Just spoke to Annelise with the Afton Guest house and she had a client have his riffles confiscated by SAPS for not having the 4457 stamped. Just a reminder have all ducks in a row before you go.

???????????????

Did the guy think all he had to do was print the 4457 off the website and he was good to go?

american hunters must realize that other countries view this form as proof of competency, a license to poses a firearm etc. thus if the form is incomplete they view the person as an obama

Make sure that it is red stamped and signed and dated.

Do you need to have bows on this document?

quote:

Originally posted by df06:
Do you need to have bows on this document?

It is for anything of value taken abroad.

I think folks often misunderstand about the 4457. It really has nothing specific to do with guns. We put our guns on it to prove we didn't buy them overseas when returning to the US thus avoiding paying duty on these items. This applies to anything you'd like to put on the form so there will be no question if you bought it overseas.

Foreign countries often interpret the purpose of the 4457 as being a gun permit of some type but it really is not.

Mark

Mark, that's true, but try and bring a firearm back into the US from anywhere without one, Africa, Mexico, Canada, etc. Or, try to leave the US without one. The US Customs folks sure use it as a "gun permit". And, they rarely focus on anything else on that permit. My latest experience in Mexico had me taking it out three times for officials to check the serial numbers against the firearms. In my estimation, they weren't looking to charge me with a duty tax for not having the 4457 with me.

Last time I returned from Europe, the customs lady in Denver asked if I registered my rifle before I left. I said no, but I did have a form 4457. She just nodded and said yes, let me see that. It would be interesting to travel with the cheapest rifle I can find, and show only a 4457 for my pelican case when I come home and see what happens.

I have never seen them ask for the form other than for rifles, my buddy came thru with a brand new Rolex he had purchased before going overseas and they never questioned it. When I went to get the form completed at customs the agent told me to list the scope - it was on a claw mount.

I listed

Rifle
Scope
2 pair binoculars
range finder
spare scope
2 cameras

all on the same 4457

Someone may have already mentioned it, but it is worthwhile having your 4457s notarized.

It's totally meaningless, but African authorities just love stamps and seals and stuff like that in my experience. Putting a wax seal and red ribbon on it probably wouldnt' be overkill.

Someone told me once - I think it was an outfitter in Zambia - to get my 4457 notarized. I thought that was super dumb, but having a notary in my office I went aheand and had her stamp and sign it, and the folks at African airports just seem to love it.

Also - this has been said in many other places on this forum but it bears repeating: Use Gracy Travel's service in Joburg when you're coming through there. Bruce Mduli will ensure that no matter what your experience at Tambo is hassle free. It's worth every penny.

I went to the Denver Airport Customs office last week and had absolutely zero hassle from the Customs Agent there. While he wasn't overly friendly, He was very helpful and polite. I've never had a problem with them, especially the office in Albuquerque.