Delhi airport/camera check

Spanky · Nov 21st, 2007, 07:52

My dental hygienist, who is originally from Gujarat, told me yesterday that I should be prepared for possible hassle at IGI when I bring my (rather expensive) digital SLR through customs/security. She said unscrupulous agents may ask that I pay a "tax" to bring the camera through with the assumption that I may try to sell it in India. She advised that I insist that I will not be selling the camera, and refuse to pay.

Thoughts? Thanks!

BTW, I believe it's generally not smart to take photos at airports, train stations and metro stations in India. However, these places can be gold mines for photog and I'd like to attempt it if possible. Should I forget about it?

Darmabum · Nov 21st, 2007, 08:42

which you probably won't/DEFINITELY shouldn't, ask to see his/her supervisor . . . if they refuse, ask LOUDER (that'll get the supervisor there, like it or not

. . . but, most likely, nothing should happen. Last time I brought in a lap top, video camera and still camera . . . nobody blinked.

And yeah, while train stations, airports and the like make great photo-fodor, the risk is up to you. Airports, for me, are a no-no . . . but train stations, hmmmm . . . make up your mind for yourself . . . it'll either feel good or it won't . . . if it doesn't, save your film/photo-chip space for the rest of India . . . plenty there to shoot . . .

Spanky · Nov 21st, 2007, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darmabum

which you probably won't/DEFINITELY shouldn't, ask to see his/her supervisor . . . if they refuse, ask LOUDER (that'll get the supervisor there, like it or not

. . . but, most likely, nothing should happen. Last time I brought in a lap top, video camera and still camera . . . nobody blinked.

And yeah, while train stations, airports and the like make great photo-fodor, the risk is up to you. Airports, for me, are a no-no . . . but train stations, hmmmm . . . make up your mind for yourself . . . it'll either feel good or it won't . . . if it doesn't, save your film/photo-chip space for the rest of India . . . plenty there to shoot . . .

Ok thanks Darmabum. I planned to use my judgement when taking photos at train stations, etc, but I thought I had read something about this being a particular no-no in India (ie authorities will not like it).

the opoponax · Nov 22nd, 2007, 01:32

One of the scariest things I ever did was whip out my camera to take "OMG We're In Italy!" shots of my high school buddies in the lineup at customs in the Rome airport. I was immediately mobbed by huge soldiers in full gear, brandishing AK-47s in my face, seemingly speaking not a word of English besides "No Camera! No Camera!" The lesson? No photography in international airports, ever.

rangss · Nov 22nd, 2007, 01:59

Keep the cameras off at railway stations unless aiming harmlessly amongst yourselves. The railway police are entirely different species (and on the dumber side). They will work out a ruse to squeeze money out of you or haul you to the klinker!

edwardseco · Nov 22nd, 2007, 03:20

The worst that will happen is that they will make a notation in your passport so that on exit its possible but not very likely they would check if you still have it..

Shaktipalooza · Nov 22nd, 2007, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanky

My dental hygienist, who is originally from Gujarat, told me yesterday that I should be prepared for possible hassle at IGI when I bring my (rather expensive) digital SLR through customs/security. She said unscrupulous agents may ask that I pay a "tax" to bring the camera through with the assumption that I may try to sell it in India. She advised that I insist that I will not be selling the camera, and refuse to pay.

Oh fun, this should be interesting as I'll be bringing about 20k worth of gear in three months...

There has been a good deal of discussion some camera forums about people bringing gear back into the United States. One pro nearly had his gear confiscated until he could provide documentation that it was purchased in the US and he was not importing. So, this isn't necessarily an 'only in India' situation.

edwardseco · Nov 27th, 2007, 02:44

Yup, carried my receipts with me first time as it was brand new. Forgot that example later but was passed on through..

Dilliwala · Nov 27th, 2007, 03:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanky

My dental hygienist, who is originally from Gujarat, told me yesterday that I should be prepared for possible hassle at IGI when I bring my (rather expensive) digital SLR through customs/security. She said unscrupulous agents may ask that I pay a "tax" to bring the camera through with the assumption that I may try to sell it in India. She advised that I insist that I will not be selling the camera, and refuse to pay.

If it's an expensive camera, show it to Customs on arrival. If necessary, they will make a notation in your pp, which u show to the guys on duty at departure. With that, there's no chance of u being aked for a bribe, regardless of the camera's value.
For cheap cams (and most electronic stuff), they no longer bother u. Your DH hasn't passed thru Delhi in a long, long time, evidently.

Nov 21st, 2007, 07:52	#1
Spanky Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: US (San Jose) Posts: 113	Delhi airport/camera check My dental hygienist, who is originally from Gujarat, told me yesterday that I should be prepared for possible hassle at IGI when I bring my (rather expensive) digital SLR through customs/security. She said unscrupulous agents may ask that I pay a "tax" to bring the camera through with the assumption that I may try to sell it in India. She advised that I insist that I will not be selling the camera, and refuse to pay. Thoughts? Thanks! BTW, I believe it's generally not smart to take photos at airports, train stations and metro stations in India. However, these places can be gold mines for photog and I'd like to attempt it if possible. Should I forget about it?

Nov 21st, 2007, 08:42	#2
Darmabum Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: in the mountains of Idaho Posts: 764	If you get hassled, which you probably won't/DEFINITELY shouldn't, ask to see his/her supervisor . . . if they refuse, ask LOUDER (that'll get the supervisor there, like it or not . . . but, most likely, nothing should happen. Last time I brought in a lap top, video camera and still camera . . . nobody blinked. And yeah, while train stations, airports and the like make great photo-fodor, the risk is up to you. Airports, for me, are a no-no . . . but train stations, hmmmm . . . make up your mind for yourself . . . it'll either feel good or it won't . . . if it doesn't, save your film/photo-chip space for the rest of India . . . plenty there to shoot . . . __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

Nov 22nd, 2007, 01:59	#5
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,829	Keep the cameras off at railway stations unless aiming harmlessly amongst yourselves. The railway police are entirely different species (and on the dumber side). They will work out a ruse to squeeze money out of you or haul you to the klinker! __________________ ...and I took the road less travelled.

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Nov 22nd, 2007, 01:32	#4
the opoponax Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brooklyn, via New Orleans Posts: 1,054	One of the scariest things I ever did was whip out my camera to take "OMG We're In Italy!" shots of my high school buddies in the lineup at customs in the Rome airport. I was immediately mobbed by huge soldiers in full gear, brandishing AK-47s in my face, seemingly speaking not a word of English besides "No Camera! No Camera!" The lesson? No photography in international airports, ever.

Nov 22nd, 2007, 03:20	#6
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,588	The worst that will happen is that they will make a notation in your passport so that on exit its possible but not very likely they would check if you still have it..

Nov 27th, 2007, 02:44	#8
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,588	Yup, carried my receipts with me first time as it was brand new. Forgot that example later but was passed on through..

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