Is it only for "firearms"? Is it required if taking a bow/crossbow to Africa?

It's really designed for anything of value, with a serial number, that you might be charged import tax on upon returning to the US. I put everything of value on mine such as cameras, laptop, gun, scope, binos, etc.

Thanks Todd.

Recommend you make copies as backup and get all laminated for durability. They have no expiration date.Should you lose the original a copy is a good place to start as they can accept it or call the issuing Customs office for reference via their retained copy.

Copies are good. BUT, for Firearms, an agent told me they have a special ink in their stamps, which they will be scanning moving forward (with Black Light of some sort) - as people have been forging them.

You can however beat this (again, according to Customs guy @ JFK), by having your F4457's copied - and notarized!

Cheers!
O

Todd is right, you can get a 4457 for anything of value, but I have never been asked for one for anything but weapons. The only issue with getting them for cameras, binos, computers, scopes, etc. is that you have to lug all that stuff to the Customs office to present the items to them for them to verify. It would be interesting to know whether anyone has ever had an issue with a camera, binos, or other non-weapon item getting back into the US.

I have tw0 bows and one rifle on mine.
Last year, they looked at the serial number of the rifle only. This year, I went bow only and they did not look at the form or serial number. That was in Atlanta.

Why did you have to "lug the items to the customs office"? All I had to do was fax the info to the customs agent and he filled out the 4457 and mailed it back to me. Never been asked for it on anything other than a rifle. They were not happy with a copy and not the original last time through customs tho. Bruce

Dealing with customs is just like dealing with the airlines. Sometimes you get someone who is good, sometimes they are having a bad day and sometimes they don't give a sh*t. I have taken stuff to get a 4457 and been told it is strictly for firearms only (which is not correct), I have had other officers gladly put whatever I wanted on it (cameras, scopes, etc.).
When entering the US I have had agents look it over carefully, some just disregard it and never once had anybody actually look at the guns.
Best to be prepared by having everything they will allow you to put on it and have extra copies just in case.
Now smile and bend over

Our local customs agents always want you there in person and with the firearms or other equipment that you are putting on the 4457. Ours will not issue you a 4457 without first inspecting the firearm. I have watched them inspect every rifle, run every rifle through their computer to check the serial number before issuing the 4457. They are always friendly. I always go right to Office Max on the way home from the airport and have my new 4457 laminated. I put scopes, cameras, binos etc. all on the 4457s. When I enter the U.S. through Atlanta, I have been checked with my firearms by customs 11 out of the last 12 times. They have always required matching the serial numbers on the applicable 4457s to the rifles that I am carrying. And, they have always run the serial numbers from the 4457s through their computer as well. Friendly and fast for the most part, but thorough as well. That's been my experience, including the last time in June.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Our local customs agents always want you there in person and with the firearms or other equipment that you are putting on the 4457. Ours will not issue you a 4457 without first inspecting the firearm. I have watched them inspect every rifle, run every rifle through their computer to check the serial number before issuing the 4457. They are always friendly. I always go right to Office Max on the way home from the airport and have my new 4457 laminated. I put scopes, cameras, binos etc. all on the 4457s. When I enter the U.S. through Atlanta, I have been checked with my firearms by customs 11 out of the last 12 times. They have always required matching the serial numbers on the applicable 4457s to the rifles that I am carrying. And, they have always run the serial numbers from the 4457s through their computer as well. Friendly and fast for the most part, but thorough as well. That's been my experience, including the last time in June.

My experience mirrors this. Atlanta customs almost always checks the 4457 over closely and matched to the guns. Dulles sometimes looks at them and sometimes doesn't. But I've always had to take the items in personally to the local customs office to get the form signed and filled in.

Todd is absolutely correct.

However, I had a curious Customs Agent inquire why I was including scopes, rangefinders, and cameras on the form the first time I went. His point was: who buys optics and electronics in Africa? Good point.

Since then, I've only included the rifles.

I'll fight the duty thing on the return end if necessary.

