Taking 35mm film into Italy

Customs folks are not idiots. On the really oddball chance that they line up your cannisters and count them, they'll also be looking at your two cameras and a bunch of assorted stuff as well.

It'll take them two seconds two figure out that you're not in the film importing business so, they will do nothing.

The absolute worst case is that they would make you pay an import duty. I can't do math that small in my head without moving my lips.

While the rule is 10 rolls per camera, I don't think you'll have a problem taking 20 rolls even though one of your cameras is digital. You can always buy film in Italy if you run out.

Donna

I took about 50 rolls of film to Italy in 2003. Didn't have a problem with the number of rolls that I took but on a side note, I did have a problem when we flew home through Switzerland in that they wouldn't allow me to put my film through the X-ray machines in lead bags which are made for this purpose. They made me take all my film out of the bags. I fought bag & forth unsuccessfully & then had to watch my 50 exposed rolls go through the X-ray machines. I practically cried right there & was worried sick the whole flight home. Luckily there was no damage! This was the last time I shot film because of all the stress! Have a great trip. I truly don't think you'll have any problems with taking more than 10 rolls.

I used to take 30-50 rolls with me for two cameras.

I don't hassle with film anymore. Professionally printed digital prints are better in my opinion.

I'm sorry, help me out here...what is "film?" And "rolls?"

Guess I missed that part about the number of rolls of film you could take into Italy on our first trip....which was the last time I used 35mm film. We had 2 cameras and about 40 rolls. Customs never blinked an eye.

Thank you all for your comments. My bags are packed with the 20 rolls of 35 mm in lead bags in the carry on. Will post if I have any problems. I am only staying a night or two at the airport in Rome and then on to istanbul.
Ann

Or why not consider an upgrade to digital? Less film to haul around, you can take A LOT more pictures, and chances are the quality of digital pictures will be way better. I went through some print pictures I took 10 years ago and there were so many junk pictures. Film (rolls & printing) is so expensive these days and the pictures can be a big disappointment. If at all possible, I would encourage you to go digital.

You don't actually need the lead bag. I know what it's for but if you ask the screener to hand screen your film they will. I've never had a problem with this before. I gave up carrying the lead bag a long time ago. Now I just put my film in a zip lock back, hand it to the screener and put it back in my bag when I'm done. There was only one time when the screener wanted me to take the film out of their cases. After about 15 rolls she said that was enough and let us continue.

Donna

I've brought in more than that in the past. No one in customs overseas has ever bugged me about bringing anything in.

I did have a Munich security agent laugh and throw the film through the xray scanner when I requested a handcheck of it