Shipping camera across US border for CLA, tips?

Roy Cross · February 26

Hi,

I'm located in Montreal, Canada. I have an Arri St that I want to send to Du All for CLA. I had issues when I sent anamorphic lenses to Bernie at Super16. I had to pay taxes on the value of the lenses. Border customs seemed to think I had bought the lenses in the US. That was ten years ago. I'd like to avoid any issue. Any tips? Is there a carnet I need?

Thanks.

Roy

Tyler Purcell · February 27

Yea, you have to kinda risk it with low value. That's the only way of doing it today. Maybe put a Fedex tracker on it?

Roy Cross · February 27

Thanks, Tyler. I was concerned that I'd be charge import fees and taxes as though I purchased the camera. FedEx explained everything to me. I can do it through them. I state that it has "no commercial value" and is being sent for repairs. DuAll will have to do the same on the return. I'll have to pay Canadian GST/HST taxes on the value of the work done, but I won't be stuck paying for a "purchase value" on the camera.

Tyler Purcell · February 27

2 hours ago, Roy Cross said:

Thanks, Tyler. I was concerned that I'd be charge import fees and taxes as though I purchased the camera. FedEx explained everything to me. I can do it through them. I state that it has "no commercial value" and is being sent for repairs. DuAll will have to do the same on the return. I'll have to pay Canadian GST/HST taxes on the value of the work done, but I won't be stuck paying for a "purchase value" on the camera.

Yep exactly, you can get away with it if you have little to no value and ship with the proper codes.

Patrick Quesnel · Friday at 02:17 AM

It is funny that this topic came up as I just sent my 16st to Du All for repair aswell with FedEx from Toronto. When I dropped my camera off to FedEx they told me that they just had to state for repair and to be returned. I had some value listed on the camera for the insurance and Du All ended up receiving an invoice from FedEx for the duties and Taxes on the goods. So I tried disputing the duties with FedEx but they charge a $150 fee if the duties ends up being "correct" in their books. In the end it is up to the customs agent to assign the duties on goods entering the US. What I have learnt though is there is a way to better import an item for repair by completing a Temporary Import Under Bond, but I also could not find any resource online explaining how to actually file one. I have an SRII to eventually send for servicing to the US as well and my experience with the 16st has been quite negative so far.

@Roy Cross When you get your camera back, I would be interested in an update on how your experience went. If stating no commercial value worked for you I might try doing that when I send my SR.

Tyler Purcell · Friday at 02:46 AM

28 minutes ago, Patrick Quesnel said:

Temporary Import Under Bond

Wouldn't a "bond" mean you still have to pay them until the item is returned?

I'm interested to hear how you get along with that if you try it.

Roy Cross · Friday at 02:30 PM

Thanks, Patrick. This is really helpful.

I've ordered a power cable from Cinema Engineering. I'm waiting to see how well that custom cable works. If I'm not satisfied I was going to have DuAll add the XLR 4 pin power mod.

I'll have to check, but I sent four lenses to Jacek for rehousing in 2021. I don't recall how I sent those.

I'll be shipping in the next two weeks I think. I'll update you.

Patrick Quesnel · Saturday at 12:32 AM

21 hours ago, Tyler Purcell said:

Wouldn't a "bond" mean you still have to pay them until the item is returned?

I'm interested to hear how you get along with that if you try it.

Yes. From what Iv read up on it, I believe it might even be double what the duties are. But then you get it back as long as the item is returned back out of the US within a year. So I guess it depends on if you are in a position to be able to put up that amount for the time needed.

For sure, if I do go the route of putting up the bond when I eventually send my SR in, I will get back to you with how it goes.

Tyler Purcell · Saturday at 01:30 AM

57 minutes ago, Patrick Quesnel said:

For sure, if I do go the route of putting up the bond when I eventually send my SR in, I will get back to you with how it goes.

Please do! We also service SR's so if you need assistance, let me know!

Roy Cross · Monday at 06:39 PM

I have a request in about an ATA Carnet. I'll update when I hear back.

Roy Cross · 2026-03-10T17:23:34Z

So, a carnet is not the way to go. The camera would have to return in exactly the same condition it was sent out. Thus, a repair alters the condition. Going to FedEx tomorrow for info,