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Transporting Undeveloped Film
WARNING: Equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your
undeveloped film.
· Never place film in your checked baggage.
· Place film in your carry-on baggage* or request a hand inspection.
*Carry-on screening equipment might also damage film if the film passes
through more than 5 times.
None of the screening equipment - neither the machines used for checked
baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage - will affect digital camera
images or film that has already been processed, slides, videos, photo
compact discs, or picture discs.
General use film*
You should remove all film from your checked baggage and place it in your
carry-on baggage. The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on baggage at
the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO
800.
If the same role of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than 5 times
before it is developed, however, damage may occur. Protect your film by
requesting a hand-inspection for your film if it has already passed through
the carry-on baggage screening equipment (X-ray) more than 5 times.
TIP: Remember the 5x X-ray limit for your carry-on.
TIP: You may request a hand-inspection of any undeveloped film.
Specialty film*
(film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher and typically used by professionals)
At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types
of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:
· Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
· Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films
· Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5
times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
· Film that is or will be underexposed
· Film that you intend to "push process"
· Sheet film
· Large format film
· Medical film
· Scientific film
· Motion picture film
· Professional grade film
Other Tips and Precautions
· If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should consider
carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid
colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags, to expedite the
screening process.
· If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations with
the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want to request a
hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S. airports may not honor this
request.
· If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an
international airport, contact the airport security office at that airport
to request a manual inspection.
· Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through
airport security on your return trip.
· It is recommended that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since
the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have concerns about the
impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped film, you can request a hand
inspection.
· You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are traveling
through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with
your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.
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