Film Packaging for International Shipping

[laroygreen]

Hi folks,

I have a semi-odd question around how large format (4x5) film is packaged. LF film is not sold where I live so I have to import and for the last 5 yrs I have been importing and shooting Kodak Portra, Ektar and Fuji FP100C. Recently, I wanted to start trying different films, including BW and reversal film and I imported a box of Ilford HP5 but I realized a major issue! The Customs Division here occasionally open up the boxes of film to make sure nothing illegal is within the boxes; if they damage the sealed foil pouch, I would notice when loading the film, at which point I can make a claim and get a refund for the damage (I still lose about 20USD on each box but I've come to terms with it). Trouble is, Ilford HP5 does not come in a sealed pouch, just a black folded plastic bag; there is no way for me to tell if the film was exposed or not and even if I did, I couldn't prove that Customs exposed the sheets as the box and plastic bag dont have any signs it was inspected. Questions:

• Is Fuji slide film packaged in a sealed foil pouch like Kodak colour negative film?
• Are Kodak BW films packaged the same way as their colour films?
• Are there any Ilford films or other BW stocks (non-Kodak) that come in a sealed foil pouch?

I don't have any issues with 120 film, only 4x5 which is my preferred format. Thanks for any assistance!

 

[bdial]

Kodak B&W films are packaged the same way as their color films (i.e. a sealed pouch).

The outer boxes of Ilford are sealed with tape, along with the label, as I recall, could you make a claim based on the violation of the outer seal?

 

[laroygreen]

Hi bdial, thanks for responding and good to know that Kodak films are all packaged like that. I will probably order some Tri-X (never shot it as I first tried HP5 and HP4 and liked it a lot). The tape on the Ilford box is pretty flimsy and Customs here are expected to open up boxes to look inside so that argument with them would be a non-starter. I am ok with using Kodak BW over Ilford in this instance, but I would really like to start using Fuji slide film but 72USD is a large amount to gamble on.