WIth all the recent changes in airline regulations in the US, I'm not sure what to expect anymore. For various reasons, I'll need to take a bunch of gear and a laptop with me even though I'm not traveling for work. I've read about tightened carry-on restrictions, various pointless security checks, etc. They're supposed to be much the same in Canada but so far I haven't noticed much of a change. It takes longer but nobody bothers me too much; something I've read is not the same in the US. So I've got a few questions:

1) Are the carry-on size and weight limits enforced? I'll be using a TT Airport Acceleration and UD50. Both will probably be over the weight limit but both also look small and 'light.' I believe I'm flying with Delta.

2) I've read somewhere that they can check your hard drives for 'illegal' content. Is this true? Does it happen often? What are they looking for - i.e. will they look through thousands of photos to find something 'illegal'? (And since I'm coming from a job I'm sure to have a few thousand on my hard drives...)

3) Since I'll have a bunch of gear with me, I'm wondering if I should get some sort of form certifying I had it with me when I left. I found the US version - "Customs & Border Protection Form CF 4457" - but can't seem to find anything like this for Customs Canada. Does anyone know if this is needed and how does it work?

4) Any other helpful tips or tricks to making this as pain-free as possible?

Thanks for taking the time!

Sounds like you're worrying needlessly. I haven't noticed many changes traveling to and from the US in the last few years. Carry-on depends on the airline/flight but you should be fine. I usually carry a maximum-size roll-on plus a camera bag and have never had a problem. I've only ever experienced weight restrictions for carry-ons being enforced in Europe, never in North America. No idea if they can check your HD (but the TSA does seem to have pretty broad powers) but I've never heard of this happening to anyone. And finally, if you have a business card proving you're in the photography business then its highly unlikely you'll face any problems with gear and it's highly unlikely anyone will ask in the first place.

RafalA wrote:
1) Are the carry-on size and weight limits enforced? I'll be using a TT Airport Acceleration and UD50. Both will probably be over the weight limit but both also look small and 'light.' I believe I'm flying with Delta.

Size, yes; weight, no. If it won't fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment they'll make you gate-check it. You can refer to the recent thread on gate-checking gear. What will or won't fit will be entirely dependent on the size of the planes you're flying, not airline regulations.

2) I've read somewhere that they can check your hard drives for 'illegal' content. Is this true? Does it happen often? What are they looking for - i.e. will they look through thousands of photos to find something 'illegal'? (And since I'm coming from a job I'm sure to have a few thousand on my hard drives...)

This is true, but I've yet to see it happen or have it happen to me. They're looking for encrypted data or partitions that would suggest espionage, child pornography, information that suggests a terrorist threat. In most cases it's another form of "security theatre". Just give yourself lots of extra time at the airport if you're worried about it - arrive three hours before your flight time for any international leg, 2 hours for any domestic. Expect long lines at check-in and security at any major airport.

3) Since I'll have a bunch of gear with me, I'm wondering if I should get some sort of form certifying I had it with me when I left. I found the US version - "Customs & Border Protection Form CF 4457" - but can't seem to find anything like this for Customs Canada. Does anyone know if this is needed and how does it work?

It's a good idea: with the weakness of the dollar and the higher cost of imported goods in Canada a lot of folks are coming over here to shop, so customs is looking more closely at objects that are frequently purchased here and brought back to Canada. Cameras and small electronics are the most common, so receive the most scrutiny. I'd write up a list of what you're traveling with, including serial numbers, and keep a copy of it in each of your bags. It's not foolproof, but it often suggests enough forethought that customs believes you're on the up-and-up.

4) Any other helpful tips or tricks to making this as pain-free as possible?

Make sure everything is packed optimally for getting through security and onto the plane so that you don't have to deal with headaches later on. That means not packing flagged items (certain batteries, sharp tools, liquids, etc.) and making sure your carry-ons meet size restrictions. Don't give security attitude if they need to hand-search your carry-ons - it's common with cameras, so don't freak out. Know in advance what you're going to say to customs & immigration if you're coming in for work on a tourist visa - fumbling with it is the best way to get pulled aside for interview. Don't let your passport out of your sight, and make sure you've got a photocopy of it in at least one of your bags.

US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP.gov) is the agency you will be dealing with. Basically they can perform a warrant-less search of your person or property.

These links should answer your equipment questions:

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/top_10_trvler_tps.ctt/top_10_trvler_tps.pdf

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/welcome2us.ctt/welcome2us.pdf

Thanks for all the responses! Good info all around.

I didn't think it would be much different than what we have here, but it's always good to ask and know beforehand.

I do know about the new Canadian laws about checking iPods and laptops for illegally downloaded music - I'd like to know how they're going to prove this one!

I took all my gear that I travel with to Canada Customs before we travelled to the states last time. They have a card they fill out with s/n of cameras and lenses. Anything without a s/n they wrote the model # from the unit.
I carry the card in my camera bag and have a copy at home. Basically it is a proof of having it in Canada before you left.

Cheers
Chris

cpurves wrote:
I took all my gear that I travel with to Canada Customs before we travelled to the states last time. They have a card they fill out with s/n of cameras and lenses. Anything without a s/n they wrote the model # from the unit.
I carry the card in my camera bag and have a copy at home. Basically it is a proof of having it in Canada before you left.

Cheers
Chris


Chris, do you know what the form was called? That's exactly what I've been looking for!

RafalA wrote:
cpurves wrote:
I took all my gear that I travel with to Canada Customs before we travelled to the states last time. They have a card they fill out with s/n of cameras and lenses. Anything without a s/n they wrote the model # from the unit.
I carry the card in my camera bag and have a copy at home. Basically it is a proof of having it in Canada before you left.

Cheers
Chris


Chris, do you know what the form was called? That's exactly what I've been looking for!

It's a "identification of articles for temporary eportation" card. It is green and about 3 1/2 X 5"

The bottom has the number " Y38 (00) "

Cheers
Chris

Thanks Chris!