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

[Jan Balster]

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

Hey Dane,

Thank you for your input.

I've done the US customs thing, where I'd list all the gear on a US customs form, take it to their office and have them stamp it. That way there is no problem getting back to the US but the part I'm concerned with is getting into Germany and Denmark without any hiccups. Don't really have time for hiccups. So, Carnet it is.

- Jan

 

[Björn Benckert]

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.

Not true.

 

[Uros Zuraj]

Bjorn thats what they told me and i got stamped "on parole" in my passport and had to get media visa... As we were filming an event and took footage back home