds like we have some options
 
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