Kelli Lee Posted May 27, 2009 Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 Hi there! I know most of you probably have the production company handle the shipping of your gear when you travel to shoots, but I am trying to ship my gear from GA to the Dominican Republic. I was wondering what sort of shipping companies you use and what are the general rates? I went to Fedex.com and got a quote to ship a 40lb package and it quoted me $300! to ship one way!! Is this how much it usually is to ship something? Do you know of any more affordable ways of getting my gear to my destination? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mike McGowan SOC Posted May 27, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 I don't have a good answer for you as shipping gear has started to suck more and more latley. I'm sure somebody will have a decent company for you... On that note, my suggestion is to do whatever you can to have production handle it for you and make sure you have your own insurance (not just the insurance the production company provides). Additionally, you might consider just taking your gear as excess baggage. It will end up costing you about 5 or 6 hundred bucks each way depending on how much gear you have. Hope that helps, mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Gustavo Penna Posted May 27, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 Hi there! I know most of you probably have the production company handle the shipping of your gear when you travel to shoots, but I am trying to ship my gear from GA to the Dominican Republic. I was wondering what sort of shipping companies you use and what are the general rates? I went to Fedex.com and got a quote to ship a 40lb package and it quoted me $300! to ship one way!! Is this how much it usually is to ship something? Do you know of any more affordable ways of getting my gear to my destination? I can tell you haven't flown there with your gear. I've being there twice this year and i usually shoot around 6 to 10 times a year in the DR. I imagine that you are not shooting with a local production company cause you are not aware of the Customs procedures which are the biggest pain in the butt there. You need to have a bail (Insurance for the temporary import) placed by your local producer at the moment that your gear is coming in with you. the amount of this bail is proportional to the declared value of your gear. when you fly out, they'll go over your gear and make sure it gets checked in your baggage, and then reimburse the Temporary import fee. Regarding to the Extra-weight charges """"there's no way around that.""""" i usually pay between 500 to 900 USD each way depending on my destination. and trust me a fly everywhere all the time and i always take my gear and camera package with me. and of course production pays for first which usually cuts me a break in extra pieces and extra-weight. there's only one company (Aerofilm) that saves all of these fees and thats because they usually fly us THE CREW in their private Jets. Have fun there...... and if your gear gets retained by Fed ex customs... just go and dance merengue and get wasted on Presidente until someone manages to get it out of that mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Daniel Erbeck Posted May 27, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 27, 2009 You could try S.O.S Shipping SOS Shipping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ramon Engle Posted May 28, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 28, 2009 Kelly, film logic is a broker I've used in the past. They will arrange for a person in DR to walk the gear through customs. It will still cost production a pretty penny to do this but at least your gear will make it. Film logic will help with all the paper work as well. www.filmlogic.ca Ramon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Baldwin Posted July 24, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Have any of you guys tried to sneak on a pelican 1650 as 'standard' checked baggage? it is .87 inches over the size limit, and I'm thinking about risking it. any experiences? I would imagine that the skycaps might overlook .87 inches, but those dudes' jobs are disappearing faster than ours! any input would be appreciated. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members John Perry SOC Posted July 24, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Have any of you guys tried to sneak on a pelican 1650 as 'standard' checked baggage? it is .87 inches over the size limit, and I'm thinking about risking it. any experiences? I would imagine that the skycaps might overlook .87 inches, but those dudes' jobs are disappearing faster than ours! any input would be appreciated. Dave I check 1650's all the time on airlines and have never had a problem. I also check the large steadicam thermodynes. Be sure to get an ATA Carnet in place before you leave the country. If you fly Air France, the cases must be under 32 kilos in order to check them, with no exceptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members David Baldwin Posted July 30, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 "I check 1650's all the time on airlines and have never had a problem. " Thanks, John. I looked thru a bunch of scuba forums where people were talking about flying with their 1650s. The chatter over there centers mostly around weight. If you're under 50 lbs, they pretty much let an inch or two slide, and don't ding you for oversize baggage. I've got a vest and arm in mine and that's it. 49.4 lbs... Sled is broken down into a 1610, and an aircraft case for my batteries and chargers. Battery case is EXACTLY 50 lbs. I'll be carrying on bartech, plates, connectors/bncs, modulus, clamshell, and cables in a 1520 and have a knapsack on my back for underwear and toothbrush. I've removed anything from my 'carry-on' that I think would cause a problem with TSA, (zip-ties, gerber, scissors) but if there's anything anybody knows about the m-one or some steadicam plates not being able to make it thru the checkpoint I'd love to know. Dave "3 checked bags (all within the size and weight limit) and I'm ready for air travel" Baldwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jess Haas SOC Posted July 30, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 If you fly Southwest they don't care about oversized or overweight (up to a certain amount) under their media rate policy. First two bags(cases) are even free. ~Jess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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