The Accurate Reloading Forums
Visit to Customs
09 August 2006, 01:27
N E 450 No2Visit to Customs
Since my wife is going with me to Africa this Oct. We had to get some other rifles and equipment listed on Form 4457.
So I also took other rifles that we or I might be taking on trips in 2007.
We had quite a bit of stuff.
I must say the Customs Officer that checked our stuff was very nice.
It is a little strange to be piling rifles up on a table in the waiting room where several others are waiting for other customs and immigration issues.
There were several people, many from outside the US whose eyes got bigger every time I uncased another rifle.

DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
09 August 2006, 01:29
Kyler HamannIt may have been odd, but you were smart to plan ahead like that.
09 August 2006, 02:52
FjoldI've printed out the 4457 form and noticed that it prints out about 4"x5" in size.
How many items can you list on each form?
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
09 August 2006, 03:18
David CulpepperWhen I got my forms in Atlanta they did not want you to bring the rifles inside. Fill out the paperwork and hand it in then they would go out to my truck to check the rifles. Last year when getting form for a new rifle the lazy lady did not even check my rifle just signed the form.
You can put as many items on the 4457 as you can fit.
09 August 2006, 03:20
Charles_Helmquote:
Originally posted by Fjold:
I've printed out the 4457 form and noticed that it prints out about 4"x5" in size.
How many items can you list on each form?
When I did mine last year I check the "expand to full page" in the print box and got full-sized ones. They caused a bit of hilarity at Atlanta on the way back as the guy checking the guns thought they were funny. He had to show them to everyone else.
I did a separate one for each rifle/scope combination and then another for the cameras and binoculars.
09 August 2006, 03:38
<Hunter Formerly Known As Texas Hunter>For what it's worth, the signed 4457 is good for the life of the document. It makes some sense to list each firearm on a separate form. That way, you don't have to go back to customs for the next trip - just take the rifles you need along with the matching 4457.
09 August 2006, 04:00
N E 450 No2Texas hunter
That is not a bad idea. ie one gun per form.
To make it simple for the Africans I get a new form 4457 for the exact guns I am taking on the trip.
Just be sure you have copies of everything from your passport, your invitation letter to your 4457's. Makes the SAPS at JoBerg very happy.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
09 August 2006, 04:33
Temboquote:
Originally posted by David Culpepper:
When I got my forms in Atlanta they did not want you to bring the rifles inside. Fill out the paperwork and hand it in then they would go out to my truck to check the rifles. Last year when getting form for a new rifle the lazy lady did not even check my rifle just signed the form.
You can put as many items on the 4457 as you can fit.
In My 3 times getting 4457's. they never even looked at my guns.
______________________
Age and Treachery Will Always Overcome Youth and Skill
09 August 2006, 17:13
Fred GordonThe Custom officers when filling out my 4457 were great. I also filled out one for each of the electronics and scopes that I was taking. They had a ball playing with range finder. They decided they needed one for ranging the length of a box container (for false walls) when they had to inspect them and wrote down all of the information to order one. They did inspect everything and check serial numbers but were courteous, efficient, and friendly.
Fred