In my 12 trips to Africa and also various other countries I have NEVER had a Customs Agent ask for or look at my 4457 that I have religiously had prepared and carried!! I have never had any agent preparing one check serial numbers by computer and I have been told by several Customs agents ,,, "NEVER volunteer the 4457, only provide it if you are asked for it or other proof of ownership." I put all equipment on it that has serial numbers especially foreign made cameras, binocs, scopes and range finders and of course rifles and shotguns...
I have cleared in through WA DC, NY, Atlanta, LA and Seattle of recent....no problems.
Cheers

Just like the very different TSA procedures at different airports. I just returned on Sunday in NY (JFK), once the Customes agent saw I had firearms I was taken to the SHIPS office for inspection, and review of the 4457 forms. He was careful to match up the serial numbers.

Gillettehunter,

We are so lucky here in Wyoming to have a U.S. Customs agent that uses common sense instead of getting his panties in a wad over a non issue. He is a pleasure to deal with.

Mark

Last year when my wife and I went to Zim, we needed new 4457s for our new rifles. When I called Customs at LAX, they insisted that I bring proof of ownership for each firearm. Anyone else ever have a problem with this? Most of us probably own guns for which there is no paper trail. I hate the idea that I am restricted in what rifle(s) I can take to those for which I have purchase info. I'm sure the CBP guy was all wet, but how does one do "battle with a badge?"

quote:

Originally posted by 470EDDY:
In my 12 trips to Africa and also various other countries I have NEVER had a Customs Agent ask for or look at my 4457 that I have religiously had prepared and carried!! I have never had any agent preparing one check serial numbers by computer and I have been told by several Customs agents ,,, "NEVER volunteer the 4457, only provide it if you are asked for it or other proof of ownership." I put all equipment on it that has serial numbers especially foreign made cameras, binocs, scopes and range finders and of course rifles and shotguns...
I have cleared in through WA DC, NY, Atlanta, LA and Seattle of recent....no problems.
Cheers

There is much wisdom in your post.

NEVER volunteer info.

I am a pretty friendly, chatty person. But .gov officials are not your friend. Be polite, smile, but don't engage in small talk. You may say something that seems very innocent to you that is taken the wrong way and open yourself up to more scrutiny and delay even though you have done nothing wrong.

Sad, but that's the world we live in these days.

Tim- unless there are special laws in CA that require you to have proof of purchase/ownership, you can just ignore the request and go in anyway and if they ask for it, just remind them there is no State or Federal requirement to show or confirm proof of purchase or ownership. If they push you, ask for a supervisor, or go to another Customs office.

Duckear- Bang on!! Thanks for the compliment!!

In May we returned from a 4 month World Cruise in Ft.Ladeda...with 7 pieces of luggage in tow. When I saw one agent in the terminal I thought we would be all day getting through Customs/Immigration....with about 300 pax clearing. Nope, we handed him our passports, he said "welcome Home"....on we went!! Go Figure!!...but yes I did have a receipt for every store purchase, but not native items....all of $800 declared....

To get my 4457's prepared, I generally only go to a SEA Port office, NOT an airport. They are generally much more friendly and accommodating and some even genuinely interested in your guns!! I would NOT go to a Federal office building with a Customs office!! If forced to go to an airport, go to a regional International airport where General Aviation and Charters come through. They will be much more efficient and friendly.
Cheers

I am still curious, other than for rifles, has anyone ever had someone in Customs ask to see a 4457 for a camera, computer, binos, scopes, etc.? More often than not I have had to produce one for the rifles I took, but not always, but have never had anyone ask to see one for any other items.

I've used the following Ports of Entry, each multiple times, with firearms:

New York - JFK
Wash. D.C.
Atlanta
Miami
San Francisco

I cannot remember once when I did not have to open my gun case for serial number verification with my Form 4457. I only list firearms and have never been asked to display nor prove ownership of any other items. I really think it a bit ridiculous as I can't imagine why anyone would try to smuggle a firearm into the U.S. and admit to possession of it?

My experience is similar to Lionhunter's.

I put everything on my 4457. I have only been asked to see it once or twice in many dozens of international trips....never had serial numbers checked.....

Cheers

Gentlemen I would like to make one suggestion, on the use of the 4457 form! Even though the customs form 4457 can have anything on it that has a serial number, it is better to have one with nothing but firearms on it. The reason being that many countries have erroneously come to consider the 4457 as license issued by the USA to the barer to own the firearms listed. We simply let them think that way because it makes life easier for us. I however try to avoid confusing the issue by having everything but the kitchen sink listed on the one shown to the African officials.

