Questions about the CBP 4457,
Do you do a seperate ones for your rifle and scope, or just one for both?
Also do you recommend 4457s for other items, such as binos, camera, etc...?
Can you laminate them?
Thanks in advance for any advice?

Also, anyone ever see used Tuffpaks out there?

quote:

Originally posted by jcarr:
Questions about the CBP 4457,
Do you do a seperate ones for your rifle and scope, or just one for both?
Also do you recommend 4457s for other items, such as binos, camera, etc...?
Can you laminate them?
Thanks in advance for any advice?

Also, anyone ever see used Tuffpaks out there?

I do one for both
Yes (high dollar items) but have not been asked for it at Customs
Yes (or so I am told, I have not done so)
Yes (I have seen them on the classifieds here from time to time.)

Customs will tell you that you can put multiple items on the form. Some TSA officals say only one firearm per form. I have never had any trouble with several items on one form including scopes. rangefinders, camera, field glasses,ect. On last trip I had all my forms with me and when the custom inspector asked for them I handed him all of them. He held them for a few seconds and handed them back and said welcome back to the states! I think for my next trip I will list only one item per form just to be safe? I know one guy had his laminated several years ago, but I don't recommend it now.

I laminate mine and have done so for years with no problems whatsoever.

You can and should make copies of all 4457s. Keep one copy at home in your gun safe. Put another copy in your luggage along with a copy of your passport picture page and carry the original in your travel wallet along with your passport and airline tickets. I've never found it necessary to laminate them and can imagine an agent having a problem with that for some imagined reason.

Although you can put multiple items on a single form, some foreign countries want only one firearm per form. This started when RSA changed their import firearms laws a few years ago.

It is a good idea to put binos/rangefinders and cameras on a 4457 as most are made outside the USA. I do but have never been questioned about these items. Seems when you have firearms, that becomes the center of attention. Likewise they usually don't concern themselves with attached scopes, since they appear as part of the rifle and since their Ser # is usually hiden by the mounting position.

As to the TuffPak, make one of the wisest decisions ever and get yourself one. Virtually all the international hunters I hunt with now use this case. There are so many benefits to a TuffPak over other gun cases that I can't even begin to mention them. I've owned others but my TuffPak is now over 13 years old and has made more than that number of
safaris and additional international trips without a single issue. Perhaps one of its' biggest advantages in this day of reduced luggage allowances is that you can pack hunting clothing, boots and gear in it as well as your firearms in their soft cases. I highly recommend getting the duffle bag that they make to fit inside the TuffPak as it simplifies the inspection and re-packing process.

Oh, do remember to remove the bolts from your rifles, no matter what travel case you use. It removes the "pressure point" that causes more damage to shipped firearms than all the gorilla luggage handlers and TSA fumblers put together.

Good Luck.

Lion, As for the bolt, where do you recommend placing it? Do you place it in checked luggage or in the tuffpack in its own container? I am worried about my rifle making it, but not my bolt, or my bolt making it but not the rifle if they are seperated. And with the tuffpack do you place your ammo in the tuffpak with the rifle, or checked baggage? So many questions, thank god I have until may to get it all figured out.

jcarr - this was discussed here sometime back and the general concensus as well as my choice is to put the bolt in a sidepocket of the soft sided guncase that holds your rifle in the Tuff Pak.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by jcarr:
Lion, As for the bolt, where do you recommend placing it? Do you place it in checked luggage or in the tuffpack in its own container? I am worried about my rifle making it, but not my bolt, or my bolt making it but not the rifle if they are seperated. And with the tuffpack do you place your ammo in the tuffpak with the rifle, or checked baggage? So many questions, thank god I have until may to get it all figured out.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
jcarr - this was discussed here sometime back and the general concensus as well as my choice is to put the bolt in a sidepocket of the soft sided guncase that holds your rifle in the Tuff Pak.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

That is what I do, and I put a copy of the 4457 in the side pocket as well.

As to ammo, different airlines have different rules but I have put it in my other checked bag in a locked container. Some airlines do not want it with the rifles, although I have heard some places want it there. Some posters here will tell you to put it with the rifles and argue with the airlines but I try to keep a low profile.

Check the rules of your airlines and also check with your travel agent.

Sorry, I should have told you about packing the bolt. I do not suggest the side pocket of a soft rifle case as this still presents a pressure point. Many folks here say they wrap it in bubble cloth. I always put mine in an old wool sock and place them on the top of the TuffPak just before the lid goes on. This prevents the pressure point effect.

Ammo, as stated, you must check with your airline, but I have always found that packing it in original or plastic boxes in your clothing bag will meet with everyones approval. The key is having each round separated from the others. Locking your clothing duffle will suffice for securing it. In that regard, DO NOT use TSA locks, but rather a heavy padlock. You keep the keys and give them to TSA for inspection and they will return them to you. Some use a separate locking ammunition case packed inside their duffle, but this is not required by TSA, IATA nor any airlines I am familiar with.

jcarr,
I just completed my 4457 forms. I put my rifle and scope on one and other equipment (cell phone, cameras, range finder, etc) on other forms. They don't really care how you do it according to the agent I talked with. One thing I would do is ask if they will make you at least one copy and stamp it. If you want to make copies of the originals, the stamp on it does not copy well. At least that was my experience. The agent I dealt with made enlarged copies for me and stamped the copies. Good luck.

I put my rifles, scopes, expensive cameras, binoculars, etc. all on the 4457s. I laminate them at Office Max after leaving the Customs office. My rifle bolts are each put separately in their own pair of old socks, then each rifle bolt is placed in a separate zip-lock bag and specifically marked for the rifle that it matches. Then they are placed on the top of the Tuff-Pak Tuff Sak before the lid of the Tuff-Pak is closed and locked.

I had everything listed on one form, the customs people here in Idaho are good people. I brought it home, and used my color printer to make three copies. One went in the rifle hardcase, one in my checked baggage, one in the neck carrier I had my $$$ and passport in, and one in my carry on luggage. I had no problems, but I do streongly suggest that you check everything thru to your final destination.

Rich
Two days to Reno/SCI

Thanks for all your advice guys, Lionhunter, you sold me on the tuffpak, I have been going back and forth and was leaning toward the storm case, but I am going to have to up my budget and get a tuffpak. Got another question I hope you all can help me with,I have never checked a firearm for a flight is there any tips you can give me on how to make this go as smoothly as possible?

Make sure you check out the airline rules in advance. Some airlines require advance notice.

When you check in tell them you are checking unloaded sporting firearms and ammununition. Then be patient and polite. You have to satify them and then TSA. Some require you to fill out the airlines form, other just a declaration that it is unloaded.

I flew business class on miles once and that was the most painless...

It should go without saying that you need to be sure they are unloaded before you get there. With the bolts out it should be no problem but it seems every year someone forgets, and I have even seen where someone wanted to demnstrate their rifle was unloaded and discharged it.

Put a lock on the rifle so it can't be fired.

I laminate the originals and carry them with my hand luggage, copies go into the guncase.4457's sole reason for living is to prove that a person did not purchase the items overseas and attempt to evade customs duty