Traveling with Scarlet internationally // TSA // Customs

[Jeremy Snell]

Hi All -

I will be traveling to Africa in December and was wondering what advice you would have for taking my Scarlet kit. This will not be a work related trip, purely tourism/vacation - I just thought I'd bring along my new RED, along with my DSLR to get some footage.

My setup is pretty small and it all fits inside a thinktank airport accelerator bag. Just scarlet-x brain, sidehandle, two 160mH GMP Batts, two redvolts, monitor, media, and lenses. I'll probably throw in my 5Dmkiii in there as well.

Will I have to fill anything out with customs or immigrations prior to the flight, or at the airport? I'm not sure if this is a declarable item or not. I just don't want anything confiscated. I've traveled to Africa with my DSLRs before, just never with RED. Also, from what I've read in previous threads, two 160mH batteries should be fine to carry on, correct?

Any help/thoughts/links would be greatly appreciated!

Jeremy

 

[Curt Pair]

I contact the embassy of the country you're visiting. See if you need a carnet. Then I'd call US Customs. You may only need paperwork to bring it BACK into the US. Generally, you have to fill out a form, create a list of the gear you're taking with serial numbers and pricing... take all the gear to US Customs and then they stamp the paperwork. That's to GET HOME! Each country requires different thing to get in and out too... only Consuls and Embassy's can help you with that...

Good luck, (It's not all that hard, I swear!)

 

[J Taylor]

One issue you'll run into is the weight of your carry-on, I'm assuming you're not checking it.

I've found that going early to the check-in desk and letting them know you have expensive equipment you can't check and asking them to allow you to carry it on helps, but depending on the airline there are different weight restrictions. Don't take no for an answer though, I've traveled all over with my gear and I've always been able to carry it on, even when it weighs 40 lbs.

 

[Jeremy Snell]

Thanks for all the info curt.

That sounds like a lot of work. Though, I definitely would rather take precautionary measures. Is there a USD value limit for items to clear customs? I've never had to do this when carrying large amounts of DSLR gear abroad. I just wonder if it is worth the risk and effort since this is not a work related trip. I do want it with me though.


J Taylor -

I don't imagine the weight being that much of a deal. I have carried on 40lbs on my back before. Just gotta make it appear lighter

 

[Abiodun Shote]

Which country in Africa are you coming? Jeremy

 

[Jeremy Snell]

Suradtaylor - Nigeria, actually. I see from your profile it says you are located there. This is why I love REDuser.
Any tips on bringing your Scarlet through customs?

Which country in Africa are you coming? Jeremy

 

[Abiodun Shote]

Got a few friends in customs, I could help you ask them for a tip or two, will get back to you before the end of the day. You can also ask Dan McCain, he's on this forum and he's quite BIG here (and I want to presume he moves across borders alot). He's got a base here and LA, you might want to contact him, he might be able to chime in.

Dan's website's got his contact www.mpintl.us

 

[Jeremy Snell]

Thank you so much! Really Appreciate the help.
I'll try to send Dan McCain a DM as well.

When you ask your friends, make sure they know this is not a work related trip. The Scarlet would just be for me to take some beautiful footage for personal use.

 

[Abiodun Shote]

:thumbup1:

 

[Abiodun Shote]

Just got off the phone with one of my friends, says, you need to DECLARE the camera at point of entry otherwise you won't be allow to take them out. He says you have no issues as long as the items are not of commercial quantities and in this case more than 1 unit of each particular camera otherwise you need to pay duties. Basically, you are free to come in with 1 unit of scarlet, 5d etc and do just declaration at point of entry without any duties. Will also reconfirm from others and try see if there's can any documentation to support/help this.