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Issue Bringing Epic to Costa Rica?

Stivan Widick

Stivan Widick

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Hi All,

I'm planning to bring my Epic kit and a few lenses with me on vacation to Costa Rica tomorrow. Would anyone know if I'm likely to run into issues because the equipment looks 'professional'? I'm not shooting for a production. I've read that Costa Rica is vigilant against bringing in foreign technology for sale. I don't want to inadvertently run afoul of customs.

Thanks,
Stivan
 
Hi Stivan, I would say that in Costa Rica there is a 90% chance NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN if you tell the Customs Officer that you’re just using the camera for you’re personal use (if asked), and that you just want to record your vacation while in Costa Rica. People bring in iPods, cameras and all sort of things when they go on vacation, just like any were else.

Don’t make a big deal about the camera or that it’s a professional camera, just act normal. My Cellular Number is 83 44 54 31, just in case.

Humberto Rivera
 
Your bigger issue could be re-entering the U.S., depending on whether it is passable as a kit someone would take on vacation. Our customs agents are among the more ambitious and officious when aroused.

A carnet is expensive and requires more time than you have. I think there is another document that can be made up free of charge (I think it might be called a manifest) that you can have stamped by customs on the way out. Really though, either of these are only really necessary if you are taking the stuff for pro use.

I suggest simply bringing with you a copy of the receipt(s) for your gear. This proves that the gear was purchased in the states and you're not importing it. That way if you happen to get searched and they happen to give you a hard time, you can be sure that you're all good. Otherwise they could technically impound the gear until you proved it had been purchased here. Even if you just take a pic of the receipt with your phone, it's probably a smart move.
 
Thanks for all your help, guys! I'll pull all my receipts together now. There's a US Customs Service Port at JFK airport from where I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll call them and see if I can bring everything by their office to document my gear before my flight.
 
Thanks. We'll be on the Pacific side, but much further down the coast. We were hoping to go to Corcovado, but the trip started getting too complicated for the amount of time that we'll be there. Will definitely be trekking inland as well to see a volcano or two! (:
 
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