Posting lenses abroad to oneself

I'm going to be visiting relatives in Canada (for the first time) this summer.

Instead of lugging all my lenses on the plane, I've come up with the bright (?) idea of posting the most valuable ones ahead of me via Royal Mail Airsure. This would be a cheap way of getting adequate insurance and would save me carrying so much weight.

Trouble is I don't know what to put on the customs form to avoid the recipients paying duty* - while being honest. Any suggestions? I could add a note of explanation next to the form - but would this make any difference?

* Which of course wouldn't be fair since they are not keeping the goods; I'd be sending/bringing them home again.

If they don'y accept whatever you put on the package in customs then you'll pay import duty, VAT and maybe a service charge or not get your lenses back.

Only you can say if the risk is worth it!

To avoid any possible difficulties with customs always take receipt for the equipemnt carried.

If you don't you may be charged duty when re-entering the UK even if the lenses are in your hand luggage.

Why not check with you airline before travelling about excess baggage rules. Typically you can seperately box all your lenses, get a customs and airline receipt for them on the way out and pay about £5 per Kg excess baggage. This may still be cheaper than Air Secure and you have a customs receipt to prove ownership on return.

Honestly, I would consider taking less lenses! You are visiting family not going on a photo shoot.
Some airlines will allow camera equipment on board in addition to you hand luggage allowance, but you will still have to convince security to let two bags through.
Last year I fitted all I need for my trip to New England into my Tamrac backpack, including what I needed for the flight. I took just three lenses with me, of which I ended up using just two. And I took even less with me on safari in Tanzania earlier last year.

I'll be in Vancouver for three weeks so I'll have plenty of time for photo shoots. Some days I'll be going out on my own while my brother and sister-in-law are working. Those days I'll be travelling by bicycle with bags stuffed full of gear

My travel insurance would not adequately cover the lenses if I flew with them. Camera & lenses count as "valuables" and the valuables limit is too low. I'm not sure about my Home Contents policy yet - though I suspect the limit for travelling will be low on that too.

Pete I would up your insurance, especially if you are cycling. If your home contents insurance doesn't cover all your gear whilst travelling take out a proper photographers insurance.
The one I have here in Holland covers everything, including theft from or damage to checked bags! It is really worth it if you have a lot of gear.
How many lenses are you planning on taking? I still think you should seriously consider how many you will actually use whilst away. It is very tempting to take everything with you but it tends to become just dead weight and is a lot to lug especially on a bike!
I would really wouldn't want to post any lenses. I don't know what the insurance is like on the service you are referring too, but I would be really worried about them. Plus I don't see how you could really overcome the customs problem. You can import goods personally (ie you carry them in) provided you also personally export them agai, without duty being due, bbut it would be very hard to prove you were doing this by posting stuff.

Thanks very much Gwyn. I appreciate your advice and will think about it. I've still got a few weeks.

The expense of any additional insurance might be a big problem, though. I'm virtually broke after buying the air ticket and so much camera gear recently. I'm not a very sensible bloke!

I'm sure Royal Mail Airsure would be fine if it wasn't for the customs issue. It's a reputable service that provides 500 GBP compensation cover per parcel for just 4.50 GBP on top of the normal Airmail price. I could send two or three of my most expensive lenses like this, and carry the rest on the plane. I haven't decided how many that would be yet.

I agree it would be silly to take more than I would use. Hopefully I will discipline myself to minimise the load. Thing is, I rarely go on holiday at all, and might not stay in Canada for so long again, so I have the feeling that this is a trip of a lifetime and I want to make the most of it. I am prepared to take some risks doing it.

I've just found E&L's website now. Proper insurance might be cheaper than I thought (though I'm still not sure about the practicalities yet). Thanks again Gwyn.

I doubt you'll be disapointed there, I was on Vancouver Island about 6 weeks ago on holiday and it is the most amazing place I've ever been. If I thought immigration would let me, I'd move there tomorrow.

Been looking through E&L's small print and I'm disappointed with the amount of get-out clauses - even with the so called "all risk" and "unlimited" policies. I think in practice I would onlybe covered for robbery while the goods are in my attendance.

Does anyone know of similarly cheap insurance that would be a bit more generous?

Your home insurance company would give you cover and this could be very reasonable.

We have an "all risks" section to our policy that covers both generalised items plus a few named items anywhere we are in the world.

the professionsal photographers association of canada has insurance for members...any trade organisations out your way?