There is nothing quite like the feeling of shooting film while traveling. You are constantly hunting for good light, framing unfamiliar streets through your viewfinder, and letting those moments sit unseen on a tiny roll of emulsion. But if you are on an extended trip, carrying all that exposed film around starts to get stressful.

I totally get it. You might be three weeks into a two-month backpacking trip across Europe or Asia, and your bag is already heavy with a dozen exposed rolls of Portra and Tri-X. Then there is the looming threat of airport security. With the rapid rollout of the new, ultra-powerful 3D CT scanners at airport security checkpoints all over the world, flying with film has become a massive headache. While the older X-ray machines were generally okay for film under ISO 800, these new CT scanners will absolutely fry your film in a single pass. And depending on what country you are in, TSA-style hand checks are not always a guaranteed option.

So, what is the best way to protect your precious memories and lighten your load? Ship it. Sending your exposed film home, or straight to your favorite lab, is the smartest move you can make on a long trip. Here is exactly how to pack, prep, and mail your film safely while you are still out exploring.

Decide Where It is Going

First, you need to decide if you are mailing the film back to your own address or sending it directly to a photo lab. Personally, I almost always mail it right to the lab. Why?

• Efficiency: If you send it to the lab, they can process and scan your negatives while you are still traveling. There is nothing cooler than sitting in a cafe in a completely different timezone and getting a WeTransfer link full of scans from the first leg of your trip.
• Security: If you ship it to your apartment and you are not home, the package might sit on your porch in the hot sun, or worse, get stolen. Labs receive packages every single day and have secure drop-offs.

If you choose to mail it to a lab, make sure to visit their website first. Fill out their mail-in order form, pay for your processing online, and save the order number. You will need to include this inside the box so they know who the film belongs to.

Prepping Your Rolls for the Journey

Do not just toss loose rolls into a box. You need to prep them to survive a bumpy ride across the globe.

For 35mm film, you want to make sure the leaders are wound all the way into the canister. This prevents the film from accidentally being caught and ripped out, and it makes it obvious that the roll is exposed. If you leave the leader out, fold the tip of the leader over itself so you know it is shot. I usually take a small piece of masking tape and write my name and any push/pull instructions right on the canister. If you shot a roll of HP5 at 1600, tape it up and write "PUSH +2" in permanent marker.

For 120 medium format film, preparation is even more critical. Because medium format film does not have a metal canister, it can easily unspool in transit, which will let light leak in and ruin the edges of your frames. When you finish a roll of 120, pull the adhesive band tight and lick it (or peel the sticker) to seal it. Then, to be extra safe, wrap a small piece of tape around the roll. Do not trust the factory adhesive alone when your film is bouncing around in the back of a cargo van.

Packing the Box Like a Pro

When it comes to shipping film, padding and moisture control are everything.

Step 1: Water protection. The cargo holds of airplanes and delivery trucks can experience massive temperature and humidity swings. Put all your prepped rolls inside a thick Ziploc bag. If you are somewhere humid, toss in a couple of silica gel packets if you have them lying around in your luggage. Seal the bag with as much air squeezed out as possible.

Step 2: Choose a sturdy box. Do not use a soft bubble mailer. Bubble mailers get crushed under heavy boxes. Go to a local post office or shipping store and buy a small, rigid cardboard box. It should be just big enough to hold your film with a little room to spare.

Step 3: Padding. Place your Ziploc bag of film in the center of the box. Surround it with crumpled newspaper, bubble wrap, or even clean socks if you are desperately using what is in your backpack. Shake the box. If you hear the film rattling around, you need more padding. It should feel completely solid.

Step 4: The Paperwork. If you are sending it to a lab, do not forget to include your order form inside the box. If you do not have access to a printer at your hostel or hotel, neatly hand-write a note with your name, phone number, email address, return address, and your lab order number. Place this note right on top of the film before sealing the box.

Dealing with Couriers and Customs

This is where a lot of photographers get nervous. If you are shipping internationally, you have to fill out a customs declaration form (usually a CN22 or CN23 form). What do you write?

Keep it honest but clear and legally boring. I write: "Exposed photographic film for processing - NO COMMERCIAL VALUE."

Do not write "Camera gear" or just "camera film." Customs agents might think you are shipping brand new inventory to sell and hit your lab—or you—with import duties, which will stall your package. By explicitly stating that it is exposed and has no commercial value, it generally sails right through customs.

As for the X-ray fear during shipping: package couriers (like DHL, FedEx, UPS, or national postal services) do use scanners for cargo, but these are typically high-energy cargo scanners meant for massive pallets, not the localized 3D CT scanners used for carry-on luggage. Your film is vastly safer deep inside a cardboard box on a cargo plane than it is going through the security line at the passenger terminal. Still, I always write "DO NOT X-RAY - PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM" in big sharpie letters on the outside of the box. It might not change the automated sorting process, but it cannot hurt if a human needs to inspect it.

The Sweet Relief of a Lighter Bag

Once you hand that box over to the postal clerk and get your tracking number, you will immediately feel a weight lift off your shoulders. Not only do you have more room in your camera bag to pick up local souvenirs or extra gear, but you also do not have to have that stressful negotiation with the airport security agent on your flight home.

Speaking of gear, if you just shipped all your film and realized your current travel setup is feeling a little too heavy for the rest of your trip, it might be time to switch to something more pocketable. Having a lightweight daily carry makes a world of difference when you are on your feet all day. Check out our selection of amazing travel-ready cameras by running a quick search for a point and shoot camera. Or, if you need a better way to lug your stuff around on your next stop, grab a new camera bag to keep your remaining rolls organized and safe from the elements.

Shipping film takes an extra hour out of your travel itinerary, but it buys you weeks of peace of mind. Get a good box, tape your rolls tight, declare it clearly, and get back out there with your camera. The best light of the trip is probably still waiting for you.