Is it possible to request hand inspection of photographic film in Indian airports?
Per What is the best way to carry photographic film when travelling?, when traveling with photographic film, it's best to pack it in hand luggage and request hand inspection of undeveloped film.
In the United States, there's an explicit TSA rule that allows you to request hand inspection of undeveloped film, and in all cases, the security officers will respect that. However, from what I've read online, security checkpoints in some countries often insist that one put undeveloped film through the scanners. (While this often results in not much visible effect for lower-speed films, it can be a problem if it's scanned multiple times, especially when transiting through different countries, and higher-speed films shouldn't be scanned at all.)
I've searched online, but I've not been able to find any information on the security rules for India, unlike the U.S. TSA which fully documents its rules online.
Is it possible or easy to request that photographic film be hand inspected at airport security checkpoints in India? Will Indian security officers usually honor the request?
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Can I ask for a hand inspection at TSA?
Checked Bags: Yes We recommend that you put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on bags or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask for a hand inspection.Can camera film go through airport security?
Note: X rays from airport scanners don't affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed, i.e. film from which you have received prints, slides, KODAK PHOTO CD Discs, or KODAK Picture CDs. This document also does not cover how mail sanitization affects film.Can film go in checked luggage?
Never put film in a 'checked' bag The scanners used for checked baggage are more powerful than those used in carry-on luggage and will very likely fog your film. Film and loaded cameras should always be taken in carry-on luggage.Do airport scanners expose film?
The x-ray scanners used by airports for security can actually expose and damage your unexposed film. It is best to take it in carry-on cabin luggage, as the scanners used for these bags aren't as powerful and therefore there is less potential for damage. It is sometimes possible to request a hand inspection for films.Airport Security VS Film -- how to travel through airport security with photographic film?
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