Transport for Film Industry & Set Logistics
Shooting schedules shift, locations change, but the equipment has to be on set before the first clapperboard drops — which is why Logisticoo runs set logistics for productions, rental houses and studios: camera, lighting and sound equipment, stage gear, props and set design. Film equipment travels in flight cases and on trolleys, is high-value, delicate and mostly rented — every bit of damage costs double, every late case stops the shoot. We therefore transport in closed box-body vehicles with a tail lift, lash cases with a positive fit and run on air-suspended axles. Our dispatch team works as flexibly as your production: an overnight location change, collection after wrap at 11 p.m., delivery for the start of shooting at 6 a.m., additional runs at short notice when equipment is reordered. For shoots abroad outside the EU we support handling with an ATA Carnet, so that the equipment leaves and re-enters free of customs duty. From the Sprinter for the reorder to the articulated truck for the complete lighting package, you get the fixed price in 30 minutes — and a dispatcher who knows the unit manager’s number.
Vehicles & equipment
In use are air-suspended box-body vehicles from the Sprinter to the articulated truck, throughout with a tail lift and lashing rails for flight cases and trolleys; on request a second driver runs long distances without a mandatory break.
Typical requirements
- Delivery and collection exactly per the shooting schedule, including at night and at weekends
- Gentle transport of flight cases and camera, lighting and sound equipment
- Short-notice location changes and additional runs within hours
- ATA Carnet handling for shoots outside the EU
- High commodity value: direct run without transhipment, documented handovers
- Access and parking arrangements at inner-city locations and studios
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Typical consignments in film and set logistics
For productions, rental houses and studios we carry what is needed on set. First, camera equipment in flight cases — camera bodies, lenses, rigs, monitors — high-value and shock-sensitive. Second, lighting and grip equipment: lamps, stands, trusses, generators, cables and molton on trolleys and in cases. Third, sound and stage technology. Fourth, set design, props, costumes and dressing that change by location. Much of it is rented, which makes every bit of damage doubly expensive. Consignment size ranges from a single reordered case in the Sprinter to the complete lighting package in the articulated truck. Consignees are shooting locations, studios, rental warehouses and — for international productions — sets abroad.
Customs and rules in set logistics
Set logistics thrives on flexibility and clean securing. Flight cases and trolleys we lash with a positive fit via lashing rails in the closed box body, running on air-suspended axles so that delicate optics and electronics take no shocks. For high commodity value we choose the direct run without transhipment and document the handovers. For shoots outside the EU — Switzerland, the United Kingdom, overseas — the ATA Carnet is the practical route: professional equipment travels out and back free of customs duty, without import charges. The production applies for the Carnet at its Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK); we coordinate the item list and border clearance and factor the clearance times into the schedule. At inner-city locations we clarify access and parking arrangements in advance.
How a set transport works at Logisticoo
- Enquiry with equipment list, collection and shooting location, time window per the shooting schedule and details of international borders.
- Fixed price in 30 minutes, vehicle often still on the same day.
- Scheduling of an air-suspended box-body vehicle with tail lift, if needed with a second driver for long distances without a mandatory break.
- Collection after wrap, positive-fit securing of the cases.
- Overnight run to the next location, and for a shoot abroad with ATA Carnet clearance at the border.
- Delivery for the start of shooting, documented handover to the unit manager. If the shooting schedule shifts, we adjust collection and delivery time usually still on the same day — your dispatcher knows the unit manager’s number.
What does a set transport cost?
The fixed price is set in advance and itemises night and weekend assignments transparently. Rules of thumb per kilometre (±15%): Sprinter for reorders around €1.10/km (from €89), 7.5 t truck around €1.45/km (from €169), 12 t truck around €1.65/km (from €219), articulated truck for the complete lighting package around €1.95/km (from €379). Example: an overnight direct run with the box-body vehicle from Berlin to Hamburg (around 290 km) for a location change comes to roughly €320–390. Surcharges arise for a two-driver crew, a night start, additional runs at short notice and Carnet clearance. Fixed production support over several shooting days we charge more favourably than individual runs.
Set-logistics consignments and the right handling
| Equipment | Special feature | Vehicle/securing | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera equipment (cases) | high-value, shock-sensitive | Air-suspended, direct run | For the start of shooting |
| Lighting & grip | bulky, heavy | Articulated truck + tail lift | Set-up/tear-down window |
| Sound & stage | delicate | Box-body vehicle, lashing rails | Per shooting schedule |
| Set design/props | changes by location | Sprinter/7.5 t, flexible | Location change, often at night |
| Shoot abroad | Non-EU | Box body + ATA Carnet | With border clearance |
Frequently asked questions
The shooting schedule has shifted — how short-notice can you reschedule?
Shifts are part of everyday life in set logistics, which is why we keep the planning flexible until the last moment. Report the change to your dispatcher as soon as it is confirmed — as a rule we adjust collection and delivery time still on the same day. We also schedule complete additional runs usually within a few hours.
We are shooting in Switzerland — what about customs for our equipment?
For temporary exports of professional equipment to non-EU countries such as Switzerland or the United Kingdom, the ATA Carnet is the most practical route: the equipment travels out and back free of customs duty. The production applies for the Carnet at its Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK); we coordinate the border clearance and the item list with you and factor the clearance times into the schedule.
How gently do you transport rented camera and lighting equipment?
Flight cases and trolleys travel with us in the closed box body on air-suspended axles and are secured with a positive fit via lashing rails, so that optics and electronics take no shocks. For high value we choose the direct run without transhipment and document the handovers. That way the rented equipment comes back undamaged — any damage to rental equipment would cost double.
Do you also run to the location at night and at weekends?
Yes, set logistics follows the shooting schedule, not office hours. Collection after wrap at 11 p.m. and delivery for the start of shooting at 6 a.m. are standard for us, as are weekend shoots. Night and weekend assignments we itemise transparently in the fixed price, so that no surprise arises after booking.
How short-notice can you reschedule on a shooting-schedule shift?
Shifts are part of everyday life in set logistics, which is why we keep the planning flexible until the last moment. As soon as the change is confirmed, report it to your dispatcher — as a rule we adjust collection and delivery time still on the same day, and we also schedule complete additional runs for reordered equipment usually within a few hours.