Traveling - Proof of ownership

[ANGUS]

Well first of all im not sure where to post this so its here and in the general talk about photography section. Im planning on travelling with my entire gear list through Africa later this year and early next year. The advise i was given by the travel company was to bring proof or ownership with me in the form of a receipt etc so the customs dont want to seize it thinking its stollen etc. I dont have receipts for all my gear and there is no way i would travel something that has a statement of their value with me. I was simply wondering what my options are in this regard

Thanks.

[Mike R]

Try to contact African customs in advance of your trip to advise them of what gear you are bringing? Let them know that what you here told about the possibilty of your gear being seized by them. Bring a copy of all email/letters with you.

[ANGUS]

The only problem i see with that is travveling through a few African countries but it could be worth giving it a try, should i itemize everything be serial number in the emails?

[Mike R]

If the risk of seizure is high, I would. Maybe even take a photo of your gear with you.
If you have your gear registered with Canon, maybe they can supply proof of ownership. That would at least cover the most expensive stuff.

[PhotosGuy]

Used to be, & maybe still is possible to stop at customs & fill out a form showing what you're taking out of the country so you could bring it back without problems.
Look in your phone book for Customs Brokers & see what options you have there.

Customs form for registering cam equipment leaving the US.
http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_4457.pdf

Question about coming back into US with all the Camera gears!!
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=131825

[amfoto1]

Hi,

I don't know if they have the exact same service in Australia as they do here in the US, but when I travel internationally I register all my more expensive gear by serial number in advance with my local customs office and they provide me with a certified addendum to my passport. I have to take all the equipment along to the customs office when I do this, so that they can confirm it. It's pretty standard procedure.

The problem is not so much going from country to country, as it is returning home. The main reason for the inventory list is so that US Customs will know it's not stuff I bought while traveling and owe import duties on.

Of course, that official equipment inventory could also act as proof of ownership anywhere else along the route. I've never actually had anyone question me about that, though.

Theft and damage loses are a much bigger concern, I think. "Official" seizure of equipment in a challenge of ownership might be considered theft. I dunno.

So some additional equipment insurance might be a good idea, and might help. But I'd guess that the details of arranging insurance vary from home country to home country, too. Here I can get a temporary rider added, increasing my coverage just during the actual term of the trip.

[PhotosGuy]

Angus, if/when you start duplicate threads, it's a violation of the FORUM RULES (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/rules.php), so notify us with the "Report Post" http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/buttons/report.gif under the sig at the left & the first mod to see it will take care of it.

I've merged the threads.

[steved110]

I would suggest you register the serial numbers of everything you take out of your country with your home customs service - there will be a provision for this. This will make your return home simpler.

I would also insure your gear if you can - accidents happen, theft is common. A certificate of insurance listing items and serial numbers would go a long way to proving you owned the gear before you left home.

There is little point contacting 'African customs' - there ain't no such organisation - each country has it's own border controls. Generally as a tourist you won't be hassled about your private property so long as your visas are in order. You might make yourself a target for theft and for opportunistic shake down - spurious attempts to confiscate gear/ demand 'duty' etc - so research carefully before you go, keep your eyes wide open and take due care.

[ANGUS]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, i will try find a way to get it registered with Australian customs. I have full insurance that does not need itemisation however it is not a speedy process and there is nothing i can afford to lose while on the trip as it will mean missed photos.

Angus, if/when you start duplicate threads, it's a violation of the FORUM RULES (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/rules.php), so notify us with the "Report Post" http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/buttons/report.gif under the sig at the left & the first mod to see it will take care of it.

I've merged the threads.

Very sorry about that i wasnt aware it was a breach of the rules outside the Buy and Sell area. Thanks for merging it.

[fishfoto]

You need a Carnet if there is an issue. Each country issues their own Carnet, but it is what you need if you suspect there will be a problem. A Carnet isa guarantee that what you bring in is what you will be bringing out. This proves ownership and eliminates import taxes.

While each countries issuing of a Carnet is different, I wrote about this for Popular Photography Magazine earlier in the year here :
http://flash.popphoto.com/blog/2008/02/letter-of-the-4.html