Traveling to Peru at DVinfo.net

Phil Murray · January 19th, 2009, 06:43 PM

Has anyone taken an XH-A1 to Peru along with prosumer equipment? I'm looking to travel there in June and take a small tripod, a couple of mics, rain gear, etc. to do some simple shooting in the Amazon region -- some in the jungle fringe, but a lot in small villages on the river without a big set-up.

I'm concerned about customs and what they will allow in or if there is anything special I need to do before to make sure I won't be hassled at the airport.

I've traveled there a dozen times before in the last few years, but never with more than a photo camera or a small video camera. They say the camera must not be for professional use, but the XH-A1 is in that "in-between" area.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I might expect? (Odds are I won't have to go through the inspection process anyway, but you never know.)

Jo Ouwejan · January 28th, 2009, 06:21 AM

I was there with a Sony VX2000. Not the XH-A1, I know, but quite impressivetoo, when I went there. The precaution I took, was to make a copy of the purchase invoice and carry that in my case. As far as I understand it, you should only be able to show, that you carried the gear when you came in . . .

Phil Murray · January 28th, 2009, 07:31 PM

Thank you, Jo. I always carry info saying that I left the US with my equipment so I don't have hassles with U.S. customs when I return.

I am worried about customs officials (and customs duties) when I arrive in Peru.

Did they say anything about your camera when you arrived in Peru? I don't anticipate any problems, but I'd like to be sure.

Marc Burleigh · February 5th, 2009, 01:59 PM

Hi Phil,

I've been there a couple of times with equipment. The first time, with a prosumer set-up I managed to avoid the customs process because I hitched a ride with some Spanish firemen flying to an earthquake zone. The other times I went through with consumer cams that did the job (though with tripods, monopod and microphones), so there were no problems (even though for one trip I did take the precaution of registering all the electronic gear at a Peruvian consulate before travelling).

For an XH-A1, I'd register it before going. At Lima airport, they get you to press a button as you pass customs. If the light comes up red, you're sent to the x-ray scanner where they look at all your gear. If it's green you get to walk straight ahead. I got the impression the odds of being searched were about one in four. So probably best to get yourself to a consulate.

Phil Murray · February 5th, 2009, 05:57 PM

Thanks, Marc. I will probably go to the Peruvian consulate in Dallas and see if they can give me some guidance -- as well as something in writing for the customs guys at the airport!

I've been through the Lima airport about a dozen times in the past and have hit the unlucky "red" light 2-3 times so I've been through the screening before. I've always had consumer equipment including a tripod and microphones and they have never even looked twice at anything. In fact, one time I don't think they even looked at the x-ray monitor screen to see what I had in my bags.

When you say "register", do you mean register with Peruvian customs before leaving? Though I've traveled extensively with pro photo equipment, I haven't left the country with video equipment so I'm completely ignorant of the best way to go.

I have a friend pretty high in the narco-traffic division of the national police, so I thought about getting his help if I have any problems. Sometimes folks like that know the easiest way to smooth the way with foreign government agencies.

Thanks so much for your help and advice.

January 19th, 2009, 06:43 PM	#1
Phil Murray Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 375	Traveling to Peru Has anyone taken an XH-A1 to Peru along with prosumer equipment? I'm looking to travel there in June and take a small tripod, a couple of mics, rain gear, etc. to do some simple shooting in the Amazon region -- some in the jungle fringe, but a lot in small villages on the river without a big set-up. I'm concerned about customs and what they will allow in or if there is anything special I need to do before to make sure I won't be hassled at the airport. I've traveled there a dozen times before in the last few years, but never with more than a photo camera or a small video camera. They say the camera must not be for professional use, but the XH-A1 is in that "in-between" area. Does anyone have any ideas on what I might expect? (Odds are I won't have to go through the inspection process anyway, but you never know.)

January 28th, 2009, 06:21 AM	#2
Jo Ouwejan Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Veenendaal, Holland Posts: 225	I was there with a Sony VX2000. Not the XH-A1, I know, but quite impressivetoo, when I went there. The precaution I took, was to make a copy of the purchase invoice and carry that in my case. As far as I understand it, you should only be able to show, that you carried the gear when you came in . . .

January 28th, 2009, 07:31 PM	#3
Phil Murray Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 375	Thank you, Jo. I always carry info saying that I left the US with my equipment so I don't have hassles with U.S. customs when I return. I am worried about customs officials (and customs duties) when I arrive in Peru. Did they say anything about your camera when you arrived in Peru? I don't anticipate any problems, but I'd like to be sure.

February 5th, 2009, 01:59 PM	#4
Marc Burleigh Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 143	Hi Phil, I've been there a couple of times with equipment. The first time, with a prosumer set-up I managed to avoid the customs process because I hitched a ride with some Spanish firemen flying to an earthquake zone. The other times I went through with consumer cams that did the job (though with tripods, monopod and microphones), so there were no problems (even though for one trip I did take the precaution of registering all the electronic gear at a Peruvian consulate before travelling). For an XH-A1, I'd register it before going. At Lima airport, they get you to press a button as you pass customs. If the light comes up red, you're sent to the x-ray scanner where they look at all your gear. If it's green you get to walk straight ahead. I got the impression the odds of being searched were about one in four. So probably best to get yourself to a consulate.

February 5th, 2009, 05:57 PM	#5
Phil Murray Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cusco, Peru Posts: 375	Thanks, Marc. I will probably go to the Peruvian consulate in Dallas and see if they can give me some guidance -- as well as something in writing for the customs guys at the airport! I've been through the Lima airport about a dozen times in the past and have hit the unlucky "red" light 2-3 times so I've been through the screening before. I've always had consumer equipment including a tripod and microphones and they have never even looked twice at anything. In fact, one time I don't think they even looked at the x-ray monitor screen to see what I had in my bags. When you say "register", do you mean register with Peruvian customs before leaving? Though I've traveled extensively with pro photo equipment, I haven't left the country with video equipment so I'm completely ignorant of the best way to go. I have a friend pretty high in the narco-traffic division of the national police, so I thought about getting his help if I have any problems. Sometimes folks like that know the easiest way to smooth the way with foreign government agencies. Thanks so much for your help and advice.