I have already gotten the 4457 for my rifles and scopes. I bought a camera a week or so ago and was wondering if you guys put that onto a 4457 as well or if cameras are not a hassle when coming back into the US?

A camera is no different. The form is proof that you owned it before leaving and did not purchase overseas, which would make it subject to a tax. I put my cameras, lenses etc. on mine with the rifles and scopes, as well as expensive binos.

Have heard of folks being hassled for tax due on cameras if they did not have a 4457. So when my D200 came in, it went to see Customs for a 4457.

No problem returning to the United States with it.

wristwatches too

If the camera was purchased less than a week ago, you may still have the receipt.

A receipt will serve as proof of ownership.

BTW, most camera companies warranties start on date of purchase. Your receipt is often required for warranty claims. I know this is true with Canon. Registering your camera with the manufacturer is a good idea but the receipt date starts the warranty, not the registry date.

Do you do it for only expensive cameras and watches or all ofthem?

Would you get a form for your $100 pocket digital camera or your $100 Citizen watch or your $50 backup binoculars?

What about the wifes wedding ring that has no serial number but cost more than rifle, camera, watch and binoculars put together?

I have never put cameras on the 4457, but I do not use super expensive ones. I never even been questioned about it by customs. I beleive the threshold is around $1500 of value before customs even considers trying to charge tax on anything.

But you have several items (excluding rifles since they need to be on form anyway) each being of a few hundred dollars each it would be wise to put them on the form as the value threshold is cumulative not just on each individual item.

I have several 4457 forms filled out and stamped. On one of them I listed every electronic device I took to Africa and Canada, rangefinders,cameras,sattelite phone,etc. . On others I have rifles listed.
On a recent return to IAD from Africa I was asked for the rifle 4457 but never asked about the electronic 4457.

quote:

Originally posted by jorgie:
I have several 4457 forms filled out and stamped. On one of them I listed every electronic device I took to Africa and Canada, rangefinders,cameras,sattelite phone,etc. . On others I have rifles listed.
On a recent return to IAD from Africa I was asked for the rifle 4457 but never asked about the electronic 4457.

I agree. If you have to get a 4457 put everything on it. Then no one can hassle you too much.

Better to be safe than sorry. I list all of my cameras, even though Customs has told me in the past when I have filled them out that it's not necessary. I don't trust what the government tells me and then what they may do later on.

Try to cover all your bases but remember, Customs is like any other govt organization, you never know who you will be dealing with. For example before my last trip, I went to customs to fill out my 4457 and have it stamped. The lady that I was dealing with said only one item per 4457 and only the guns, she said they don't care about scopes and cameras. So I filled out a 4457 for my rifle and one for the wife. Luckily, when we returned, they didn't even look at any of our bags including the Tuffpak, probably thought I had been golfing

quote:

Originally posted by DrScott:
Do you do it for only expensive cameras and watches or all ofthem?

Only the ones that you do not want to have taxed on entry to the U.S.

Myself, my hunting partner and our ladies just returned from Zimbabwe. The customs at Dulles didn't even ask to see our rifles. I showed him my 4457's and he seemed not to care. I always carry two cameras and a camcorder and never been hasseled.

I was on a photo safari last year with 5 others. Everyone had appx $20k of gear in their bags and we returned on several different flights. Customs did not question anyone. We have used 4457's for rifles but have never gotten one for other valuables.