Planning a shoot in China? Whether you’re bringing your own gear or renting locally, Shoot In China provides full-scale support for both paths. With over a decade of experience supporting international and domestic productions, we ensure your gear—whether carried with you or sourced locally—is legal, reliable, and ready on time.
Walk-Through Customs with Camera Equipment in China
If you’re flying in with equipment, knowing the customs process can save you serious time and stress. Many production teams assume they can simply walk through with cameras—but China requires formal documentation for professional filming kits. This includes:
- Multiple cameras or drones
- Audio mixers and light panels
- Grip equipment and custom-built rigs
Without the proper declarations, gear may be held, taxed, or confiscated. We help you avoid that.
ATA Carnet vs Local Declaration
China recognizes the ATA Carnet, a global customs pass for temporary imports. If your home country supports it, this is the smoothest method. It’s especially useful for:
- High-value items like ARRI Alexa, RED, and cine lenses
- Time-sensitive shoots
- Temporary imports with guaranteed export
If ATA Carnet isn’t an option, we coordinate a temporary import declaration with local customs authorities. We walk you through both options and help you choose the most efficient route.
Step-by-Step: Importing Your Film Gear into China
- Send us your gear list – Make, model, serial number, and declared value.
- We advise your import plan – Carnet or custom clearance?
- We translate & submit paperwork – Including any required licenses.
- We meet you at the airport – Our fixer helps navigate customs.
Whether you’re arriving in Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, or Hong Kong International, our bilingual crew will walk your gear through customs with you.
Avoid the Hassle: Rent Gear in China Instead
Want to skip customs entirely? Our China filming equipment rental services are fast, easy, and fully supported by technicians and transport staff. We operate in all major cities, with kits that meet global broadcast standards.
Available Gear Categories:
- 🎥 Cameras – ARRI Alexa Mini LF, RED Komodo/X, Sony Venice/FX9, Canon C300/C500
- 🔍 Lenses – Cooke Anamorphic, Zeiss Supreme, Angénieux Optimo, Canon Zoom
- 💡 Lighting – ARRI SkyPanel, Aputure LS600/1200, Kino Flo, HMI kits
- 🎙️ Audio – Sound Devices 833/888, Sennheiser G4, Deity TC, boom kits
- 🚗 Grip – Dana Dolly, Easy Rig, Ronin 2, car mounts, jibs, sliders
- 🛸 Drones – DJI Inspire 3, Mavic 3 Cine, FPV kits, 360 VR aerial rigs
All rentals come with prep, tech checks, and optional crew support.
Licensed Drone Filming in China
Aerial shooting is powerful—but tightly regulated in China. We provide legal drone solutions with licensed operators and pre-cleared flight permissions. Our team handles:
- Drone registration with CAAC
- Airspace permissions for cities, heritage zones, and ports
- On-set drone pilots with public liability insurance
Applications include:
- FPV & cinematic drone flythroughs
- 360° and VR mapping
- Timelapse and hyperlapse aerials
Full Crew Support Across China
Gear is just the beginning. Shoot In China can assemble your full crew:
- Bilingual producers, coordinators & fixers
- Directors, DPs, camera operators, gaffers, grips
- Makeup artists, art directors, stylists, ACs
- Audio techs, drone pilots, data wranglers
We vet and schedule every crew member, making sure your shoot runs smoothly from call sheet to wrap.
Filming Cities We Serve
We provide crew and filming gear rental across China:
- Shanghai
- Beijing
- Shenzhen
- Guangzhou
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
- Hangzhou
- Qingdao
- Xi’an
- Hong Kong
Need a crew in a remote location? Let us know—we’ve filmed from the Gobi Desert to remote shipyards.
Why Choose Shoot In China?
- ✅ Trusted by BBC, VICE, HBO, Apple, and Fortune 500 brands
- ✅ 10+ years of bilingual production experience
- ✅ Nationwide gear and crew availability
- ✅ Airport clearance & customs support
From boutique productions to multinational campaigns, we make your China shoot seamless.
Get Started Today
Need gear, crew, or help walking through Chinese customs? Contact Shoot In China today:
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.shootinchina.com
Let us simplify your next shoot in China—so you can focus on the creative.