I recently received an e-mail from someone that said I need to obtain form 4457 before I leave for RSA. He said that I need to list not only guns but all my cameras and electronic equipment.
Does anyone know if I can get this form off the net? Do I have to list everything that I am taking?

Thanks: Ted

You are referring to the "Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad". I get mine prior to leaving at a local airport that has a Customs Office. It's a simple form and takes only a couple minutes to fill out. When I've done it, the Customs Officer runs a theft check via NCIC, stamps the form, and hands it back. Basically it's a receipt for the items you leave the USA with, to prove you are not attempting to import a gun obtained abroad back into the country. Or for that matter, expensive cameras and such. When coming back into the U.S. and producing the 4457 form to Customs, I've never had any further questions about my firearms, binoculars, cameras, etc.

Dr. C,
A form 4457 is not required, but it is a really good idea...It is a form that shows the items you have on re-entry into the US were not purchased abroad. It is simply proof of ownership for your convience..

Take your guns to the nearest U.S. Customs Inspectors office (at airport or International bridge) and they will fill out a form 4457, put it on record and give you a copy...It is good for a lifetime....

You can also take cameras watches, any items with a serial number etc. If they look new this may be a good idea, but I only get one for my guns...

Ted,

You may want to also check this to see if you forgot anything else:

Tips and Packing List

Regards,

Terry

I got mine last Thursday, Only took a few minutes. The customs agent didn't even look at my guns.

The only problem I had is that I tried to put six guns on one form. That's a no no. You can only leave the country with three. I ended up with two seperate forms -- one for me and one for my wife.

Save yourself the possiblity of a problem on your return and take the time to get the form. Peace of mind is priceless.

You should be able to put as many guns on one form as you like. Remember this really isn't about what you arenecessarily taking on that trip. It is what you own.

My form says see attached 15 items only.

Five are guns. The customs inspector signs the little form and my attached list.

Ray,

Customs doesn't keep a copy or record, nor are they suppose to. I wonder if this fact is in the famous tips and packing list (it's difficult to get a rise out Terry!).

Will

Will,

I know the government doesn't keep a copy of Form 4457.

What you don't know is that the government reads your thoughts. Might I suggest a helmet made from tin foil. It's best to run a copper wire from the helmet to a metal stake in the ground. It works for me. The government has no clue as to what I'm thinking.

Regards,

Terry

[ 05-05-2003, 06:00: Message edited by: T.Carr ]

Ted,

I got mine from the customs agent when he inspected my guns on the return trip. I was in Atlanta. I acted as if I did not know about the form. He was cool about it.
So 2 weeks ago me and a friend come through customs in Atlanta after hunting in Bostwana.
My friend does not have the form, and the agent stamps him one. Same as me 2 years ago.
I asked the agent what was the easiest way to get the form without having to get in front of an agent prior to or during a trip.
He said to get my sheriff or police chief to sign off with a notary seal that the guns are mine .
Knowing this will expand my choices of guns to hunt with since I am not limited to the 3 that I
have on the form from 2001.

Have fun
Ed

Do yourself a favor and make sure they list and initial the amount of items in the upper right hand box. It's there for a reason. I had an inspector tell me my form was invalid because there was no amount listed in the box. I replied to him that his own people filled it out and if they did not put the number in why should I second guess there work?

His reply: Get a new form made for your next trip, or we hold the items until you provide proof of ownership next time! Being as I arrive in Atlanta and live in Washington state that next time would be a huge mess with me 3000 miles away from my things!

I have since had the forms I use redone and I have the "amount" filled in by the inspector and initialed as they are suppose to do it. Two years ago on my fall trip I was in line with a guy who had the same problem. They said to him they would hold his guns until he provides proof of ownership. He pleaded and made some comment about the US Customs office not filling it out correctly and now it's a huge problem for him to sort it out. They let him through by gave him a lot of crap about the form.

I wonder if they do this just to see how you react, and then they can tell if your lying( hiding something) or just pissed off? Any how I have not seen anyone have their guns taken away but the two times I have seen this it was not comfortable. Just make sure the number is in the proper box and it's initialed by the agent. I have hunters every year ask me: "I don't have the box filled in what should I do?" I tell them don't sweat it but if your going to have a new form filled out just make them do it properly! More then one fellow filled in the amount and initialed it himself with the same color pen. I'm not suggesting this is a good idea just telling it like I hear it.

JJ,

After more than a dozen trips without a 4457, I finally broke down and got one a couple years ago.

Mostly I never had one because they are not required and I was more than willing to have it out with the Customs guys. I sure miss the arguments now, though!

Except maybe for some places like Dubai, most things are cheaper to buy in the US than overseas, so not much reason to buy anything except souvenirs.

Hey, if you are trying to smuggle meat or anything else, why squawk about getting nailed?

Will