Panasonic DVX-100B Customs Regulations?

cifoster

Hi,

I'm doing a small, one-man-produced documentary in Kerala Dec 11-19th. I'm planning on bringing my Panasonic DVX-100B camera ($2700) a boom mic ($275) and smaller etc stuff. I don't know what the costums regulations are on these items, etc. Is there a form I need to fill out before hand, etc? I found this information:

Import Regulations: "High value" articles, particularly computers and camcorders, but also including cameras, typewriters, tape recorders, VCRs and other electronic items which a traveler brings to India must be declared on entry, be listed on the traveler's passport, and be duly exported at the conclusion of the visit., If "high value" items are not re-exported at the time of departure, duty must be paid. In the case of certain electronic and computer goods, duty can be as high as 100%.

how do you get things listed on a passport? etc? What do I need to do? This is a small documentary for my senior project in college. Thanks!

-CRiS

(sorry, I mean "customs" not "costumes" in the heading!)

atala

Getting it written into the Passport used to be the procedure, and could happen even with a simple camera years ago. Nowadays that everyone has cameras, laptops and all, customs does not care for such details anymore. At least not that I have ever heard of it.

Darmabum

I brought in a lap top . . . video camera . . . still camera . . . customs asked nothing. Perhaps actually declaring these items might come in handy should they be stolen, for official police paper work/insurance claims/etc., though I'm just speculating here.

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atala

I knew someone who financed their trip that way. Getting stuff stolen (i.e. sell), get a police report and then collect the insurance back home. Would not feel good to me, but someone callous enough...

lucyl

I dont think anyone will mind if your camera is dressed in a costume it might look quite good.

brownboy66

I'll have to keep an eye out for that documentary!

Nick-H

It's just a small but possibly vital point: do you have permission to make a documentary in India?

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crvlvr

No customs duty is levied on goods that are taken back out of India. They will list the items in your "passport" -- actually a seperate sheet of paper. When you leave, make sure you find a customs official and have them check the items off the list.

cifoster

do they make a big deal about it? i'm not planning on selling it anywhere once i make it. if i were to, however, how difficult is it to pull off? etc?

-CRiS

Nick-H

They make a big deal out of journalism of any sort. They make a big deal out of research students if the subject is social or political.

This is the UK (High Commission of India) page about it Your country's embassy may have similar or even conflicting information.

I'm sure people bring plenty of very expensive photographic kit into India "to film their trip". Just, if it looks really professional kit you might have a problem.

Not saying you will --- I don't know.

cifoster

My uncle, who is a world traveller for his company and has been to India 6 times, says that he would just walk straight through the "Green light" with everything and not bother. if i do that, will i have trouble getting my camera, etc, back to the US without reporting it somehow?

-CRiS

Nick-H

Travelling with your receipts should ensure you have no problems on the return trip, either in India or USA.

The only thing that worries me is that it sounds as if your kit looks professional.

But, on the whole, if I was you, I'd just go for that green channel advice!