2007Cases/Carts/Stands and Transport forum
Risks and handling procedures for shipping film equipment through international customs inspections
19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Equipment shipped through cargo companies may be opened and repacked by customs without care for original organization, potentially damaging delicate arrangements
- Attending a customs inspection in person allows you to explain equipment to inspectors and observe how items are repacked, reducing the risk of damage or loss
- TSA-accessible locks with combination mechanisms are available but provide only minimal deterrence, as they can be easily broken and are not reliably replaced after inspection
- Some countries do not recognize ATA Carnets as valid documentation and may assess taxes or handling fees regardless of paperwork
- Using equipment brokers or customs clearing services can help avoid problems during international shipping
- Customs officials in some regions may engage in bribery or extortion as standard practice
- Items can go missing during return inspections at departure even after successful incoming customs clearance
- Zip-ties left on cases as tamper indicators are often not replaced by customs after inspection
Depends on
- Examples are primarily from Mexico, Indonesia, and United States TSA procedures; practices may differ in other countries
- Some claims about corruption and theft are anecdotal and based on specific incidents rather than systematic documentation
- The discussion does not provide data on frequency of loss or damage across different shipping methods
- Specific technical details about why certain items were confiscated are not always provided