Costa Rica customs - GoFuckYourself.com

inthecrack · 10-07-2011, 11:38 AM

Thinking of shooting in Costa Rica.... Anyone have any experience with bringing professional equipment through Costa Rica customs? We usually travel with large amounts of camera and lighting equipment (8 cases) and a carnet. Apparently Costa Rica does not recognize carnets. Would hate to pay for a location and flights only to get turned away at customs.

Harmon · 10-07-2011, 11:47 AM

Bump for one of the hottest and most innovative websites/programs out there. I need to rejoin that one

sperbonzo · 10-07-2011, 11:56 AM

People entering Costa Rica are officially allowed to bring 5 liters of liquor and 500 grams of tobacco. $500 US of merchandise may be brought in. Cameras, computers, and electronic equipment for personal use are permitted duty-free but bringing in more than one or two of any of these items may draw suspicion. Luggage is rarely checked upon entry.

Returning US citizens may bring back $800 worth of merchandise once every 30 days duty-free. Anything over that limit will be charged duty. For mailed goods this limit is $200.

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Elli · 10-07-2011, 01:32 PM

I heard that it's not quite kosher to shoot that kind of stuff there. They might have questions for you.

sperbonzo · 10-07-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elli

I heard that it's not quite kosher to shoot that kind of stuff there. They might have questions for you.

Oh, that's right. That is the other issue. Prostitution is legal in CR, but pimping is not, and shooting porn can be considered pimping.

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Little bit dangerous

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shimmy2 · 10-07-2011, 01:53 PM

i would leave the lights at home if i were you. my cheap alternative is buying 200watt lightbulbs and replacing them in the place youre staying in. reasons like this is why i shoot with an SLR... stills and video all in one, no tapes and hardware just camera and charger. you look like a normal tourist both entering and exiting the country

Varius · 10-07-2011, 01:56 PM

Customs at the airport here don't care about anything unless it's food / plant items.

I've brought back tons of stuff (multiple laptops, projector, ps3, etc...) all at same time and they don't even check a single thing let alone 50% of the time they never even take my declaration card.

If you are bringing lots of equipment though, they may have questions I'm sure, but just tell them you are shooting models at the beach for a magazine or something. I'd say you'd be fine.

inthecrack · 10-07-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

Oh, that's right. That is the other issue. Prostitution is legal in CR, but pimping is not, and shooting porn can be considered pimping.
I wouldn't do it if I were you. Little bit dangerous.

We're shooting solo girls. I don't know if it can be construed as pimping.

inthecrack · 10-07-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimmy2

i would leave the lights at home if i were you. my cheap alternative is buying 200watt lightbulbs and replacing them in the place youre staying in. reasons like this is why i shoot with an SLR... stills and video all in one, no tapes and hardware just camera and charger. you look like a normal tourist both entering and exiting the country

I wouldn't go out of my way to shoot in an exotic location, fly all my crew and models there, rent a nice villa, only to use bodged together equipment and have an amateur looking product.

WarChild · 10-07-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperbonzo

Oh, that's right. That is the other issue. Prostitution is legal in CR, but pimping is not, and shooting porn can be considered pimping.

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Little bit dangerous

.

While I suggest everyone get their own legal advice, I don't mind telling you that my Costa Rican attorney doesn't see it this way at all. In his words "There are no laws against filming pornography in Costa Rica".

10-07-2011, 11:38 AM	#1
inthecrack Confirmed User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 533	Costa Rica customs Thinking of shooting in Costa Rica.... Anyone have any experience with bringing professional equipment through Costa Rica customs? We usually travel with large amounts of camera and lighting equipment (8 cases) and a carnet. Apparently Costa Rica does not recognize carnets. Would hate to pay for a location and flights only to get turned away at customs. __________________ High on crack. www.inthecrack.com

10-07-2011, 11:47 AM	#2
Harmon ( ͡ʘ╭͜ʖ╮͡ʘ) Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 20,007	Bump for one of the hottest and most innovative websites/programs out there. I need to rejoin that one __________________ [email protected]

10-07-2011, 11:56 AM	#3
sperbonzo I'd rather be on my boat. Industry Role: Join Date: May 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 9,748	People entering Costa Rica are officially allowed to bring 5 liters of liquor and 500 grams of tobacco. $500 US of merchandise may be brought in. Cameras, computers, and electronic equipment for personal use are permitted duty-free but bringing in more than one or two of any of these items may draw suspicion. Luggage is rarely checked upon entry. Returning US citizens may bring back $800 worth of merchandise once every 30 days duty-free. Anything over that limit will be charged duty. For mailed goods this limit is $200. . __________________ Michael Sperber / Acella Financial LLC/ Online Payment Processing [email protected] / http://Acellafinancial.com/ ICQ 177961090 / Tel +1 909 NET BILL / Skype msperber

10-07-2011, 01:32 PM	#4
Elli Reach for those stars! Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 17,991	I heard that it's not quite kosher to shoot that kind of stuff there. They might have questions for you. __________________ Make More Money with Cams and Dating at FFN.com! email: [email protected]

10-07-2011, 01:53 PM	#6
shimmy2 Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dominican Republic Posts: 3,250	i would leave the lights at home if i were you. my cheap alternative is buying 200watt lightbulbs and replacing them in the place youre staying in. reasons like this is why i shoot with an SLR... stills and video all in one, no tapes and hardware just camera and charger. you look like a normal tourist both entering and exiting the country __________________ Make $$$ with Toticos.com! \| Email: 1bluemiata@gmail \| Joutube: ShimmyCash \| Faceberg: ShimmyCash

10-07-2011, 01:56 PM	#7
Varius Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 6,890	Customs at the airport here don't care about anything unless it's food / plant items. I've brought back tons of stuff (multiple laptops, projector, ps3, etc...) all at same time and they don't even check a single thing let alone 50% of the time they never even take my declaration card. If you are bringing lots of equipment though, they may have questions I'm sure, but just tell them you are shooting models at the beach for a magazine or something. I'd say you'd be fine. __________________ Skype variuscr - Email varius AT gmail