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Do you need to list your binoculars on your 4457 form for Customs? I've got guns and cameras but what about binoculars?
Thank you.


The only easy day is yesterday!
 
Posts: 2758 | Location: Northern Minnesota | Registered: 22 September 2005Reply With Quote
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It would probably be best to list them, better safe than sorry.


Good Hunting,

 
Posts: 3143 | Location: Duluth, GA | Registered: 30 September 2005Reply With Quote
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Last year when I sent a copy of my 4457 to the outfitter in Moz., he requested I get a new one with only my guns on the form. He said the bion's and camera listed would tip off official to what I had and possibly be esier prey for thieft.I did as requested, but in the past I've always listed any expensive item. 4457's are for re-entry into the US, but other country's have requested me presenting them.
 
Posts: 444 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 11 February 2008Reply With Quote
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Like Alaska Hunter said, keep the 4457 for your guns seperate from the one for your other stuff.


Good Hunting,

 
Posts: 3143 | Location: Duluth, GA | Registered: 30 September 2005Reply With Quote
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I made a color copy that looks original and keep it in my carry on. I laminate the original and put it in the gun case with the firearms, just in case I get separated from them. I have a combination lock on my gun case that I can call in to Customs or whomever, if my guns don't arrive back in the US on the same flight with me. They can open the case, see the 4457s and forward to me without a hassle, at least that is the theory.

I only put one item on each 4457.


BUTCH

C'est Tout Bon
(It is all good)
 
Posts: 1931 | Location: Lafayette, LA | Registered: 05 October 2007Reply With Quote
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quote:
Do you need to list your binoculars on your 4457 form for Customs?

The purpose of the 4457 is to prove that you owned the item when you left the U.S. and therefore you do not owe customs duties on it as an item purchased abroad.

If your binoculars are fairly expensive, and particularly if they were manufactured outside of the U.S., then listing them on a 4457 is your insurance that you won't be hassled and possibly taxed on them when returning.

As others have said, it is likely a good idea to list cameras, binoculars, or even expensive jewelry and watches, on a 4457 that is separate from the 4457 on which you list a gun or guns. There is no charge for unlimited 4457s, so why not?

Also, should the binos, cameras, watches, etc. be "lost" or stolen when in transit, having the 4457s can be helpful in making a report to airline or other authorities.
 
Posts: 13277 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001Reply With Quote
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I read on here once that if it has a serial number you should put it on a 4457. As pointed out, these forms are free, and you have to go to Customs anyway, so why not get coverage of your goodies? I have one for each rifle (including the scope), plus two more with various "stuff" on them (binocular, cameras, rangefinder, etc.).


_____________________
A successful man is one who earns more money than his wife can spend.
 
Posts: 3308 | Location: Southern NM USA | Registered: 01 October 2002Reply With Quote
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Basically, the only reason to list anything on a 4457 is to prove to the customs agent that you owned the items before the trip and don't owe duty on them on re-entry.

4457's are also required in several African countries to obtain local gun import permits, so in the case of guns, there are multiple reasons to obtain a 4457.

As for the rest of the things one normally takes on safari, I don't bother. I've always believed that, unless I'm carrying something unusual on a safari, it wil be obvious to any customs inspector that I owned all of my hunting gear before the trip and don't owe any customs duty on any of it.

I've spent my life travelling internationally, some of it for hunting but most of it on business. Except for guns, I've never once bothered with a 4457. Does this mean that some customs officer in a bad mood couldn't give me a problem next time out -- certainly not -- but it's not something that I either expect or worry about.


When you get bored with life, start hunting dangerous game with a handgun.
 
Posts: 495 | Location: Florida | Registered: 17 February 2008Reply With Quote
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I've had the people in the customs office on different occasions say they want a separate 4457 for each item, that they want all items on one 4457 and that nothing but firearms need to be on a 4457 bewildered seems even they don't know. In any case, the only time I have ever been asked by any official to see my 4457 was to get a gun permit when entering a foriegn country. Never been asked to see it when re-entering the US nilly


Have gun- Will travel
The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark
 
Posts: 3831 | Location: Cave Creek, AZ | Registered: 09 August 2001Reply With Quote
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Are the 4457 permits valid from year to year if you are taking the exact same guns, or do they have to be renewed each trip?
 
