Packing Tips for Travel Photography
By Jay Hargett
Check www.tsa.gov and your airline’s Web site to figure out how you’ll need to divide your gear among carry-ons and check-through bags. Note that restrictions on lithium batteries were imposed on January 1, 2008.
Before you leave the house
It’s assumed that you’d have an itinerary, either from your travel agent or from resources like the Fodor’s Guides to places you want to visit. These things help you get the most out of your trip and still be able to get good pictures of it without having the enjoyment of the place or location be sacrificed. If not, then just be aware that you may need to make contingency plans for shooting purposes.
You should begin your planning with insurance of your cameras and equipment you plan to take with you with your insurance carrier. Be up front and honest with them, and tell them that you want to insure it for your trip. Most carriers will simply cover them on your homeowners/renters policy, and some with separate policies. Either way you’re covered for loss or theft of the equipment. You will need to get serial numbers, make, model and descriptions of all the gear you plan to take. Digital photos wouldn’t hurt, either. Then, you’ll need to go down to your local US Customs Office and get what’s called a “Certificate of Registration” for personal effects like this taken abroad. This is Form CF4457, and can only be acquired at the agency’s offices. You can locate your nearest US Customs Office at the following web address: www.customs.ustreas.gov. You must physically bring the equipment you plan to take to their offices for their inspection, and they will then confirm the information on the form and stamp it. This is done for the purposes of being able to get your gear back into the country without having to pay duty on your own equipment. Their stand is that just because you say you left the country with it, doesn’t mean you really did. This form proves that, and will make the possibility of potential problems go away. Travel insurance for travelers outside the U.S. is highly recommended, for the obvious reasons. You might also want to check with the CDC’s web site for health related issues, and the US State Department’s web site for travel advisories, and the FAA’s website for travel restrictions.
