How to post your film

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What's the best way to post film?

The postal services are great at delivering film to us safely and consistently. The biggest risk we come across is actually envelopes breaking. And, in particular, it is the normal single ply paper envelopes that are at risk. These thin envelopes aren't designed for small items and can tear when a bit of pressure is applied, for instance, in the large post bags that carry many letters. So our number one tip is...

Avoid single layer letter envelopes.

Padded envelopes are great—they never tear and pretty much always arrive whole and well. Plastic envelopes are also robust but slightly more susceptible to a hole if they are stretched at some point. But if the film is placed in another plastic bag inside that should stand up to a lot of abuse and be a good call. There are also padded envelopes without plastic that are excellent. Boxes are great too if they are robust and taped well around any gaps.

We recommend...

So, we highly recommend a good padded envelope for your film so that it can withstand the journey with ease and we can look forward to working with the contents!

Then send on over to:

Southsun
Unit 8
11 - 17 Exmouth Place
London
E8 3RW

Posting from outside the UK:

Step 1: Fill Out the Customs Declaration Form (CN22 / CN23) When booking your shipment you will be asked to fill out a customs declaration. Please use these exact details:

  • Category of Item: Select "Other" and write "Temporary Import for Processing & Return" right next to it. (Don't select "Gift" or "Sale of Goods").
  • Description of Contents: "Exposed photographic film rolls, undeveloped. Sent for laboratory processing and return. No commercial value."
  • Commodity / HS Code: 3704.00.00 (This tells customs the film is exposed but not yet developed).
  • Declared Value: Value the package only at the cost of the raw physical film itself (something like £2 a roll.) Don't include the cost of our developing services  or customs will accidentally charge you import tax!

Step 2: Write This on the Outside of the Package:

ATTN CUSTOMS: TEMPORARY IMPORT FOR PROCESSING AND RE-EXPORT (This tells UK customs officers that the film is only visiting the country to be developed and shouldn't be charged standard import duties.)

DO NOT X-RAY / PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM(This protects your unexposed film from high-output airport security and freight scanners that can fog or ruin your latent images.)