Are Issues possible w/ India Customs DVX100a?

T

Terraform

Active member
Hello

I will be traveling to India to shoot a super small Doc.
a crew of one (me) and I will be traveling with
one Dvx100a
redrock M2
Fs-4 HD
2 mic's
tripod/head
a laptop
external HD's
and a Dslr with one lens.
other odds and ends

no lights or anything else.

I will need to be there for 5 months

will Customs give me a hard time with this amount of equipment?
I can fit most of it in a carry on bag. (except the tripod and odds and ends, and external hd's)

does anyone have any advice.

I am not affiliated with any business.
this is not for profit.
and I am not in school

thanks
 
Pack it the right way and I don't think it will cause any problems. Only been there once (can view the piece on my website), but I didn't have any issues.
 
When I first went there, I was advised by my hosts to not even try to bring my HVX, the customs/import duties would have been exorbitant. So, I took their advice; can't tell you how bad it would have been because I didn't try.
 
thanks for the advice, what about a carnet does anyone have experience with that?
I am under the impression that that would cover my ass in the wake of customs madness is that correct?
 
Carnet works fine, but if you go in as a tourist, I don't think you will have any problems. If you bring eight hard cases and three people with carry on shoulder bags that say "Porta Brace" etc, then someone might ask what you are doing and then start asking questions, but small and light you should be okay.
 
I just returned from India (mostly the Northern part, Himalayas, West Bengal, Bagdogra, Delhi, etc).

Not sure if you need a carnet, but running around disguised as a tourist is a very bad idea!

When I was in India last week I noticed that this is a tightly police-controlled state, especially if you travel close to the mountains in the North (which are highly disputed areas as all tribes strive for independence from India). Even as a tourist, you must tell the police where you are going/staying at all times. There's no way you can travel around freely and shoot at your own will. However, almost every village has a tourist information center and the people there work very hard to provide written permissions to go to certain areas. Keep a lot of change (in US-$) in your pockets as bribing a bit here & there gets you a long way. Sad but true. If you are in line (e.g., trying to check in for your next flight) you might stand in line forever as everyone will try to push past you. Instead, waive an airport employee, kindly ask if he/she can help you check in and slip him/her a bill and you are next in line. Indians are very friendly and love to help if you give a little in return.

A few smaller things: You cannot enter an airport building more than 3hr before your departure. With your valuable equipment, it would be a bad idea to hang around outside the airport building waiting for a flight. Keep a list of nearby hotels and stay there. Also keep a list of all VIP and "diplomatic" lounges at all airports. You slip a guy a $10 bill and all of a sudden you are allowed to kill time next to diplomats/celebrities in the air conditioned VIP lounge at a terminal. While you travel, I suggest that you hire a driver (don't drive yourself!) and/or a guide. Labor is very cheap in India, and having a local pave the way is priceless. Also, keep some water purifying tabs with you at all times and never ever drink tab water. When you buy bottled water, make sure that the seal is intact. The water could kill you. Don't even brush your teeth or shave with tap water! Before you throw away a plastic bottle, crush it so nobody can fill it up with tab water and sell it. Get vaccinated for malaria. Dress casually and low key. Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you at all times. You have no idea how filthy it can get there! Don't shake hands (you might have an idea what they do with their hands when they go to the bathroom as toilet paper is rare). It can be very dusty and hot, so you better pack your camera dust-proof. When you fly, keep your boarding pass with you at all times. They even check boarding passes on the tarmac when you leave a plane! If you don't find it, they send you straight back to where you came from.

Anyway, back to your original question: Surprisingly, airport security is much tighter than here in the US. You better go through official channels, get the proper visa and list of your equipment and places you want to travel approved by the Government before you start your jorney. Otherwise you could be in big trouble. Having an official invitation from a local Indian (or better: Indian authority) helps a lot.

Hope this didn't scare you. It is an amazing country and you'll love your trip! Report back when you return, ok?
 
I have been filming in India and can somewhat confirm Giganova. I have been mostly in the south and would not advise anybody to visit Kashmir and other border states without backing by a big TV station like ARD or BBC! And even then I would not do it and get a local cameraman instead. In the south its a lot more relaxed. If you want to film with a big camera you NEED permits! Even if you only film temples and mogul castles, set up a Sachtler and mount the camera and some cop wants to see your permissions! You can bribe your way to a certain extent but I wouldnt risk it: indian police is corrupt.

A Carnet, invitations and permissions are needed if you work officially. If you only film in private places and on the streets without raising a ruckus, bring a HVX and some accessoires in a small bag you shoudlnt have to worry.
 
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