Indian customs for documentary film gear

sb3 · Dec 21st, 2003, 02:50

Has anyone had experience bringing a filming gear into India? I don't have a ton of stuff, probably one daypacks worth + a tripod, but it looks more professional (and is) than what most tourist would have. (The camera is a sonyvx 2000) I 'll probably just say that I'm just a tourist, although I doubt customs will really believe that. So I'm debating on if I should put all of my gear into a daypack looking bag that actually has those velcro compartments made specifically for cameras - however with this option right when customs opens it they will see only camera gear... OR... should i get one of those regular camcorder bags and stuff that inside a regular daypack. ?? (The former would be much easier when shooting) Do they go thru everything, daypack and backpack?
Any advise on this or anything else related to shooting a film in India would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks.

sb3 · Dec 21st, 2003, 02:57

oops....ANY advise please.
don't really need any advise on ants!

Colin · Dec 21st, 2003, 02:58

In ten entries to India at both Delhi and Kolkata, I have never been searched, leaving either. Then again I have never been searched anywhere else either!
Must be my flourishing white beard.....

LuAnnandJawahar · Dec 21st, 2003, 04:29

Someone else will have better advice probably. If you can prove you brought it in, I don't believe you'll have any trouble taking it out. Don't SAY you are making film, though. I have had my luggage hand searched on more than one occasion leaving India, but they've never questioned anything.

pooch · Dec 21st, 2003, 21:46

Why not just declare on arrival ? which will only help make your departure facile.

neoncarrot · Dec 22nd, 2003, 06:22

I wouldnt bother saying anything. If they actually search your bag - which is incredibly unlikely - and accuse you of being a pro, just tell them yes you are, but you are on holiday. Even pro photographers are allowed them after all. I've walked through customs many times groaning under the weight of my severely overweight Billingham bag, containing a film scanner as well as cameras, plus a laptop and occasionally a tripod in hand and they have never paid me the slightest attention even after the obligatory xray of the bag. Considering the plane will be full of Indians with 40 times more baggage than you, much of which will be dutiable TVs, VCRs etc they are unlikely to notice you in any case.

IainC · Dec 22nd, 2003, 15:18

I have never had any problems either. I always take two bodies, four lenses and one hundred rolls of film. But my camera bag does not look like a camera bag. You might get asked some questions if you take internal flights.
IainC.

Dec 21st, 2003, 02:50	#1
sb3 Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: in the redwoods Posts: 9	Indian customs for documentary film gear Has anyone had experience bringing a filming gear into India? I don't have a ton of stuff, probably one daypacks worth + a tripod, but it looks more professional (and is) than what most tourist would have. (The camera is a sonyvx 2000) I 'll probably just say that I'm just a tourist, although I doubt customs will really believe that. So I'm debating on if I should put all of my gear into a daypack looking bag that actually has those velcro compartments made specifically for cameras - however with this option right when customs opens it they will see only camera gear... OR... should i get one of those regular camcorder bags and stuff that inside a regular daypack. ?? (The former would be much easier when shooting) Do they go thru everything, daypack and backpack? Any advise on this or anything else related to shooting a film in India would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks. Attached Images

Dec 21st, 2003, 04:29	#4
LuAnnandJawahar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Delhi/U.S. Posts: 663	Someone else will have better advice probably. If you can prove you brought it in, I don't believe you'll have any trouble taking it out. Don't SAY you are making film, though. I have had my luggage hand searched on more than one occasion leaving India, but they've never questioned anything. __________________ Reject violence.

Dec 22nd, 2003, 06:22	#6
neoncarrot Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Manali, India Posts: 84	I wouldnt bother saying anything. If they actually search your bag - which is incredibly unlikely - and accuse you of being a pro, just tell them yes you are, but you are on holiday. Even pro photographers are allowed them after all. I've walked through customs many times groaning under the weight of my severely overweight Billingham bag, containing a film scanner as well as cameras, plus a laptop and occasionally a tripod in hand and they have never paid me the slightest attention even after the obligatory xray of the bag. Considering the plane will be full of Indians with 40 times more baggage than you, much of which will be dutiable TVs, VCRs etc they are unlikely to notice you in any case. __________________ Photo galleries, essays, travel tips and India statistics at: Neoncarrot India travelog

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Dec 21st, 2003, 02:57	#2
sb3 Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: in the redwoods Posts: 9	oops....ANY advise please. don't really need any advise on ants!

Dec 21st, 2003, 02:58	#3
Colin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pai, Mae Hong Son, Thailand Posts: 208	In ten entries to India at both Delhi and Kolkata, I have never been searched, leaving either. Then again I have never been searched anywhere else either! Must be my flourishing white beard.....

Dec 21st, 2003, 21:46	#5
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Middle East <---->India Posts: 384	Why not just declare on arrival ? which will only help make your departure facile.

Dec 22nd, 2003, 15:18	#7
IainC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London Posts: 194	I have never had any problems either. I always take two bodies, four lenses and one hundred rolls of film. But my camera bag does not look like a camera bag. You might get asked some questions if you take internal flights. IainC.