Has anyone downloaded the form, and taken it completed to the customs office rather than just showing up with your stuff and filling out the form at the customs office? Thanks, Bob

Yes.

yes, but you have to have them verify the serial numbers.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by retreever:
yes, but you have to have them verify the serial numbers.

Mike

I have been told that, in the past, they would sometimes stamp the form without checking the numbers if you had it filled out.

I was in Baltimore yesterday picking up a trophy shipment and as the broker is located in the same building I always take a gun or two that I may want to take to Africa or elsewhere and have a 4457 done. He took down the serial # and went in the back and I think it went thru the check system. It was very comforting to see Obama and Neopolitano pictures hanging on the wall. Especially since I knew I had a good stock pile of weapons at home.

On all previous occasions he has come out to the car to verify the serial numbers.
Peter.

In Panama City, FL, they told me just to bring the guns in. No sweat. They verified the SN and stamped the form I had completed via the net. I just wanted to be sure that it matters not whether it is done on a downloaded form or the original form at the customs office. Thanks, Bob

I called ahead and told them when I was coming (had it done at the Manchester, N.H. airport) and showed up with the guns and completed 4457. I opened the case and he checked everything out, took the form into a back room (probably doing some sort of check) and returned in a matter of minutes. Very smooth process. We probably spent more time talking about hunting than the process actually took.
Don't forget to make extra copies and laminate them. Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to scan and save a copy on your computer also.

Yes. Downloaded the form,filled it out,took it to Atlanta customs office,and got stamped without ever looking at the guns.

Here is a funny story:

Yesterday I went to our local airport in Scranton, PA. to get a 4475 form for my 2 shotguns for an upcoming Argentina bird hunt.

I walked into the customs building and I was swarmed by secret service agents. They asked what I was doing with firearms in this area and I explained that I was there to obtain the 4475 form and comply with the firearm laws when traveling internationally.

Everyone looked puzzled and then custom agent came to the front desk and helped me fill out the forms and stamped the document. She was very nice.

The custom agent told me that everyone is on edge because Vice President Biden is coming to Scranton today and the VIP hanger is right next to the custom office.

Not thinking and being sarcastic I told them they should have given me advanced noticed and I would have brought ammo as well.

The custom agents got a chuckle out the that, but the the SS was not amused.

Almost got myself in real trouble over that comment.


dale


Moral of the story: not only is the 2nd amendment in danger...the first amendment may be gone as well.



dale

The customs official at my local international port of entry, after he checked the serial numbers, actually photocopied my downloaded and filled out forms, stamped them all in his red ink and said, "You'll probably need more in the future anyway."

More importantly, call first before you make the trip as the office will be closed when they are out in the warehouse checking freight, even if the sign on the doors says OPEN 9 to 5.

Note to All regarding the Secret Service:

The USSS agents have absolutely NO sense of humor. Don't go there, or you may find yourself spending an unexpected amount of time with them in a small room.

Last time I got 4457s I used the download form and had no problems. 2 out of the last 3 times I got my 4457s, I try to have one for any new guns I acquire, they did not check the serial numbers against my guns. And only the last time I was there did they run anything thru their computers.

That is precisely why the form was designed as a "fillable" pdf document and why it has been made available.

Just complete it beforehand and bring it in for signing and stamping along with the declared items.

Here's a link in case anyone needs it:

Form 4457

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
The customs official at my local international port of entry, after he checked the serial numbers, actually photocopied my downloaded and filled out forms, stamped them all in his red ink and said, "You'll probably need more in the future anyway."

I was there a few weeks ago, I know who you mean, a good guy and he always talks shooting/guns.

You guys have it easy. It is a 200 mi drive to the nearest customs office for me. Last year, tried to get the form stamped in DFW but was told "this office" doesn't do that and "not to worry about it". Went and returned with the unstamped form. Customs guy in Houston was a little confused but accepted my explanation.