Transporting Gear Overseas

[Wojtek Grojec]

Firstly, hello everybody! First post here on reduser, even though I have been lurking for quite a while. It really is a wonderful and supportive community, and it has helped me immeasurably in getting all our equipment set up.

Anyhow, we recently got our RED here in DC, along with a bunch of other camera and computer equipment to complete our workflow in anticipation of taking it all abroad with us in a month when we start our first project.

I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with shipping a bunch of equipment from the US to another country. Our big concern is the amount of equipment we'll be taking, as we'll be across the pond for a good long while. I've been considering everything from simply checking it all when flying out, to having it go 'cargo' with the airlines we're flying.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Chris Bell]

I just spent 2 weeks shooting in Europe. I checked most of my gear, except for a carry-on photographers bag which was big enough to hold my Red body and Zeiss primes. Be sure the get a Euro-spec bag, as the US spec bags will not go through airport security in many European countries. They are very strict with the size of carry-on baggage. Also, we learned the hard way that some airlines charge excess baggage by weight, rather than by the piece. When most airlines would charge us around $800 for excess, Czech Air charged us over $3000.00! Ouch.

You will need a specific insurance policy for Europe. If you are staying at a hotel, most insurance will only cover gear when you leave it with hotel security.

Be smart with your gear and you won't have any problems.

 

[Andrew clemson]

Out of interest, how does this work the other way round? Im flying over to the states and bringing a RED for service, along with a couple of lenses and so on. Sorted out customs this end, how much grief can I expect when I get to the US?

 

[Von Thomas]

You also may want to consider a carnet (http://www.uscib.org/index.asp?documentID=1843), it can save a ton of headaches when traveling with a lot of professional gear.

 

[Wojtek Grojec]

Thanks for all the advice guys. We're treadly cautiously as to the airline baggage requirements, like you say Chris, because the rules vary so greatly from carrier to carrier.

I'm also going to look into getting one of those photographer bags for the R1 and lenses so our camera guy can take it with him as a carry-on. Everything else we're transporting is all in some sort of pelican case.

The carnet may be just what we need with the amount of equipment we'll be moving over there to avoid excessive customs charges. Thanks a lot for the link.

 

[J. Eric Camp]

Carnet carnet carnet.

If you don't then at the very least register it with customs before leaving.