How should I travel with undeveloped film through airport security?
Asked 9/21/2011
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2 answers
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I’d like to take undeveloped film on flights without fogging or damaging it during airport screening. What’s the recommended way to pack film for air travel, and should it go in carry-on or checked luggage? If needed, can I request hand inspection, and are there any practical tips for making security checks easier?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
12
- The scanners for checked baggage are a lot more powerful, so take it through in your carry-on.
- If you've only got slower films (ISO 100 or so), there's not really a concern.
- If you have faster films, ask to have them hand-inspected. With anything ISO 400 and below you should be fine but you can have issues if they go through the scanner too many times or decide to blast your bag with more juice because all your big metal cameras look suspicious.
- If you're going to have them hand-inspected, put all your film in a zip-loc bag, and put that on an outside pocket or something so you can yank it out easily (i.e., like your 3oz bottles of liquid).
- Keep your camera(s) un-loaded in case the agent wants to open them. I've never had that happen, but you never know these days...
Originally by user6238. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user6238
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Carry undeveloped film in your carry-on, not in checked baggage. Checked-bag scanners are generally much stronger and are more likely to damage film.
For most slower films, carry-on X-ray screening is usually considered safe, especially around ISO 100. Film up to about ISO 400 is commonly fine as well, though repeated scans can increase risk. Faster film is more vulnerable, so it’s smart to ask for a hand inspection.
If you want to avoid X-rays entirely, request a hand inspection at security. To make that easier, keep all film together in a clear zip bag and place it somewhere easy to remove quickly. Also keep cameras unloaded so security staff can inspect them if necessary without exposing film.
In short: use carry-on, avoid checked luggage, and ask for hand inspection if you’re carrying higher-ISO film or just want to be cautious.
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