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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 :)

Can anyone give me info about entering South America with my gear?

G

Gary Britton

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I would like to take a dozen Pelican cases of gear to shoot a doc in Argentina, Chile, and Peru and/or Bolivia for a month.
If anyone has any RECENT info as to what I should expect concerning customs and local authorities etc. and if I will have any problems just going as a "tourist", I would appreciate hearing from you.
Any comments on ATA cards (ATA carnet) also welcome... as well as WHICH airline would be most economical as far as all the extra gear goes.
THANKS!
 
Hey Gary, a Carnet is well advised and stamped from country of origin is a must. Id even carry proof of purchase docs to back your play. Its not that "aduana" customs wants your gear its they would like some spending cash to not have you wrestle with them. American Airlines has a film maker deal that allows for a massive discount in Xtra luggage.
 
Gary Britton said:
I would like to take a dozen Pelican cases of gear to shoot a doc in Argentina, Chile, and Peru and/or Bolivia for a month.
If anyone has any RECENT info as to what I should expect concerning customs and local authorities etc. and if I will have any problems just going as a "tourist", I would appreciate hearing from you.
Any comments on ATA cards (ATA carnet) also welcome... as well as WHICH airline would be most economical as far as all the extra gear goes.
THANKS!
Click to expand...

Gary:

Since you'll be carrying a lot more luggage that I had, not sure if this would apply to you or not.

I went to Chile's Torres del Paine in late March/April, and where you really need to watch it is on internal airplane travel. My issue was when traveling from Santiago to Punta Arenas with LAN. They get you with luggage charges. At first, everything seemed normal (2 pieces of luggage, max weight of 50 lbs.), however, it's NOT for each luggage but a combined weight for the 2 pieces of luggage! Needless to say they made me pay.

Good luck with the doc!
 
https://www.facebook.com/ricardo.salcedo.184

Hi, I was in Chile and Argentina in 2012 shooting a Documentary. Please touch base with Ricardo; he was part of our crew (see FB link above). He used to live in Santiago, but I see that his FB page says Peru. Anyway, he is a great guy and resource. BTW, he speaks fluent English. Tell him I sent you his way.
 
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Gary,

I don't think ATA Carnet system is honored in all those countries. If it's not be prepared for some paperwork. I traveled into Peru a few years ago and needed to post bond for 10% the value of our equipment. At first we thought we were going to have to travel with that much cash until the the company we were working for found a bond company to meet us at the airport with the cash. Some of these countries are just hard to get into once you are clearly a professional doing work there. Extra luggage fees are just part of the fun.

Bob
 
Not all of those countries accept the ATA Carnet - so you will need a raft of paperwork in and out of most of those countries. Having travelled all over the world to shoot; a dozen Pelican cases does not a tourist make… Get the proper Visa's and save yourself the headache and stress of possibly being caught out.

Here are some tips:
Even for countries that accept the Carnet - not all entry points will accept a Carnet (found that out the hard way…)
For countries that accept a Gear manifest - make sure that you translate the manifest into the official language of the country you are entering.
As Bob says - be prepared to post a bond on the value of the equipment

All of these details would be better sorted by calling the embassy / consulate of the countries you are travelling too (in your village) as you are planning. Forums are great for anecdotal evidence, but a letter from the embassy when you are trying to get through customs is way better.
 
A carnet is very important. You can have all of your equipment seized and then be required to pay a huge bond to get it back, in the worst case. You only need one local custom official with an issue and its goodbye charlie. This is not an issue to treat lightly.
 
Brasil.

Make a list of your equipment with name, price, origin, serial number. Have it checked (stamp) at the custom when entering. (they usually look at the most costy device intering). They will stamp it.
Show the list at the custom at the departure of the contry. It took me 1 hour entering and 20 minutes at the departure. We had a contact person who managed it with the authorities and sent the list some weeks before.


Make various copies of your list as they like to stay with the original.

Peru

Make a liste with your equipment (like for Brasil). Ask the consulate to help with a recomandation lettre. HAVE A JOURNALIST (reporter) visa. The reporter visa is the key. They let you enter with what ever camera you have. If you show your visa it took us 15 minutes at the custom.

Pat
 
Rob Gardner said:
A carnet is very important. You can have all of your equipment seized and then be required to pay a huge bond to get it back, in the worst case. You only need one local custom official with an issue and its goodbye charlie. This is not an issue to treat lightly.
Click to expand...


Hey Bob - You are correct, but at the same time you are mistaken… Not all countries accept or honour the Carnet system, and you need to know which ones do or don't and plan accordingly with the correct paperwork / clearances etc. If you show up to a non Carnet country and expect the Carnet to magically open the door, you could be in for a shock.
 
Just a tidbit,
definitely figure out how an ATA carnet is supposed to be filled out before you go, as every time ive ever had one the customs people havent a clue what to do with it even though they all ask for one...kinda funny. Also, having a contact with someone at the tourism board is always nice if you run into issues/
cool,
trey
chaceimaging.com
 
Hi
Each country has it's own story. And you have to plan an schedule everything in orther to get the right, easy way to do it.
I'm from Argentina. And settled in BA. I warn you that it will not be nothing like an easy entrance like a turist with such an amount of gear. If It's just your personal photo-turist-wanna be pro-gear it will be ok with just a detailed list, serials, etc. But if it´s a lot of equipment in big cases, be prepared. You will need a custom agent and probably a local prod as a warranty that it is only a transit importation and all the gear will be out (so you will not sell the equipment in the territory). And you will have to pay a large amount, like a 30% of the value as a deposit until the day you make the final step and take the gear out of the country. Then they will reinburst you. That's the way in our country right now. And there's no other way with no really huge risk of having the gear trapped and havig to pay all this way plus the days in the depot at a heavy punish fair.
May be I can be of help. Just PM me. Or email me at alejotaube@gmail.com.
 
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I was away for a few days and was only able to get back to the forum just now.
I THANK all of you guys for your input, suggestions and advice! Most useful indeed.

Anyone else care to share anything, please do.

Once again, THANKS EVERYONE.
 
:emote_headwall:
After travelling with more than 20 planes with the same package, the security check in Amsterdam made me take every piece out of the Pelicase and they took my PANCHRO liquid because

THERE WAS NO LABEL ON IT THAT SAID IT WAS LESS THAN 100ML!!!!!!
:cryin:

Shit happen. Small shit is still shit...no?

Pat
 
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