Traveling with Video Gear

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huntster

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Hello all,

I've been traveling with 2 pelican cases of U/W video gear + dive gear and clothes for a while - kinda pressing the limits of the airlines - and was advised a while back that I should file a form with US Customs listing most of my gear with serial numbers. This isn't the usual form we fill in on the airplane but a more or less permanent document.

Has anybody heard of this or anything similar ?

Also, does anybody have any experience acquiring discounts for traveling with video gear ?

Thanks,
Huntster
 
huntster:
Hello all,

I've been traveling with 2 pelican cases of U/W video gear + dive gear and clothes for a while - kinda pressing the limits of the airlines - and was advised a while back that I should file a form with US Customs listing most of my gear with serial numbers. This isn't the usual form we fill in on the airplane but a more or less permanent document.

Has anybody heard of this or anything similar ?
Click to expand...
I think this is the form, I thought about doing it but I've never had any hassle bringing back my video gear/laptop/electronics.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/forms/4457.ctt/cbp_4457.pdf
 
Thanks a lot Steve. After checking with US Customs, this is exactly what I was looking for.

Huntster
 
I'm not quite sure what the purpose of this form truly is... can someone explain for me??? Is this meant to be a record of gear in case something gets lost or is this because gear is so expensive/work related gear? I don't get it. :confused:
 
It's to prove prior ownership of your gear in the U.S. so that you won't be charged customs duty on it when returning with it to the U.S.
 
aahhh, got it. Do you think all photographers/videographers should do this? Me and hubby travel with one pelican that contains both housings and his strobes, etc. (We carry-on the video and still cameras.)

robint
one month til Palau!
 
I don't see the point unless your gear looks all shiny new. I was never asked about it, even when mine was.

Of course if you're David Doubilet and travel with ports worth more than all my gear combined, it might be worth doing...:)
 
When traveling on film shoots as a producer or camera operator we have to go to the airport three to four hours early with a complete list of every item we are bringing in and what we will be bringing out. This is to ensure that we are not going to sell equipment when over there, and it is also a way to prove things for insurance.

It is a major hassel to do this because only large cities have this. For consumers and when I travel as a small film crew, not reporting that I am entering a country to work because of the permits required and the extra money needed to often grease palms...I don't do this. But I would highly recommend that you have a full list of your equipment with serial numbers for your purposes. You also want to look as inconspicuous as possible. Hard to do when traveling with so many cases, but not impossible...

Hope this helps clarify things...
 
Ok, I just got back from Belize. The diving was great - including the Blue Hole.

Before I left, I took the time to print out this form, take my video gear to the airport, and get the US Customs folks to sign it off. When I asked, they said there had been some changes in cusoms rules and the form was becomming a requirement. I then checked my gear and luggage, arrived in Belize, spent the week, then checked it all again to come home. No problems except that American had increased the overweight fee during the week. But when I arrived back in the US (DFW), the customs guy looked at my cases (2 Storm [like Pelican]) and told me I had to go into the inspection room. So I wheeled my stuff into the inspection room, told the inspector what was in the cases (friendly conversation) and presented the pre-signed form. He looked at me and said "You did good. You're done." He let me go without opening or even unpiling the cases from the cart. And he said the signed for was good forever - provided I didn't add anything to my kit that would require updating the form.
 
I'm guessing that none of this is needed when traveling to another state. I might be going to Oahu for work next month and wonder if it would speed up going through security with this form. Does everyone check their camera gear in or bring it on as an over sized carry on? When I traveled with my still camera setup I would bring it with me and check it in while boarding the plane. This way I could grab it as I got off the plane, even for domestic flights. But the Case for my video gear will most likely be much larger. I have a backpack built specifically for my camera, maybe that would be the way to go and check in the housing, now where to put my laptop....

Billy
 
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