Posts: 173 | Registered: 05 October 2004Reply With Quote
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I use some over 10 years old. No problem.
 
Posts: 12159 | Location: Orlando, FL | Registered: 26 January 2006Reply With Quote
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What I do is put only one gun on each 4457 that way I just take which ones I need. The forms are good forever.


Good Hunting,

 
Posts: 3143 | Location: Duluth, GA | Registered: 30 September 2005Reply With Quote
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Picture of Fjold
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quote:
Originally posted by David Culpepper:
What I do is put only one gun on each 4457 that way I just take which ones I need. The forms are good forever.


+1, I list everything on seperate forms, cameras, binoculars, guns, etc. The Customs guy thought it was a pain in the ass when he issued them but I insisted.


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

 
Posts: 12826 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002Reply With Quote
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I allways get them for everything since I am not a us citizen but I have several guns and other expensive equipment that I have bought in the us and that I keep there, so when i go on hunts to foreign countries (outside the us) yet I take my gear from the US I do it as a precaution since I usually get asked....

Reminds me when I came back from canada.... Mexican passport, texas drivers license, texas plates on the truck, US 4457 for the guns.... It was interesting explaining everything but in the end they let me through with no hassle.....
 
Posts: 589 | Location: Austin TX, Mexico City | Registered: 17 August 2005Reply With Quote
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4457 simply state that a custom's officer in the US has "seen" you with the item when you were in the US.

Therefore...they are good forever. It is not as if that event can ever be invalidated.

Since the US generally doesn't issue "gun permits". Many African countries have decided to accept these as gun permits.

With respect to binos and cameras. Not really necessary. In general, Africa is not a destination that people got to for the purchase of optics or watches.

Now if I was going hunting in Austria, I would probably take the time to get them listed.


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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It's a good idea to make color copies of the 4457 form and have them with you. As we were leaving Tanzania a customs offical decided he wanted our 4457 forms or he wasn't going to let us out of the country with our guns. We gave him a copy, he thought it was the real thing. He was very disappointed when we didn't try to brib him to get them back. It really was very funny. Another reason why I probably won't go back to Tanzania.


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Posts: 654 | Location: Denver, Iowa | Registered: 10 June 2009Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Tapper2:
It's a good idea to make color copies of the 4457 form and have them with you. As we were leaving Tanzania a customs offical decided he wanted our 4457 forms or he wasn't going to let us out of the country with our guns. We gave him a copy, he thought it was the real thing. He was very disappointed when we didn't try to brib him to get them back. It really was very funny. Another reason why I probably won't go back to Tanzania.


I take a couple of notarized copies for that very reason. As allways better safe than sorry. There was a story here about a couple of guys that left there only 4457 with the SA officials and had a heck of a time getting their guns back into the US.


Good Hunting,

 
Posts: 3143 | Location: Duluth, GA | Registered: 30 September 2005Reply With Quote
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For cameras, binoculars and non-firearms you can also carry the original receipt as long as the serial number was listed or it is properly identified. I have only been asked for the firearms registration form on one of five returns. I do always carry it with me! never surrender it to anyone!!!


Jim
 
Posts: 1210 | Location: Memphis, TN | Registered: 25 January 2008Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
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Actually, Dall brings up a good point about the original receipt.

Setting aside the issue, that 4457s have become the equivalent of a gun permit as far as African countries are concerned, You actually don't need a 4457 to get you gun back in the country.

An original receipt for the firearm is also acceptable proof of ownership.


Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.




What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10181 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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quote:
With respect to binos and cameras. Not really necessary. In general, Africa is not a destination that people got to for the purchase of optics or watches.

Many hunters either go or return through Europe. When my plane arrives from Frankfurt and I disembark with a rather new-looking German-made binocular in my possession, I would be more comfortable with a 4457 in my possession listing it; most particularly if I have other 4457s listing other valuables.
 
Posts: 13277 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001Reply With Quote
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