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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Camera and airport security?

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Peter Steele

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Hey guys, I hope this is an ok forum for this, but can anyone tell me about taking cameras, lenses, metal handles etc through airport security? Is it all ok for normal on flight baggage? Do you have to check it? Thanks
 
Carry on any expensive fragile gear. No need to check in anything unless it's too big. Most airlines will not weigh carry on. I keep my Dragon in a purse looking shoulder bag that weighs about 20kg.. Never been weighed

One thing to remember is if flying international some countries will think your working and ask for film permits/ work visas.. So pack inconspicuous (I never travel with pelican cases, they look too professional)
 
There are 3 different things :

security
immigration
aircraft company

All 3 can impose their limitations for your equipment to travel.

For security they don't care if you have a Pelicase. Don't brig with you any liquid over 100ml (lens cleaner). Compressed air (dust off). Nor sharp edges. Big screw drivers. I never had problems with handles. No checked in batteries. No LIPo. In carry on : only 2 Lithium up to 160wh (per travelling person) and as many you want up to 100wh, none over 160wh.

Pat
 
seems like they are used to seeing professional cameras at security. Just be cool with them and keep everything in a place they can check it out. you should always bring your camera and lenses with us onto the plane when ever possible
 
cool, thanks guys that's helpful, I just wanted to make sure my handle mount wouldn't get taken as a weapon or something
 
Patrick Tresch said:
There are 3 different things :

security
immigration
aircraft company

All 3 can impose their limitations for your equipment to travel.

For security they don't care if you have a Pelicase. Don't brig with you any liquid over 100ml (lens cleaner). Compressed air (dust off). Nor sharp edges. Big screw drivers. I never had problems with handles. No checked in batteries. No LIPo. In carry on : only 2 Lithium up to 160wh (per travelling person) and as many you want up to 100wh, none over 160wh.

Pat
Click to expand...

This sums it up pretty much. But always check with the specific airline you are flying with. You get the quickest answers via phone but I always try to get it in written form (mostly mail) so I can print it and have it with me. That way I can refer to it if there are any issues. Also check your destinations restrictions. This is also important if you switch flights in some countries. A friend of mine had to leave a bunch of batteries behind in China when changing flights!

Matthew Quinn said:
seems like they are used to seeing professional cameras at security. Just be cool with them and keep everything in a place they can check it out. you should always bring your camera and lenses with us onto the plane when ever possible
Click to expand...

Be cool with the staff they're just doing their job. But also know the rules, which sometimes can be confusing. When traveling in a group split up the gear, they don't like you trying to split up batteries once they decided you have to leave them behind. Also it helped me a few times to let them know what you have packed (batteries, camera, lenses) before they even scanned it. They mostly appreciate you giving them a heads up. Make it less suspicious runnign around with 6 v-lock batteries :D
 
Peter Steele said:
Hey guys, I hope this is an ok forum for this, but can anyone tell me about taking cameras, lenses, metal handles etc through airport security? Is it all ok for normal on flight baggage? Do you have to check it? Thanks
Click to expand...

Carried many types of Cameras in my Global travels for Decades now...

Never had a single issue... But I did couple of times encountered a finicky security officer that made me put on a battery and turn on the camera... With the RED had to obviously also place in a LCD and a Lens as they wanted to securely assess that the camera was a working camera...

Other then this very few and sparse situations never had any issues...

Do NOT carry-on any sticks, Rods, pointy metal elements, especially anything self built, take ONLY batteries that are allowed in their WH capacity, I ONLY now travel with 100wh batteries for the RED cameras... And Battery powered accessories... + small Photo camera batteries and others... As allowed.


PS: Do make sure you ONLY have all of your Batteries as Carry-On as suggested... Fines up to $250k... And or Jail time... Strict FAA and TSA regulations are in place, respect them or pay the price dearly...
 
Patrick Tresch said:
There are 3 different things :

security
immigration
aircraft company

All 3 can impose their limitations for your equipment to travel.

For security they don't care if you have a Pelicase. Don't brig with you any liquid over 100ml (lens cleaner). Compressed air (dust off). Nor sharp edges. Big screw drivers. I never had problems with handles. No checked in batteries. No LIPo. In carry on : only 2 Lithium up to 160wh (per travelling person) and as many you want up to 100wh, none over 160wh.

Pat
Click to expand...


When you say no lipo, does that mean no Ronin batteries?
 
Trying to check batteries at best will get them taken, at worst, a hefty ($50k plus) FAA fine. Read the regulations about batteries on planes.

One note, if you try to travel to a country with an expensive camera and no customs paper work, many countries can and will seize your gear until you put up a bond for the amount of the equipment to keep you from selling it there and avoiding import duties. Carne or customs docs stamped when you leave is the only way to avoid this. If you actually aren't there on a job, you may get away with it, but if you are working, it's way better to be safe than sorry.

