Knowledge Base

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about renting with CineRentals.

Getting Started

How does renting from CineRentals work?
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Pick your gear, choose your dates, check out. We ship everything the day before your rental starts, with a prepaid return label right in the box. When you're done, repack it, slap on the label, and drop it at FedEx. That's it. Check out our How it Works guide for the full walkthrough.

What cameras and equipment can I rent from CineRentals?
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We carry professional cinema cameras, mirrorless cameras, prime and zoom lenses (including cinema primes and anamorphic), monitors, tripods and fluid heads, gimbals and stabilizers, wireless video transmitters, wireless audio systems, shotgun microphones, field recorders, LED lighting, filters, media cards, batteries, chargers, cables, camera cages, baseplates, and rigging accessories. Brands include Canon, Sony, Blackmagic Design, RED, DJI, DZOFILM, Blazar, Sirui, NiSi, Rode, Sennheiser, SmallHD, Atomos, Aputure, amaran, Tilta, Bright Tangerine, Sachtler, and many more.

Do you rent to individuals or only production companies?
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Both! We work with solo shooters, freelancers, students, and full production companies. You just need to be 18 or older.

Do you offer corporate or production company accounts?
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We're working on self-service corporate accounts, but in the meantime, reach out to us directly. We're happy to discuss streamlined checkout, higher instant-approval limits, and consolidated billing for your team.

Where is CineRentals located?
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Hollywood, Los Angeles, California — right in the heart of the film industry. We ship nationwide, but local pickup is also available by arrangement.

Where do you ship camera equipment rentals?
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Everywhere in the U.S. — all 50 states serviced by FedEx. We don't ship internationally yet. We also can't ship to PO boxes, freight forwarders, or package forwarding services.

Placing an Order

How far in advance should I place my order?
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We recommend at least 12 business hours before your desired ship date. For example, an order placed Thursday evening would ship Friday. An order placed Friday evening would ship Monday. Popular items during peak seasons (wedding season, film festivals) may book out quickly, so we recommend ordering as early as possible for in-demand gear.

What is the minimum rental duration?
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One charged day is the minimum rental. Your gear arrives the day before your first charged day and must be returned the day after your last charged day.

Can I rent equipment for 30 days or longer?
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Definitely. We support rentals up to 90+ days for long-form productions, and the rates get significantly better the longer you go — a 30-day rental saves you roughly 80% per day compared to a single-day rate.

When is my credit card charged?
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Your card is authorized at checkout to confirm availability of funds, but the actual charge is processed when your order ships. If your order is cancelled before shipping, no charge is made.

Do I need to pay a deposit?
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Most orders don't require one. Our system evaluates each order individually, and the majority of customers check out with no deposit at all. If your order does require a refundable deposit, you'll see the exact amount at checkout — no surprises. Paying by ACH (bank transfer) gets you 20% off the deposit. Either way, deposits are fully refunded when the gear comes back safe.

What payment methods do you accept?
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We accept major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and ACH bank transfers. ACH payments may receive discounts on deposits where applicable.

Can I modify my order after placing it?
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Just give us a shout. If it hasn't shipped yet, we can usually make changes. Once it's with FedEx, we'll work with you on a separate transaction.

Can I cancel my order?
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Yes — free cancellation any time before it ships. Once FedEx has it, we can't pull it back, but you can return it through our normal return process.

Verification & Security

What verification is required to rent equipment?
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It depends on the order, but most customers breeze through with just their payment and shipping info — no extra steps. For higher-value orders, we may ask for a quick photo ID (takes about 30 seconds) or a bank account connection. If anything extra is needed, the checkout flow walks you through it.

Do you run a credit check?
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Nope. No credit report, no Social Security number, ever.

Is my personal information safe?
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Yes. We use encrypted, tokenized verification — we don't store raw biometric data, bank login credentials, or sensitive personal information on our servers. Payments go through Stripe with PCI-compliant tokenization, and identity verification is handled by Plaid under their own privacy policy. Full details in our Privacy Policy.

Why was I asked for additional verification?
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We ship tens of thousands of dollars in gear, so higher-value orders sometimes need an extra quick step to protect both you and the equipment. It's standard in the industry, and we've made it as painless as possible — usually under 30 seconds.

What is Fast Track?
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Fast Track is our way of rewarding repeat customers. After two successful returns, you may qualify for faster checkout, higher instant-approval limits, and a smoother experience on future orders. It kicks in automatically — no application needed.

Shipping & Delivery

How much does shipping cost?
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Shipping rates are based on equipment size and weight, organized into six tiers ranging from $19 (standard) to $117 (overnight) for the first item, with reduced rates for additional items in the same order. Your shipping tier is displayed on each product page and in your cart before checkout.

