8mm Forum: International mailing problems for super 8

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Topic: International mailing problems for super 8

Jonathan Trevithick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 569
From: Gold Coast Australia
Registered: May 2012

posted September 27, 2012 04:17 PM

I was wondering if anyone is having this issue in their country with sending international mail.
I sent a super 8 film to Japan last week and it bouced back before leaving Australia. It was returned to my home address with a note stating, "film prohibited in international mail"
(I always print "super 8mm films" on the customs label and have never had an issue previously).
I rushed down to the Post Office who seemed to know all about it. They said they had verified that film cannot be sent in the mail as it's regarded as a dangerous substance. I tried to explain that nitrate films are the only type of film which could be a problem and super 8 wasn't produced on that film stock. They tried to console me by stating you can't send lots of things in international mail, such as "car batteries and perfume"!
After a morning of phone calls, I eventually got through to someone at a place in customs called "The Batcave" (don't ask!) who said you should never write the word "film" on a customs label.It causes lots of problems. Instead he told me to write, "Super 8. Not dangerous goods as per I.A.T.A" and it should go through fine.
Well, the Post Office sent it off again and that was 24 hours ago. I hope it's on its way this time.
Has anyone else had a similar probem in their country?

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Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 27, 2012 04:37 PM

Change "film" to "celluloid" .... you don't falsify anything... [Big Grin]

or probably write "Other Format"...as this is how it appears on Ebay category.. [Big Grin]

--------------------
Winbert

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Jonathan Trevithick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 569
From: Gold Coast Australia
Registered: May 2012

posted September 27, 2012 04:45 PM

I might try "other format" next time if "super 8" doesn't work. Thanks Winbert.

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Terry Lagler
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 525
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008

posted September 27, 2012 05:29 PM

How about just "movie"

Cheers
Terry

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Jonathan Trevithick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 569
From: Gold Coast Australia
Registered: May 2012

posted September 27, 2012 05:50 PM

Hi Terry,
The customs guy said that it might not go through as "movie" or anything that can be linked easily to the word "film".

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Vincent Zabbia
Master Film Handler

Posts: 372
From: Montrose, NY
Registered: Feb 2011

posted September 27, 2012 06:31 PM

Terry, I always say home movies and all have gone through...SO FAR!

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Vincent Zabbia

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Joe Taffis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1592
From: United States
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 27, 2012 06:51 PM

I've sent many films to other countries, including one to Japan (many years ago, and it took months to get there!). I always wrote "8mm film" on the customs slip and haven't had a problem. Maybe I've been lucky....

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Joe Taffis

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Barry Attwood
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1411
From: Enfield, U.K.
Registered: Aug 2003

posted September 28, 2012 10:04 AM

I send many packages from the UK all around the world, I just write 8mm home movies and have never had any problem with any country (so far, that is!, have I cursed myself?).

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Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted September 28, 2012 10:12 AM

quote:
I might try "other format" next time if "super 8" doesn't work. Thanks Winbert.

As we are a group of 8mm fans, what about stating "Not a video", will that work too....? [Wink]

--------------------
Winbert

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Jonathan Trevithick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 569
From: Gold Coast Australia
Registered: May 2012

posted September 28, 2012 11:26 PM

I'll stick to what I was asked to put I think Winbert....unless it comes back again!

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