![]() IF X-RAY IS MANDATORY, DO NOT SHIP / DO NOT X-RAY / CONTACT SENDER URGENTLY: (your contact information)". To be extra careful, you can use the following text: "DO NOT X-RAY. However, when shipping internationally, these carriers cannot guarantee how other institutions, such as Customs, may handle your package.īecause of this, Richard recommends marking any film you are shipping with a label indicating “light sensitive materials” within. Richard Photo Lab has done lots of research on the subject, and after scouring the internet and carrier-provided info, here’s the long story short: most commercial carriers such as FedEx or UPS do not x-ray their packages. ![]() Contact these companies directly for details by country on their specific shipping methods. That said, choose an expedited, commercial carrier such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL to ship your film internationally. No, it’s not a scientific study or a cold, hard fact debunking x-ray damage during shipping… but Richard sees a lot of film. At the time of this update, the TSA is listing all airports in the US that use this technology here.įirst, we’d like to say that we’ve never seen a roll of film that was damaged by x-ray machines during international OR domestic shipping. So, be diligent in asking for hand-inspections, and check ahead of time to see if your airport is using a CT scanner. However, we don't know if these postings will specify the use of a CT scanner. It is expected that airports will post notices if their equipment will potentially damage carry-on film. Remember, this risk of damage only applies to unprocessed film. These machines will damage your film! To avoid any risk of fogging your unprocessed film (including loaded cameras), always request that your carry-on be hand-inspected at the airport security check point. The TSA says its goal is to eventually have these machines at every security checkpoint in US airports, with over 300 machines being fully deployed by 2020. Because the x-ray security operator will not be able to see the items within the bag, they may increase the power of the x-ray machine until they can this essentially cancels the effectiveness of the bag.ĬT (computed tomography) scanners - the machines your checked luggage is typically subject to - are starting to be used for carry-on bags at the security checkpoint in some airports. Lead-lined bags used to be an option for protecting film from radiation, but are no longer recommended. (Regulations and inspections vary by country, so it is possible some international airports will not honor this request.) However, Richard suggests you pack your film in a clear plastic bag, remove it from your carry-on bag at the security checkpoint, and (politely) insist that it be hand-searched when carrying any film just to be extra diligent. The TSA states that film less than 800 ISO can go through the x-ray machine for carry-ons without a problem. For the most part, these machines use a less intense x-ray that is unlikely to damage film. “But that goes through an x-ray machine, too!” you say. That means your film will need to go in your carry-on bag. Eeeeek! Did we mention to never put your film under the plane? The equipment used to screen checked luggage utilizes a high-intensity screening technology, and it will ruin any and all film (exposed or not). ![]() First, never put your unprocessed film in your checked luggage. Lucky you, you jet setter! There are just a few pointers you’ll need to remember (along with your passport) as you travel with your film. But don’t worry, international photogs Richard Photo Lab is here to shed some light on the subject. Crazy how mixing these two things together can make us shake in our boots! There’s a lot of mystery around x-rays and their affect on film, especially these days as travel security technology is constantly evolving. ![]()
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