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Travel to Europe with Camera Gear - To Carnet or NOT to Carnet!?!

Jan Balster

Jan Balster

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Hey Everyone,

I'm getting ready to film in Germany and Denmark for a few days. We're planing on taking an Epic kit, camera support, etc. everything we're bringing would be worth around $50K

Question is, should we go through the trouble of getting a carnet or can we do without one? What do you guys think.

Thanks for any feedback you guys have on the subject,

- Jan
 
If we work outside the EU we usually rent the stuff needed. May be worth considering, it´s easy traveling and the costs might be in the same ballpark - when you add up all the costs for carnet, insurance, wear of your equipment, extra luggage and all the things that come together.

Cheers, Ulf
 
I went from France to US a lot of time. I did not use the carnet, until i was stopped at the customs in France and also in the US. Then I did the carnet. About 600 euros...
The problem with the carnet is that you are more slow. You have to see the customs when you leave and arrive, so, 4 time for 1 travel. If you change your flight is a very mode (i am used to this mode), you loose more time with the carnet. But with the carnet you have your mind free. My problem today is that my list has to be the same for each travel. Or I have to pay another time the carnet.

Olivier
 
If it's your own gear and you have receipts it should not be required to have a carnet. if it's rental on the other hand, it's better to get a carnet
 
Customs are strictly monitored in Europe when you're coming in from abroad. It would probably make sense to have a carnet. Again, if you look as if you're going on holiday (No hardcases or tripod tubes etc) you should probably be fine, but it's quite risky.

If you decide to rent, drop me a line and I can help you out. Own a Dragon and I've got a base in Amsterdam and Hamburg so I can easily get you what you need.

Phil
 
Its not true that you dont need a visa if you are working for US company. You need an invetation from someone that you are coming over,... And a media visa... Its complicated. Its the same if you are from europe filming in US.
 
Carnet! It protects you and your kit. If being delayed by having to submit a carnet is un acceptable then imagine how you might look when the kit gets impounded by customs as you enter the eu. I don't think the client would see the delay to their schedule as professiona!
 
Uros Zuraj said:
Its not true that you dont need a visa if you are working for US company. You need an invetation from someone that you are coming over,... And a media visa... Its complicated. Its the same if you are from europe filming in US.
Click to expand...

We're just shooting for one day. Interviews and B-Roll. Would we really need a media visa for something like that?

I'm in the process of getting a carnet. I'll travel with a low key stills kit all day but my full Epic package make me a little nervous without the proper paperwork.

Thanks for the input everyone,

- Jan
 
If you travel with the ' kit ' in a normal looking backpack like I do , you have zero trouble.
Many people travel with cameras of all kinds. It's just another frikking camera, not some super advanced made of gold nuclear device.
And it's Europe not some shady 3rd world ghetto country where they like to shake down people.
I was in Europe several weeks ago, and they didn't even have a place that I could see to even look at bags. Leaving, however, I got the whole swabbing for explosive materials pat down.
If you travel with all kinds of anvil cases, they may attract attention and label you as a pro. Stay tourist looking.
 
The Carnet is bonded and a record of the equipment coming and going from each destination. Its not about ownership. Its about making sure the equipment you take out is returned and not sold abroad. You can put al your equipment, every piece on one carnet and then have lines omitted when you travel. The outgoing customs will stamp the sheet with the lines omitted. No need for another Carnet.
 
Yeah i usually do it as a tourist too but got in trouble once... Now i have a stamp in my passport forever. But even working for one day is working even if its b-roll... Just want to make clear what rules are
 
Les Dittert said:
If you travel with the ' kit ' in a normal looking backpack like I do , you have zero trouble.
Many people travel with cameras of all kinds. It's just another frikking camera, not some super advanced made of gold nuclear device.
And it's Europe not some shady 3rd world ghetto country where they like to shake down people.
I was in Europe several weeks ago, and they didn't even have a place that I could see to even look at bags. Leaving, however, I got the whole swabbing for explosive materials pat down.
If you travel with all kinds of anvil cases, they may attract attention and label you as a pro. Stay tourist looking.
Click to expand...

Rules are rules, and if you take a chance and get caught, the consequences can be bad anywhere in the world, not just in a "shady 3rd world ghetto country" (nice choice of words, Mr Dittert)

A few years ago I was coming back from a trip to the middle east, travelling back to my home in the UK. The production company had not sorted out a very simple and free document that we can use as UK nationals when travelling with kit to non carnet countries called a "duplicate list" . I mentioned that we could be in trouble when coming back into uk to the producer at the airport when we flew out, but he said don't worry, we will be fine. Well, on arrival back at Heathrow on xmas eve, we got pulled over by customs as we tried to exit the green channel. They were initially going to confiscate the kit, as they said they had done to a BBC crew the previous week who tried the same stunt without proper documentation, so they said that we could leave if we paid the Vat and import duty on over £ 150,000 worth of kit. They didn't take credit cards, it had to be from a bank card which would transfer the money directly. The production company was closed as it was xmas eve, so no joy there. I spoke to my bank and they transferred enough money to my bank card to pay the £ 30,000 that was required. I got all my money and costs back, but I am not sure that the production company ever did.

If it is a professional job, act professional and get the production to pay for what is required.
 
I have done it all 3 ways: With a Carnet, Without a Carnet, and Hiring Kit. The more kit you bring, the more your look "professional" ... the more you need a Carnet. If it is just you, your camera and an extra lens in your backpack, then you can "probably" get by without a Carnet if you look like "Joe Tourist" who happens to have a fancy camera. (But be prepared for the security people to take a close look at your camera ... I have had my camera swabbed several times, since it doesn't look like a typical camera that they see in carry on luggage.) Hiring Kit is obviously the easiest way to go, if you can afford it and what you want/need is available locally.

The other issue is working in a foreign country without the proper visa or work permit. If you are traveling with an EU passport and working in a EU country, then it probably is not an issue. If not, then it might be something that you may want to look at in advance ... just in case.



Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0
CY 135.2.8

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8
 
Bill,

Thank you for your feedback. I've traveled with approx $15K of still photography gear to Germany and France, acting like Joe Tourist, and have had no problems.

We'll will be traveling with several Pelican/Storm cases and will look anything BUT like Joe Tourist. I'm getting the carnet, let the production pay for it, and will be traveling with a German passport, so I hope we won't raise any red flags.

Thanks,

- Jan
 
2 weeks ago, Traveling back from Argentina to the US, the production did not use a Carnet...they did pay a guy/service to get through customs in and out of Argentina. But coming back into the US with 10 Pelicans and 5 oversized long cases, all gear got Impounded in Houston, TX. It took the producers a few days to find and show all purchase receipts and get the gear back.

I was just happy none of it was my Kit!

Don't under estimate the US Customs offiicals...they don't mess around.

-dane
 
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