I have a 4457 for each group of firearms I will take out of the USA, like a pair of double rifles or a double rifle and a single shot, or a double rifle and a bolt rifle. This is accepted as a license for the rifles in my possesion at any given time.

All other thing that I need a 4457 for are listed on a separate form
, like cameras scopes and binoculars, or spotting scopes. All are needed if the items were made anyplace other than the USA.

.................................................................

Came through DC a month ago and they never asked for the 4457, never asked to see the firearm, serial number, nothing. They stamped my passport, said welcome back and I picked up my bags and walked out the door! They are not consistent on anything.

Having come back with firearms thru :
Miami
Tucson
West Palm Beach
Laredo
and never once been checked, although had 4457 for everything possible, binos, rifles, scopes, I was quite surprised the last three times in Houston, to have rifle cases segregated, escorted into search areas, and 4457 matched to rifles AND !!!!! entered into a database. Not really comfortable with that, but not ready to resist it either.

FWIW, I get a seperate 4457 for each firearm, and take at least 3 copies with me. Next week, I am bringing more than 3 as I will got to a couple countries. As Mac noted above, many of them look at 4457 as license to possess, and have asked to retain a copy while I am there. Three copies becomes none quickly!

Also put a copy in the gun case, along with passport copy, in case I get seperated from the guns, they can clear.

And Randy, walking out of DC airport with guns, or just walking to next flight? Understand that can be problematic?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
I am still curious, other than for rifles, has anyone ever had someone in Customs ask to see a 4457 for a camera, computer, binos, scopes, etc.? More often than not I have had to produce one for the rifles I took, but not always, but have never had anyone ask to see one for any other items.

When I came back from Namibia this May, I flew back thru Detroit. The guy there inspected my 4457 for my rifle, then asked for my 4457 for my Leupold scope!! He tried to tell me "they're made in Germany". Luckily, I had my I Phone with me, and went immediately to the Leupold website. The first line of their website says... "All Leupold scopes are designed, machined and assembled in America". I asked him if Beaverton, Oregon was now part of Germany. Lastly, I showed him the "Made in USA" stamp on the bottom of the scope itself. Bear in mind this is a 19 year old beat-up scope that has been carried all over Montana, Alabama, Michigan and Namibia. Not unlike the POTUS, he was both arrogant and incompetent.

Absolutely amazing. More sad than amazing actually.

Well go figure...that's DETROIT...what do you expect??!!
As I stated earlier I have only had to produce my 4457 once or twice in many dozen international trips for both hunting and business...they never have checked/match of any serial numbers once they saw the form.
Years ago when I had lots of Japanese camera equipment purchased, once in a while they would ask for proof of purchase, ie receipts....never did charge duty??
It seems to be willie nillie and the ego of the agent checking drives the search!!
Solution-just be prepared, don't volunteer anything, give them what they ask for with a smile, and correct them if they are wrong with a smile...ASK for a Supervisor if hassled!!
Cheers

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Ferrall:
Last year when my wife and I went to Zim, we needed new 4457s for our new rifles. When I called Customs at LAX, they insisted that I bring proof of ownership for each firearm. Anyone else ever have a problem with this?

Three weeks ago I took two shotguns to the Customs office at LAX and (as usual) there was no requirement for proof of ownership. Whoever you spoke with was wrong and all you'd have to do to clear up the matter was to request a supervisor. In all probability, the agent you spoke with would just consult a more senior officer and approve your document.

I've never heard of this problem before, but (as a retired LEO myself) I can assure you that every person on this planet (including private as well as public employees) can err in good faith and be corrected without difficulty if the proper attitude is displayed. I've dealt with officers from this Customs office four times prior to leaving the country and four times at the airport upon my return. All agents were pleasant, professional, and efficient, each handled the issuance of the 4457 form in a slightly different manner. The same situation occurred when I reentered the country with my firearms. Only once out of four trips did officers conduct an actual inspection to verify my guns' serial numbers. In any case, getting the form approved and using it upon return wasn't a big deal and in none of these contacts did the interaction take more than five or six minutes.