Please provide advance notice if planning to travel with equipment. The user must book an appointment with a Production Office staff member to discuss what equipment is desired and proper packing methods.

Traveling internationally? When reserving the equipment, please inform Production Office staff so that we can provide an itemized, serialized and authorized check-out confirmation to use during the customs process.

Carry-On vs. Checked Bag

If it is something you can’t afford to lose, carry it on the plane with you. Baggage handlers tend to throw around luggage and airlines often lose checked bags. Remember that all CAMS circulation policies apply to off-campus use of CAMS gear.

What to pack in your carry-on:

  • Camera equipment – camera bodies and lenses are valuable and should always be in the carry-on.
  • Hard Drives & SD Cards – avoid loss or damage by carrying hard drives, back-ups and memory cards with you.
  • Lithium-ion batteries – these need to be stored carefully to handle environmental changes during transit. Improperly stored batteries can short circuit, overheat or catch fire. More information below.
  • Tascam recorders – these have an internal lithium-ion battery.

Safe to check (with care)

  • Tripods, light stands, empty cases, cables and non-lithium equipment.
  • Travel tripods, table-top tripods and travel light stands are available in the Production Office upon request.

Traveling with Batteries

Lithium batteries can catch fire if damaged or if battery terminals are short-circuited. Lithium-ion batteries should be kept in carry-on baggage and remain accessible. These items should be protected from damage, accidental activation and short circuits. Battery terminals should be protected by manufacturer’s packaging or covered with tape and placed in separate bags to prevent short circuits.

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TSA

TSA and foreign airport security often ask to remove all cameras, laptops and large electronics from your bag. Pack cameras and recorders so they’re easy to remove and repack quickly. Sometimes, small cables can trigger suspicion. Consider removing wireless lavalier mics at TSA.

35mm or 16mm film should be hand-inspected, as X-rays can fog your film. You may request a hand inspection and TSA will be required to accommodate your request.

Preparing for Customs

  • Check customs regulations for your destination. Every place has its own rules.
  • Confirm whether you need a carnet. A carnet is an international customs and temporary export-import document. Check this list to see if your destination country is listed.
  • The production office can provide an itemized check-out confirmation, which includes serial numbers and descriptions.

Power & Voltage

The U.S. uses ~120V, while many international countries use ~220V. Most CAMS gear is rated for 100-240V and 50/60Hz, so this gear should be fine to use abroad. You can verify this by looking at the fine print on the power brick or charger. The main consideration is making sure you have the right plug adapter.

  • A small power strip with surge protection can be useful, so you only need one adapter for multiple chargers.
  • Never use a simple plug adapter with anything labeled “120V only.” This will short-circuit. You will need a voltage converter or consider using a different piece of equipment.

Wireless Audio

In the U.S., the FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. Similar governmental agencies do the same thing in other countries. You’re responsible for knowing on what frequencies it’s legal to operate wireless audio gear at what power levels.

Practical Considerations

  • Test and label all gear before leaving the U.S.
  • Take a photo of all the equipment before departure for easy repacking and proof if something is lost or damaged.
  • Do not leave gear unattended, or in a vehicle overnight.
  • Use common sense when using your gear in public. Don’t be flashy, be careful staying out too late alone with expensive gear. ‘
  • Back up your media. It is easy to lose track of details and SD cards while traveling and it would be unfortunate if any footage was lost.