DVX Manual for Air Travel with Your Accessories and Production Equipment
 - Your DVX100 Film Production Gear and International Customs

Part 3 of a Special 3-Part Series
by Thomas Whitman 

Customs Form

I’ve traveled quite a number of times overseas with my DVX movie equipment and experienced different encounters with customs officials. Usually, before or upon arrival at your destination when traveling internationally, the flight attendants will hand you a “customs form”. You’ll have to fill out the customs form listing all of your travel possessions and its monetary value. You also have to answer survey questions such as how long you plan to stay at your destination, how many people you’re traveling with, if you’re traveling for business or pleasure, etc.

Document of Ownership and Purpose

It would also be a good idea to bring with you a signed document with your company/personal letterhead stating that all of the movie production equipment that you’re traveling with is actually yours, kind of like an inventory list. You should have serial numbers to all of your production gear as well as the quantity of each item and your contact info. I’ve encountered this scenario only once at a customs checkpoint and did not have such a document with me, but after a long explanation that I was in town to shoot a video production for my client, things were fine.

The purpose for the document is for customs officials to confirm that you’re not trying to sell the gear and cheat the system by not having to pay tax on the imported goods that you have with you. I don’t know if this is standard practice for international customs now, but because it’s happened to me only once, I’d suggest for you to take precautions anyway. I mean, the last thing you need is to have all of your DVX100 accessories, film production gear and maybe even your clothes confiscated at the customs checkpoint.

Knowledge is Power – BE SMART

The more you know about what is involved when it comes to air travel security and what is and isn’t allowed in cargo, the better. Most of it is just common sense. For example, let’s say you’re on your way to Hawaii for a production. You’re carrying the movie props of weapon replicas (airsoft guns or swords, etc). Well, first thing’s first. Don’t even get yourself in that predicament. Be sure what you take with you is allowed and that you do the proper research before even checking your production equipment in.

For the most part, film production gear isn’t a problem at all. When it comes to carrying unusual movie props that are a little harder to explain such as gun and knife replicas, then you can most likely kiss them goodbye at the customs counter. To find out what items are prohibited on an airline, visit their company website. You can also research prohibited item guidelines as per the TSA here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1012.shtm

continued on next page: DVX Travel

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