Bringing video equipment into India

Michael Hess · Jul 14th, 2009, 11:06

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and am very thankful for anyone's insight into the following issue. We are a photo/video company based in the US traveling abroad to shoot a client's wedding in Udaipur (planning to land in Delhi). The client and their families live here in the US as well. We were planning to arrive with tourist visas, as our cameras are not that large and could be considered "prosumer."

The issue we are grappling with: we are also bringing a large jib - this packs into two large rolling plastic cases (about 80lbs each). We got the Ok from the airline - the issue is customs. Inside you would find a series of painted metal parts that assemble into a long boom-like contraption - at the end the camera attaches (like a mini Hollywood camera crane).

Does our jib operator (do we all?) need a business visa? Employment visa? Is a tourist visa ok? We are shooting in India for about a week, then we head back to the states w/ everything we brought.

What should we expect to encounter at customs with the jib? What should we prepare for (docs, etc)? Any insight and/or information to help us would be MUCH appreciated.

Trip planned for late September '09...

Thanks!!

Nick-H · Jul 14th, 2009, 11:42

Can of worms!

You are coming to work here, which is not permitted on a tourist visa. No, I don't think you can legally do this on a tourist visa.

You are coming to film here, which requires special permission.

If it wasn't for the obviously-pro bit of equipment, you might well never get noticed...

(Disclaimer: not a lawyer or a professional... just my opinion)

curtdfw · Jul 14th, 2009, 20:46

As in many countries, anything unusual or uncommon gets the attention of Indian customs, and your jib boom certainly qualifies. Actually, in my experience anything in a custom case (e.g., not obviously consumer-grade baggage) of any sort gets attention.

Have you looked into rentals? Given India's massive film and media industry, it might be an option. I Googled 'rent film jib boom delhi' and got this right off the bat:

http://www.cine-dreams.com/equipments.html

fsg · Jul 14th, 2009, 22:17

I, on a tourist visa got hauled up at customs as I took a load of gifts for kids @£1 a pop in a box which had previously held a printer.
Told them I was going to visit an orphanage and got away without opening the box

Wow at 80 lb for the booms you are chancing it bigtime

I hope you being well paid for this enterprise

Jul 14th, 2009, 11:06	#1
Michael Hess Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: California Posts: 4	Bringing video equipment into India Hello, I'm new to the forum and am very thankful for anyone's insight into the following issue. We are a photo/video company based in the US traveling abroad to shoot a client's wedding in Udaipur (planning to land in Delhi). The client and their families live here in the US as well. We were planning to arrive with tourist visas, as our cameras are not that large and could be considered "prosumer." The issue we are grappling with: we are also bringing a large jib - this packs into two large rolling plastic cases (about 80lbs each). We got the Ok from the airline - the issue is customs. Inside you would find a series of painted metal parts that assemble into a long boom-like contraption - at the end the camera attaches (like a mini Hollywood camera crane). Does our jib operator (do we all?) need a business visa? Employment visa? Is a tourist visa ok? We are shooting in India for about a week, then we head back to the states w/ everything we brought. What should we expect to encounter at customs with the jib? What should we prepare for (docs, etc)? Any insight and/or information to help us would be MUCH appreciated. Trip planned for late September '09... Thanks!!

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Jul 14th, 2009, 11:42	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	Can of worms! You are coming to work here, which is not permitted on a tourist visa. No, I don't think you can legally do this on a tourist visa. You are coming to film here, which requires special permission. If it wasn't for the obviously-pro bit of equipment, you might well never get noticed... (Disclaimer: not a lawyer or a professional... just my opinion)

Jul 14th, 2009, 20:46	#3
curtdfw PIO Club Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: dallas, tx Posts: 461	As in many countries, anything unusual or uncommon gets the attention of Indian customs, and your jib boom certainly qualifies. Actually, in my experience anything in a custom case (e.g., not obviously consumer-grade baggage) of any sort gets attention. Have you looked into rentals? Given India's massive film and media industry, it might be an option. I Googled 'rent film jib boom delhi' and got this right off the bat: http://www.cine-dreams.com/equipments.html

Jul 14th, 2009, 22:17	#4
fsg Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: U.K Posts: 478	I, on a tourist visa got hauled up at customs as I took a load of gifts for kids @£1 a pop in a box which had previously held a printer. Told them I was going to visit an orphanage and got away without opening the box Wow at 80 lb for the booms you are chancing it bigtime I hope you being well paid for this enterprise