Nick
 
I've been fine with moving kit around the EU no problem, that's is without getting a Carnet, which is seen as passport for your kit, not sure of the minimum cost of the equipment is to require one, but I've picked up the habit of carrying a document with the all the serials numbers, which can be a pain when I have to use rented kit, but better that than get the kit seized or having to pay massive fines.

The 1st time I traveled outside the EU, which was to Israel for a job, which was where I learnt the hard way to have these habits and didn't help the last minuteness of the job, we didn't have a carnet or a serial number list, and we had to pay a massive duty on the kit, and on the way out they, asked to see some of the footage we had shoot, previous work, websites, contact list, it was an experience, fun shoot not so fun getting in and out.

BA's Batteries Regulations
http://www.britishairways.com/cms/global/pdfs/lithium_battery.pdf

My advice:
1. Get a Carnet
2. Carry a Equipment list with Serial number where possible i.e Anything that has one write it down.
3. Throw the Multi-Tool, in what ever bag you check, to be safe.
4. Be ready to show your work.

Anyone feel free to add to the list :001_smile:, am sure there are more to make sure everyone can get their kit where it needs to be but those are just my habits.
 
Johann Gutierrez said:
I've been fine with moving kit around the EU no problem, that's is without getting a Carnet, which is seen as passport for your kit, not sure of the minimum cost of the equipment is to require one, but I've picked up the habit of carrying a document with the all the serials numbers, which can be a pain when I have to use rented kit, but better that than get the kit seized or having to pay massive fines.

The 1st time I traveled outside the EU, which was to Israel for a job, which was where I learnt the hard way to have these habits and didn't help the last minuteness of the job, we didn't have a carnet or a serial number list, and we had to pay a massive duty on the kit, and on the way out they, asked to see some of the footage we had shoot, previous work, websites, contact list, it was an experience, fun shoot not so fun getting in and out.

BA's Batteries Regulations
http://www.britishairways.com/cms/global/pdfs/lithium_battery.pdf

My advice:
1. Get a Carnet
2. Carry a Equipment list with Serial number where possible i.e Anything that has one write it down.
3. Throw the Multi-Tool, in what ever bag you check, to be safe.
4. Be ready to show your work.

Anyone feel free to add to the list :001_smile:, am sure there are more to make sure everyone can get their kit where it needs to be but those are just my habits.
Click to expand...

Agreed, having a list of serial numbers is both beneficial for showing that you actually own the items etc, but also good for insurance if your kit gets lost or stolen. You then always have the serial numbers that can be tracked down.

Also, having a plan of what you're going to shoot is handy to have - because border control could perhaps ask what you are doing and if you have a list of places you are shooting, then it shows that you are professional and are actually there to film instead of trying to sell the equipment to avoid import tax's if you deliver etc.
 
Brody_B said:
Ok that's not very descriptive. They will take them from you if they are checked in? The law?
Click to expand...

Exactly, the law changed some time ago - don't know when exactly.
Must have been around the time when they upgraded their safety procedures due to more and more terror attacks
Ever since you have to have batteries in your carry on and as stated earlier:
- max 2x 160Wh per person
- unlimited < 160Wh (it is stated as "a reasonable amount" - always check with your airline before bringing batteries)
- no > 160Wh
- no LiPo

I always advise to talk to each sepcific air line and get it in printable form (mail or letter)
 
As are most FAA regulations, the battery regs came about after a cargo plane went down due to a battery fire. Nothing to do with terrorists.

Nick
 
Simeon T Geyer said:
Exactly, the law changed some time ago - don't know when exactly.
Must have been around the time when they upgraded their safety procedures due to more and more terror attacks
Ever since you have to have batteries in your carry on and as stated earlier:
- max 2x 160Wh per person
- unlimited < 160Wh (it is stated as "a reasonable amount" - always check with your airline before bringing batteries)
- no > 160Wh
- no LiPo

I always advise to talk to each sepcific air line and get it in printable form (mail or letter)
Click to expand...

FAA rules say two spares batteries max 160wh and one on the camera .... makes three 160 wh batteries - I had to make the supervisor on canadian airlines look it up again ... so know the rules!
also pack each battery in an individual zip plastic bag or taping the electric contacts .
 
Flo Eckhardt said:
FAA rules say two spares batteries max 160wh and one on the camera .... makes three 160 wh batteries - I had to make the supervisor on canadian airlines look it up again ... so know the rules!
also pack each battery in an individual zip plastic bag or taping the electric contacts .
Click to expand...

Do you think it's necessary to cover the contacts when not flying but transporting bricks to each gig?
 
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