Airport security in Moscow: any experience?

[imush]

I shall need to go to a friends' wedding in Minsk, and would like to take film there (and back before developing it in New York). I'll be taking a train from Moscow, so all relevant air travel will be between New York (JFK) and Moscow (SVO). With me in carry-on baggage will be a few rolls of Tri-X 400 and Neopan 1600, as well as some Agfa APX100.

I am fairly certain I can bypass the X-rays in JFK and they know that they should "hand-check" them (whatever that means, as long as it is not destructive), but does anyone know:

1. How cooperative the Russian security will likely be?
2. If the answer to (1) is unfavourable, are TX400 and/or Neopan 1600 easily available in Moscow at a reasonable price? where?
3. If I mail unexposed film back to myself in New York, do you think the postal services are likely to X-ray it en route?

 

[kshapero]

I have traveled to Russia many times with film as well as other countries and of course all over the USA. I have never had a problem with unexposed film going through scanners and xray machines. I even have had developed film, my mistake, go through them with no problem. (Usually I mail out my developed film while traveling again with no problem.)

Have a great trip.

 

[clicker]

Went there in the early 70's when it it was still the USSR. Let's just say have you heard of the phrase "POLICE STATE".Customs officers were borderline hostile, or maybe simply resentful. It was an amazing country full of contradictions such as wonderful art and yet people afraid to speak out. Hopefully now things have improved. Enjoy your trip and believe me you will appreciate the free world even more upon your return. PS. I brought my own film, I suggest you do the same.

 

[MCTuomey]

Sheremtyevo is one of three airports that serve Moscow. Last fall, SVO security was very thorough with my carry-on roller bag, to the point where my toiletries were laid bare and carefully searched. Colleagues tell me this is pretty much the norm for that airport. I carried an R-D1 in my briefcase which of course posed no problem, so I have no experience with asking for a film "hand-check." (I simply left my film gear at home, unhappily, not having time to make other arrangements and being concerned as you are.) My guess is that with some knowledge of Russian (or a helpful apeaker with you) and a separate zip-loc type bag carrying your unboxed film, you may be successful. I would have a back-up plan, though, someone who can procure your film ahead for you there or schedule time to procure it yourself. Or perhaps someone to whom you can post your film ahead of your arrival and who will repost it to you after the wedding.

I have no knowledge of postal service policy re: x-ray of parcels, sorry.

Hope this helps.

 

[Freakscene]

1. Not at all. Really. You have no legal right to a hand inspection in Russia.
2. No. Film is even more expensive in Russia than Australia, which runs at 2-3x USA prices.
3. Yes. In Australia only a subsample gets x-rayed and I think US postal policy is similar, unless you post it to a sensitive address - then all of it will be x-rayed.

Marty

 

[imush]

I've once seen a Delta 3200 clouded with fog, and am since careful.

Thanks, but experiences from the 70s are not relevant; I was born there myself. I am, in fact, a Russian citizen (as well as American), but have not gone there for 8 or 9 years, and never crossed that border with undeveloped film. So I was looking for those who have done it.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I've once seen a Delta 3200 clouded with fog, and am since careful.

Thanks, but experiences from the 70s are not relevant; I was born there myself. I am, in fact, a Russian citizen (as well as American), but have not gone there for 8 or 9 years, and never crossed that border with undeveloped film. So I was looking for those who have done it.

Since you're originally from Russia, why don't you call someone back there and ask? Do you have any family or friends in Russia who might have better info?

 

[imush]

What if I take some of those reusable plastic cassettes, load the film there, put in my pocket, and it should pass the metal detector rather than X-ray?

On the other hand, perhaps I am paranoid. I am just as likely to do damage by scratching the film during the extra re-loading 🙂

 

[imush]

Since you're originally from Russia, why don't you call someone back there and ask? Do you have any family or friends in Russia who might have better info?

None of them use film. That is exactly who I am looking for on this forum; somebody who lives or travels there with film in baggage.

My only experience with this, a few years ago, was a clouded Delta 3200. But I was not very careful then.

 

[pschauss]

This does not exactly answer your question, but unless there is something different about the X-ray machines in Moscow, you don't need to worry about the APX100 or Tri-X. I have used both after multiple carry-on screenings at JFK and other airports in the US and Europe. If you really need to shoot at 1600, just develop the Tri-X in Diafine. You can still leave it in your carry-on.

 

[imush]

Ok, thanks, I'll try ask them, if not, I'll just keep cool.
No, I won't shoot Tri-X at 1600, I use Neopan for that.

 

[Peter A (NYC)]

I had no problems getting quick hand inspection of my film going into and out of SVO airport in Moscow three months ago. But don't even think of shopping for film there, unless you know a local pro who can guide you.

 

[imush]

I had no problems getting quick hand inspection of my film going into and out of SVO airport in Moscow three months ago. But don't even think of shopping for film there, unless you know a local pro who can guide you.

Thanks, it's good to know.
into? Do they scan your luggage coming in? I do not recall such a thing.

 

[Melvin]

I've just kept the film on me before and it didn't set off the metal detector, I think they're aluminum.

 

[Arvay]

Russian customs has a special X-ray maschines that are four times stronger than American.
That's why passing the x-ray checker in SVO you are getting your MRT on the exit together with your passport.
Customs officers are very much specialised on hand expection of film. Each time they get a tourist with some film in their hands they turn mad and examine film in every way taking it out of its covers and examining it for transparency even it is not developed yet.
There is a special "film corridor" in SVO for those who carrying film. No need to say film should be declared and you can not bring more than one film of each speed.

 

[35mmdelux]

I visited Moscow before they served Coca Cola and I choked on their fruit drinks. It was either that or straight vodka. Everybody got blitz during lunch. Enjoy.

 

[Freakscene]

I've once seen a Delta 3200 clouded with fog, and am since careful.

Thanks, but experiences from the 70s are not relevant; I was born there myself. I am, in fact, a Russian citizen (as well as American), but have not gone there for 8 or 9 years, and never crossed that border with undeveloped film. So I was looking for those who have done it.

My comments are from a half dozen trips since 2005.

And yes, they screen you coming in too. You also go through a security screen on the way into the airport, before you check in, unlike most western countries.

Marty

 

[btgc]

There is a special "film corridor" in SVO for those who carrying film. No need to say film should be declared and you can not bring more than one film of each speed.

That reminds me my childhood when I were kid and we went from then-USSR to East Germany. Just got memories of stone faced officers, careful inspection and looks "kid, you'd be better telling truth already". All that madness declaring each single piece of crap...

I think in Moscow are shops having APX and Neopan, if locals on Net or in town could provide guidance. It could be problem to spot them on the run for tourist, though researching before could help.

 

[imush]

Well, I went and they were actually very considerate in Moscow as well as in JFK, and took the film past the machine. Not that it matters, probably 🙂

 

[uhligfd]

All the snide remarks to the dustbin of hatred.

Why hate, and so much is beyond me.

I went to Moskow 2 years ago with plenty of 400 ISO film. In and out, in my carry-on luggage: not a blemish when I developed them back home.

The high ISO film might fare worse, even at JFK. There are warning signs for high ISO film at every US airport ... even in carry-on. But you can always ask, be nice and hope ...

Russia is full of nice people unlike some of the posters before ... and it has its mean deviants, too, just as we have on this forum.