Do you offer overnight shipping?
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Yes. Overnight shipping is available on all orders at a premium over standard shipping. Rates vary by tier from $29 to $117 for the first item.

How quickly will my order ship?
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We process orders within 12 business hours. Same-day shipping isn't a standard option yet, but if you're in a bind, call or email us before 2:00 PM Pacific and we'll do everything we can to get it out the door.

Do you ship to Alaska and Hawaii?
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Yes. We ship to all 50 U.S. states serviced by FedEx.

Do you ship internationally?
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Not at this time. We currently serve the U.S. domestic market only.

Can I ship to a hotel or production office?
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Yes — as long as the address is serviceable by FedEx and someone is available to sign for the delivery. We recommend contacting the front desk or office manager to ensure they will accept and hold the package.

Is a signature required on delivery?
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Adult signature is required for high-value shipments (residential deliveries over $5,000 and business deliveries over $25,000). For all other deliveries, signature requirements follow standard FedEx policies.

What if my package is delayed by FedEx?
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Let us know right away. We'll adjust your rental dates so you're not paying for days you couldn't use the gear. Carrier delays are on FedEx, not you.

Can I redirect my shipment after it's been sent?
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No. For security purposes, shipping address changes or redirects are not permitted once a shipment has been initiated.

Returns

How do I return my rental?
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Repackage all equipment in the original cases and packaging, attach the prepaid FedEx return label (included in your box and emailed to you), and drop off at any FedEx location or schedule a FedEx pickup. Returns must be dropped off the day after your last charged rental day.

Is return shipping included with my camera rental?
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Yes. A prepaid FedEx return label is included in every shipment and also sent to you via email. You don't need to arrange or pay for return shipping.

What if I lose the return label?
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No worries — just reach out and we'll email you a new one right away.

Where do I drop off my return?
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Any FedEx location, FedEx drop box (if the package fits), or you can schedule a FedEx pickup at your address through fedex.com.

What time do I need to return by?
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Your return package must be dropped off at FedEx on the day after your last charged rental day. We recommend dropping off before the last FedEx pickup time at your location (usually 5:00–7:00 PM).

What happens if I return my rental late?
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Late returns without an approved extension are charged at your daily rental rate for each extra day. The easy way to avoid this: extend your rental through your account before the end of your last charged day.

Can I return some items early and keep others?
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Sure — just reach out to us. We'll send a separate return label and adjust your billing accordingly.

Rental Extensions

Can I extend my rental?
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Yes! Just log in to your account and extend your dates. If you run into any trouble, give us a call or shoot us an email and we'll take care of it.

How much does an extension cost?
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Your rate is recalculated based on the new total duration, so longer extensions actually bring your daily rate down. You'll see the exact cost before you confirm.

When is the deadline to request an extension?
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Extension requests must be submitted by the end of your last charged rental day at the latest. We strongly recommend requesting extensions as early as possible to ensure equipment availability.

What if someone else has booked the equipment after me?
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Extensions depend on availability. If someone else has the gear reserved after you, we may not be able to extend — but we'll always try to find you an alternative.

CineShield Protection

What is CineShield?
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CineShield is our optional damage waiver. It protects you from the full cost of accidental damage, theft, and other covered incidents during your rental — so an accident on set doesn't become a financial disaster.

Is CineShield required?
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No. CineShield is completely optional. Without it, you are responsible for the full replacement value of any damaged, lost, or stolen equipment.

What does CineShield cover?
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CineShield covers accidental damage from drops, impacts, and liquid spills; theft (including theft from an unlocked vehicle, with a police report); fire, vandalism, and natural disasters; and electrical damage from power surges.

What does CineShield NOT cover?
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CineShield does not cover intentional damage or gross negligence; normal wear and tear; cosmetic damage that doesn't affect equipment function; or loss without proper documentation.

Does CineShield cover theft from an unlocked vehicle?
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Yes. Unlike many competitors, CineShield covers theft from an unlocked vehicle when accompanied by a filed police report. This is one of the most common theft scenarios in production, and we believe you shouldn't be penalized for it.

How much does CineShield cost?
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CineShield pricing is based on the total replacement value of your order. For orders under $2,500 in equipment value, CineShield is just 5% of your rental charge (minimum $5). For orders $2,500 and above, it's a flat base rate covering the first 5 days plus a per-day rate for additional days. CineShield is not available for orders over $30,000 in equipment value — contact us for insurance options. Full pricing is displayed during checkout.

