Entering USA with camera gear from Australia at DVinfo.net

Simon Denny · May 31st, 2009, 01:20 AM

I’m an Aussie and have been asked to shoot some stuff in the USA, Louisiana.

Here is my question to fellow Australians or anyone else really.

This job is through an Australian and getting paid in Australia dollars. The time in the States will be 4 weeks shooting some interviews, gardens and buildings. If I jump on the plane with my gear and enter customs in the USA will they require a work permit from me?
My gear will be:
MBP
EX1
Tripod
Small light kit
Luggage

Now I know I will ask the US consulate before I get this thing underway but wanted to get an opinion from some here that has done this recently.

Regards
Simon

Chris Hurd · May 31st, 2009, 10:59 AM

Moved from Open DV to Home, Away From Home.

Andy Wilkinson · May 31st, 2009, 01:56 PM

Simon, be very careful. I was once deported from the USA (in 2001, just a few months prior to 911) whilst conducting business where I was paid by the US company in the UK from their UK arm...sure it was a technicality where I eventually got an apology from the US Embassy in London and I then also subsequently got a visa (L1) and worked very frequently all over in the States (well in excees of 100 trips) over the following 7 years....and had a great time enjoying the hospitality of these great people!

My advice would be to talk to the US Embassy in Australia as soon as possible and be open with them about what your doing and I'm sure they will lead you down the correct path that does not result "refusal of entry".

You are treated like a criminal and it's a very unpleasant experience - don't risk it. Everyone who knows me was (and still are) shocked that someone like good old honest me got "deported". It carries a stereotype image that I thankfully don't fit.....

BTW, the only good thing about being deported is that you get to be escorted by an armed guard onto the plane (in my case the one I'd arrived on 4 hrs earlier) ahead of even the 1st class passengers...and up untill that point I'd always assumed these people were VIPs...now I know better and have seen this very same cameo unfold many times on my frequent travels all over the world!

I arrived business class and went home steerage. It's a long way from Oz to the good old USA...and back immediately after for you.

To make matters worse, if the plane back had have been full I'd have been thrown in jail overnight downtown (shared cell with who knows who - I know because I asked that question)....You'd probably never see your gear again either...enough said.

Simon Denny · May 31st, 2009, 03:29 PM

Sorry Chris.

Thanks Andy,

Some great advice there. I'm heading to the US Embssay this week to sus it out.
Would hate to be turned around at the airport.

Regards

May 31st, 2009, 01:20 AM	#1
Simon Denny Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,409	Entering USA with camera gear from Australia I’m an Aussie and have been asked to shoot some stuff in the USA, Louisiana. Here is my question to fellow Australians or anyone else really. This job is through an Australian and getting paid in Australia dollars. The time in the States will be 4 weeks shooting some interviews, gardens and buildings. If I jump on the plane with my gear and enter customs in the USA will they require a work permit from me? My gear will be: MBP EX1 Tripod Small light kit Luggage Now I know I will ask the US consulate before I get this thing underway but wanted to get an opinion from some here that has done this recently. Regards Simon

May 31st, 2009, 10:59 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Moved from Open DV to Home, Away From Home. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 31st, 2009, 01:56 PM	#3
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	Simon, be very careful. I was once deported from the USA (in 2001, just a few months prior to 911) whilst conducting business where I was paid by the US company in the UK from their UK arm...sure it was a technicality where I eventually got an apology from the US Embassy in London and I then also subsequently got a visa (L1) and worked very frequently all over in the States (well in excees of 100 trips) over the following 7 years....and had a great time enjoying the hospitality of these great people! My advice would be to talk to the US Embassy in Australia as soon as possible and be open with them about what your doing and I'm sure they will lead you down the correct path that does not result "refusal of entry". You are treated like a criminal and it's a very unpleasant experience - don't risk it. Everyone who knows me was (and still are) shocked that someone like good old honest me got "deported". It carries a stereotype image that I thankfully don't fit..... BTW, the only good thing about being deported is that you get to be escorted by an armed guard onto the plane (in my case the one I'd arrived on 4 hrs earlier) ahead of even the 1st class passengers...and up untill that point I'd always assumed these people were VIPs...now I know better and have seen this very same cameo unfold many times on my frequent travels all over the world! I arrived business class and went home steerage. It's a long way from Oz to the good old USA...and back immediately after for you. To make matters worse, if the plane back had have been full I'd have been thrown in jail overnight downtown (shared cell with who knows who - I know because I asked that question)....You'd probably never see your gear again either...enough said. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

May 31st, 2009, 03:29 PM	#4
Simon Denny Trustee Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,409	Sorry Chris. Thanks Andy, Some great advice there. I'm heading to the US Embssay this week to sus it out. Would hate to be turned around at the airport. Regards