Camera equipment and customs checks

Iwan Bogels · Post by **Iwan Bogels** » 18 Nov 2007, 14:29

Hi guys,

Here’s a spin-off question from this topic.

We all leave Holland many times for trips and holidays, taking our camera gear with us. Coming back to Holland we may be checked by customs, and they may be asking you to prove that you bought your camera equipment here in Holland (e.g. that you paid BTW and import taxes).

As there is a discussion about buying camera gear in the USA, where camera’s and lenses are now about 25% cheaper than in Holland because of the extremely low Dollar, I wonder about the customs issue. Therefor my question is:

Who has ever been checked by customs and had to prove the origins of their camera / lenses ?

Curious regards,
Iwan Bogels

Iwan Bogels · Post by **Iwan Bogels** » 18 Nov 2007, 14:39

Being the one who sent in this poll, I think I should answer it myself first...

Travelling with camera equipment for over 25 years, I have never been asked by customs to explain the origins of my camera equipment.

Even in the 80's, when borders with Germany were still subject to customs checks, I was never checked. Even though at that time I did have a camera and lenses that were bought in Germany (prices in Germany were always lower in these days).

And even with the intensive air travel that I have done this century, I have never had anyone wonder about the origins of my equupment. So far they have never even bothered to inspect it when I entered the country....

So 25+ years of travelling experience, and never encountered problems with customs at any Dutch border.

Looking forward to see more replies, even if they are all positive.

Cheers,
Iwan

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 18 Nov 2007, 16:01

Hi Fooks,

Just past security check here in Italy and like Iwan NEVER had any problems about my equipment. Even to take it with me as handbagage, and that for 2x mkII with objectives etc. but that's another POLL to look after...

Back in about a few days and don't think I will have a checkup (I hope).

Key · Post by **Key** » 18 Nov 2007, 17:13

You already knew my answer. There is however no safety in numbers, although it seems pretty low-risk to take the gamble. I do know of pilots who could leave their watch and laptop at customs when coming home at Schiphol, to collect them next day with bills in hand...

Erik

Hans Rolink · Post by **Hans Rolink** » 19 Nov 2007, 17:11

Never had any problems at SPL. Nobody ever cared to look.
On a sidenote, I was checked twice for explosives by an official using some sticky tape, outbound from FMO. Only at FMO. Very strange....

Hans.

Flanker27 · Post by **Flanker27** » 19 Nov 2007, 18:56

I have also never been asked, but I wonder, nobody ever had troubles because of the size of a camera? (I mean, there are bigger ones than baseballbats).

Hans Rolink · Post by **Hans Rolink** » 19 Nov 2007, 19:09

I think they are used to cameras as such. The only thing that puzzled security at SPL once was the image tank in one of the side pouches of my bag. Obviously what they saw was a rectangular box filled with electronics. After showing and explaining, it was OK.

Hans.

DJMikey · Post by **DJMikey** » 20 Nov 2007, 08:44

I've only been checked by customs at Schiphol and Eindhoven once. It was probably a random check, they didn't ask questions.
At Heraklion my photobag has been checked after it went through the scanner. The security called me back to explain the contents of my bag while looking at the scanpicture. They were puzzled about my Sigmalens. Because of it's size the customsemployee didn't know what it was and I had to open the bag and explain. After that it was ok.

Grt, Mike.

Bassa · Post by **Bassa** » 20 Nov 2007, 09:00

I have only been checked coming back from the RIAT this year. When my friends and I left the train, the car was turned inside out and the only thing they where interested in was my image tank. After explaining what it was, we where free to go.

Delta12 · Post by **Delta12** » 20 Nov 2007, 09:24

I've neverbeen asked by customs about my gear. Only some security guy asked last year at ZRH what I was going to do with my scanner and I had to show my camera @ the check point for the visitor terrace.

Only one time I was approached by a guy of the customs when I got back from Tunisia my family had allready left the area with the baggage belts and left me alone I had 4 exactly the same bags on the baggage cart. While I was looking like some kind of drug runner with my khaki shorts and white shirt with hat and sunglasses. No wonder they picked me out for some questions fortunetly, 2 where enough and they let me go.

Alpha Kilo One · Post by **Alpha Kilo One** » 20 Nov 2007, 09:44

I only got questioned one time.
It was at the airport of Hanoi, Vietnam.

I think that they were interested in the equipment more, than seriously questioning......

Ronald

ps. But at Schiphol I was never questioned about my gear.

Iwan Bogels · Post by **Iwan Bogels** » 20 Nov 2007, 13:41

Hi guys,

So far the results of my poll look promising. Nevertheless I'm very curious about the one result were somebody has had to prove the origins of the camera. Would this guy/girl be so kind to write a little text with some more info please ? Thanks, as I'm very curious.

Next to that I'm surprised that this topic has been read about 400 times, and that the poll received only 26 votes.......

I hope more people will vote and / or write about their experiences.

Cheers,
Iwan

evhest · Post by **evhest** » 20 Nov 2007, 13:57

I have never been checked, but it doesn't really mather in my opinion. It only takes one check at precisely the right/wrong moment to spoil the party.

It's the reason I bought my 40D last week here in the Netherlands instead of in the US in the next few months. The 70 euro cashback also played a role, btw.

Richard from Rotterdam · Post by **Richard from Rotterdam** » 20 Nov 2007, 14:33

Apart from having my rental car literally taken apart by customs in England once, I have had several checks of my camera equipment.

In South Africa and Egypt customs wanted to see receipts, of which I had copies with me (always carry them).

Been checked once at Schiphol, where they wanted to see the receipts as well, returning from SA. Well judging from the age and state of my Nikon F90 there was nothing to worry about.

Returning from a USA trip at Rotterdam Airport, customs agents wanted to check my friend's suitcase, minutes after he handed me a backpack to hold while he fetched the suitcases. In the backpack were his new camera lens and a computer graphics card and joysticks, which I carried out without a problem. Back then they used to take out 2 people from every arriving flight.

canberra · Post by **canberra** » 20 Nov 2007, 15:55

Richard from Rotterdam wrote:In South Africa and Egypt customs wanted to see receipts, of which I had copies with me (always carry them).

Interesting as they don't have anything to say unless you have residence in either country.

Have been asked once in Copenhagen, told the truth that I bought it tax free in the States while living in Israel. Owned the camera more than 6 months before moving to Denmark (it then counts as moving goods which is tax free). No further questions and no proof asked.

/Michael

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