Flying into San Jose Del Cabo w/Cam gear...

[Sideways]

I heard a couple years ago they were gouging UW photographers for camera gear fees. Any updates on this practice?? Thanks.

 

[MrBigfins]

Yes they are still doing it. Was there in May and they attempted it with me and were successful in extorting another on my boat for $600

 

[Sideways]

Yes they are still doing it. Was there in May and they attempted it with me and were successful in extorting another on my boat for $600

Well that's discouraging. Did you have your gear spread out through your checked luggage? Carry-on? How did they determine the fee?

 

[MrBigfins]

Well that's discouraging. Did you have your gear spread out through your checked luggage? Carry-on? How did they determine the fee?

My gear was in carryon and personal bag and was just a tg5 with housing, strobe, video light and wide angle lens. They asked if I had any professional camera gear and I answered no (truthful in my opinion, but not in theirs) the gentleman on out boat who got delayed and hit with the $600 (reduced from 1200 after a discussion with aggressor company rep) had a much more serious setup in a pelican case. Apparently the cost is a percentage of retail value, but in reality it's an arbitrary gringo tax

 

[O-ring]

My gear was in carryon and personal bag and was just a tg5 with housing, strobe, video light and wide angle lens. They asked if I had any professional camera gear and I answered no (truthful in my opinion, but not in theirs) the gentleman on out boat who got delayed and hit with the $600 (reduced from 1200 after a discussion with aggressor company rep) had a much more serious setup in a pelican case. Apparently the cost is a percentage of retail value, but in reality it's an arbitrary gringo tax

In your opinion will it be smooth sailing for me with a GoPro and a Halcyon Focus can light? My strategy was to argue that the light isn't photo/video equipment (it isn't), but could see how they might think it is.

 

[Sideways]

Sounds to me that GoPro's are OK.. They might go after your lights though. I will have my GH5 Nauticam housing but am leaving my lights and strobes at home. Luckily the GH5 has great manual white balance. So I might get tagged for my housing and small dome port. From everything I've read one of the keys is to not look like a diver. Non-diver luggage, no dive knapsacks and pelican cases. Then just pray for the green light.

 

[MrBigfins]

Yea should be good with a good, keep lights attached to avoid any issues

 

[shucksun]

xx

 

[PR_SMITH]

My gear was in carryon and personal bag and was just a tg5 with housing, strobe, video light and wide angle lens. They asked if I had any professional camera gear and I answered no (truthful in my opinion, but not in theirs) the gentleman on out boat who got delayed and hit with the $600 (reduced from 1200 after a discussion with aggressor company rep) had a much more serious setup in a pelican case. Apparently the cost is a percentage of retail value, but in reality it's an arbitrary gringo tax

Great reason to dive elsewhere.

 

[peterak]

Any first person updates on this?