What is the CineShield deductible?
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Deductibles are based on your order's equipment value. For orders under $2,500: 10% of equipment value. For higher tiers: $500 (up to $7,500 equipment value), $1,000 ($7,501–$20,000), or $2,500 ($20,001–$30,000). These are competitive with or lower than industry standard deductibles.

How does CineShield compare to other rental protection plans?
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CineShield covers theft from unlocked vehicles (most competitors won't touch that), our deductibles are competitive with or lower than the industry norm, pricing is transparent and flat-rate for higher-value gear, and coverage above $2,500 is backed by Athos Insurance. You get real protection, not fine-print exclusions.

Can I add CineShield after checkout?
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You can add it during checkout, and we may offer it again before your order ships if you skipped it. Once the gear is on the truck, though, it's too late to add it.

What do I do if something is damaged or stolen?
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Contact us immediately. For theft, file a police report as soon as possible. We'll guide you through the claims process. With CineShield, your maximum liability is limited to the deductible amount for your tier.

Equipment & Quality

What condition is the equipment in?
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Every item is cleaned, inspected, and function-tested before it goes out. Firmware gets updated, batteries are topped off, and media cards are formatted. When you open the box, the gear is ready to roll.

What accessories are included with my rental?
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Each rental ships with the accessories you'd expect from a professional rental house — but they vary by product, so check the product page for the full list. If you need extra batteries, cables, or media, those are all available to add to your order.

What if the equipment doesn't work when I receive it?
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Call or email us right away. We'll troubleshoot with you on the spot, and if we can't fix it remotely, we'll arrange a replacement or give you a full refund. You're never charged for gear that doesn't work.

Can I modify or alter the equipment?
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You can mount your own accessories using standard attachment points (hot shoes, 1/4"-20 threads, etc.), but please don't make any permanent modifications to the gear.

What if I notice pre-existing damage when I receive the gear?
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Snap a few photos and let us know within 24 hours. We document everything before it ships, so this helps us keep our records straight and makes sure you're not held responsible for something that happened before your rental.

Billing & Pricing

How is rental pricing calculated?
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The longer you rent, the less you pay per day — it's that straightforward. Each product has a base weekly rate, and we scale from there. You'll see the exact price for your chosen duration on the product page and in your cart before you check out.

Is there a minimum order amount?
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There is no minimum order amount, but orders with rental charges under $25 incur a $15 small-order fee. Additionally, standard shipping orders under $25 have a $10 shipping surcharge, and overnight orders under $25 have an additional $15 shipping surcharge.

Do you charge sales tax?
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Yes. Sales tax is calculated based on your shipping address using current state and local tax rates.

When will I see the charge on my statement?
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You will see an authorization hold when you place your order, and the actual charge when your order ships. The authorization hold may appear on your statement immediately, but you are only charged the final amount when the order ships.

What if I'm charged incorrectly?
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Let us know and we'll fix it. We'll review the charge and get you a correction or refund right away.

Do you offer discounts for long-term rentals?
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Our rates automatically get better the longer you rent. A 30-day rental works out to about 80% less per day than a single-day rate — no coupon codes or special requests needed.

Are there any hidden fees?
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No. What you see at checkout is what you pay: rental charges, shipping, CineShield (if you chose it), and sales tax. The only charges that could come after are late return fees (daily rate per day), replacement charges for missing accessories, or damage charges (capped at your CineShield deductible if you have it).

Account & Support

How do I create an account?
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It happens automatically when you place your first order. After that, you can log in anytime to manage rentals, track shipments, extend dates, and view your history.

How do I contact customer support?
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Head to our Contact Us page for phone, email, and chat options. We're available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Pacific, with 24/7 emergency support for active productions.

What counts as an emergency for 24/7 support?
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Gear failure during an active shoot, a missing or damaged shipment affecting a production in progress, or anything time-critical that can't wait until the next business day. If you're on set and something's wrong, that counts.

I'm having trouble with my account. What should I do?
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Give us a call or send an email — we'll sort it out. Login issues, billing questions, order changes, whatever you need.

Local Pickup

Can I pick up my rental instead of having it shipped?
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Yes. We offer curbside pickup from our Hollywood, CA location by prior arrangement. Contact us in advance to schedule your pickup time.

Do I get a shipping discount for local pickup?
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A shipping refund may be offered on a case-by-case basis for local pickup orders.

Is same-day pickup available?
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Same-day pickup requests must be received before 2:00 PM Pacific and are subject to availability. We cannot guarantee same-day fulfillment.

Is there any equipment demonstration at pickup?
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Equipment is provided as-is for curbside pickup — we do not offer on-site equipment prep, testing, or demonstration during pickup.