Freight logistics, transit times, and costs for getting your gear to Alaska. Plus why you might not need to ship anything at all.

How to Ship Equipment to Alaska for Production

The First Question: Do You Need to Ship?


Before planning freight logistics, ask whether you actually need to ship your gear to Alaska. We maintain commercial-grade grip and electric packages in-state, including a full grip truck, LED and HMI lighting from Arri, Aputure, Litepanels, and Dedo, monitors, radios, generators, and batteries. Cinema camera systems including ARRI, RED, and Ronin 4D are available locally. Drone platforms are here.


For many productions, the only items that need to ship are specialty lenses, a DP's personal camera package, or specific props and wardrobe. Shipping a full G&E truck from LA when the same inventory exists in Alaska is an unnecessary cost.


If You Do Need to Ship


Air Freight
The fastest option. Anchorage's Ted Stevens International Airport is a major cargo hub (one of the busiest in the world for air freight). Shipments from LA or Seattle arrive next-day or same-day via Alaska Airlines Cargo, FedEx, or UPS. Air freight is the standard for time-sensitive production shipments.


Ground + Barge
For heavy or oversized equipment like grip trucks, vehicles, or large set pieces. Ground freight runs from the Lower 48 through Canada on the Alaska Highway to Anchorage or Fairbanks. Transit time is approximately 5-7 days from Seattle. For equipment destined for Southeast Alaska or Kodiak, barge service from Seattle is available with 7-10 day transit.


Checked Baggage
For smaller packages, Pelican cases of lenses and camera bodies can fly as checked baggage on commercial flights. This is often the most cost-effective method for a DP's personal kit.


Shipping to Remote Locations


Equipment destined for locations beyond Anchorage or Fairbanks requires additional logistics. Gear going to Juneau, Nome, Kodiak, or other communities without road access must fly in on regional carriers or arrive by barge. We coordinate all secondary freight logistics as part of our service producer responsibilities.


Customs


Alaska is a US state. There are no customs, no import duties, no carnet requirements, and no bonding. This is a significant advantage over international destinations like Iceland, Norway, or Canada where equipment shipments clear international customs and may be delayed or assessed fees.


Our Recommendation


Source locally wherever possible. Ship only what you cannot get here. We coordinate all equipment logistics including local sourcing, freight management, receiving, and delivery to set. Tell us what your departments need and we will build the most cost-effective equipment plan combining local inventory and shipped items. See our full G&E inventory and contact us with your equipment list.

Contact Us
We support all production sizes - from one-off shoots to 50-person international crews.
Submit a request or call/text at (830) 214-4021 to plan your shoot in Alaska.
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45161 W Glenn Hwy #1185
Chickaloon, AK 99674

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Based in Glacier View, Alaska
45161 W Glenn Hwy #1185
Chickaloon, AK 99674

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