I recieved a few blank customs forms (4457) today. I will be traveling JFK to W-hoek in June for a 16 day safari.
Do I fill out the form and present it to US Customs officials on the day of my departure, or do I have to fill out the form and bring it along with my rifle to Customs several months ahead of time to get approval? I'm a bit confused, and customs isn't nuch help either. Thanks

You must show your rifles to customs so they can confirm that the serial numbers on the forms and the rifles match. That requirement means that you must bring your rifles and the forms to the customs office.



It's best to do that well before departure. You're going to be busy enough clearing TSA, etc., etc., on the day you leave.



I'm surprised that customs even gave you the forms in advance. They typically don't do that.



Now, having said that, I have had them accept some forms filled out in their presence without even glancing at the rifles, which I had uncased in the office for their inspection.



But you can't count on that.

Wolfgar,


You will fill out the form with anything of personal property rifle serial #"s and camera and binos if expensive to prove you took them out of the USA...The form is your proof of ownership...Going into Namib and RSA...USA customs will see it when you come back..
You must take your rifles to the customs to verify your serial numbers with any other costly items taking to Africa..Do this now or in a month or two from now...I stapled my 4457 into the back of my passport...If you have any other questions email me..

Regards,

Mike

Wolfgar,

Take the filled out forms to US Customs office well in advance of your trip - weeks at least. You will need to have all your firearms with you so they can verify Serial numbers. You can also add other items to this form ie binoculars, cameras, spotting scopes - ideally with serial numbers but not required. This merely verifies that you owned them before you left the country so no duty will be due upon return.

I suggest you find a customs office other than one of the major airports. A small airport or harbor office would work as they will not be as busy, hopefully, and more willing to do this for you[they search by computer to see if the firearms have been reported stolen].

Call the office before you go to check proceedure. Last year they had me call them from the parking lot so they could meet me outside the terminal and escort me inside with the rifles [in cases].

They were very helpful and willing to do this as long as they are not working an arrival.

Les

The 4457 also acts as the "registration permit" in certain countries, make darned sure that you take the form in and get it offically stamped. Darned good advice to handle it well in advance of departure, I have had nothing but good experiences with the customs people concerning the 4457, but they are government empoyees and only work at their own pace.

The 4457 does not expire & unless you lose it you never have to give it up or get another one for that piece of equipment.
Personally I have the entire stack of them stored permanently under the top layer of foam in my breakdown gun case, that way I always have them & don't have to run around the day before I leave hollering at my wife to try & find the correct 4457
mike

Likewise I can't believe that they sent you blank ones to fill out!! unusual from my experiences.
mike

I sure owuld not waste my or an agents time with anythin g other than a firearm. I am in and out of the country constantly, and firearms are the only thing ever checked, if that. ANd the form is only for returning to the US if the agent wants to see it.

Technically, I think it was illegal for the form to be given out blank. It must be signed by the agent and then all areas in the form with handwriting must be scribbled through to keep you from adding other items. I would go back to the Customs office and have them fill in form you. I always walk in first and tell them I want to register a firearm, THEN go back outside and retrieve it from my vehivcle. If I were a Customs agent, i know I would want everyone to do likewise.

I second your response as this has always been the case when I prepared for travel. My procedure was essentially the same as yours.

Bull1

Man! am I stuuupid or very lucky... I have traveled to and from Namibia with firearms numerous times and have never filled out that form! I do think it is a good idea though!

Aaron

Just call any customs office and they will mail you a form plus a brochure on its use.

I believe you can fill it out, have them stamp it and use it over and over again whenever youtravel as long as the same items listed are brought in with you.

IMHO>

It is unusual that you were 'given' the custom's forms. They can't even be downloaded from their website.

The cops in the gunroom at Windhoek airport will have you fill out required forms to enter the country. They will confirm that the description and serial numbers for all weapons match what is listed on the forms. They have a look at your passport and you'll be on your way. Here's a tip. The gunroom is very small and can only accomodate 3 or 4 hunters with their guncases spread out on counters and floor. Make damn sure that all your other luggage is being looked after because that area of the airport has lots of foot traffic and suitcases can be wheeled away in the blink of a eye while you are being screened inside the gunroom.

Namibia is an amazing country. Best of luck and have fun.

US Customs for 4457 that is being talked about here, has nothing to do with entering Nambia or the cops there.

It is to be used upon your return.

The blank form (i am holding it right now), has instructions on the back. It says that you complete it, then take it to a customs office for signature (with the guns of course). Then it says use the form EACH time you re enter the country.

My mention of using the 4457 as a firearm "Registration" document had nothing to do with Namibia & I agree that is not the intended purpose of the form. But try to get a fire arm into or through either Korea or Mongolia without it & you will discover that in their country they make the rules & they require it as proof of registration.
Mike

When I was in Namibia in July, I was asked for the 4457. On entry back to the US, it was again needed.

I am on the cautious side and even though I have never had any other item questioned, 10 extra minutes for a camera or lap top to be put on the form can't hurt. I guess that the one time that I ran into a perfect *ss of a customs inspector makes me somewhat paranoid. Most just want to do their jobs.

I was not allowed to take home a 4457 to fill out.

In Dallas / Ft. Worth just north of D/FW airport on Royal Lane it goes like this.
Drive up to bldg. and go inside and tell them you want to bring in guns to register. Then go get your guns. Fill out the form which pads are laying all about. Take form and guns up to counter. Customs guy looks at guns and form to see if all numbers match. He then draws a red line under last entry and signs off on it. You take your toys and get the hell out of Dodge!
Has been the same every time I go or take somebody.
I have a pad of the forms in my office so I don't have to wait until I get there to fill them out.
Always best to get that done days before you depart.
You need this form to re-enter the USA and not pay duty.
You may use this form in many African countries to show they are yours and it helps grease whatever wheel over there that needs greasing.
My friends that thought they did not need them have been delayed and bothered while wife and I just whiz on through with little or no bother.
I have ours laminated and inside passport along with yellow vaccination / health card.

Thanks for all the help fellas. I live in the New York City area, and I will be flying out of JFK. Do I need to call to make an appointment to have the guns checked, or do you just show up at the customs office? I have tried to call customs but always seem to get the automated directory!! Anyone have a good phone number? Wolf

I have always in the past made appointments, but that is because for the first time in my life I now live in the actual town that I fly from & has a customs office, always before it involved a couple hundred mile trip & I sure didn't want them to be closed when I got there!

You might try contacting either the US Fish & Game Department at the airport or the USDA at the airport & explain the automated situation. I have gotten unlisted direct phone numbers into their office in this manner before.
Good luck,
Mike

One additional suggestion - laminate a couple of copies of the signed 4457. I keep one in the guncase, an extra in my carryon, and the original also in my carryon. That way I don't sweat it if a clerk wants to take the form away and ask someone a question - they have a laminated copy that I can afford to lose.

No question about it - in South Africa and Zimbabwe the 4457 is treated as proof of ownership. And you WILL need it when you come back in this country if the guns get misrouted or any little thing goes wrong.

Plus, Customs Officials are like the rest of us - they vary widely in temperment and ability. The 4457 is cheap insurance.