I have Henry taking care of permits. I am flying out of D.C. on South African. Should I print out my 4457 fill out information and get notarized before I check guns with Home Land Security at Dulles?

Seems like every airport is different.
Any information is greatly appreciated.

only the original is acceptable

So can I get a 4457 from customs when I check my guns? I am 4 hours from DC so do I have to go to that office and pick up their 4457 get notarized? This is another reason why I hate traveling with Guns to Africa.

wouldn't advise waiting that long. 1st find the closest customs, then find out when they are open. the process doesn't take a long time, but is reliant on somebody from customs in the office. if they aren't in you could easily miss a flight. notorized isn't necessary since it is the original

You can go to any customs office to get the 4457. I definitely would not wait until the day of your trip to get the 4457.

I normally travel with the original and a few notarized copies. Most places are ok with the copies but every now and then someone wants to see the original.

I also scan and email to myself a copy of all my important documents so I can retrieve them anywhere I can get email.

+1

quote:

Originally posted by Jaglav:
You can go to any customs office to get the 4457. I definitely would not wait until the day of your trip to get the 4457.

I normally travel with the original and a few notarized copies. Most places are ok with the copies but every now and then someone wants to see the original.

I also scan and email to myself a copy of all my important documents so I can retrieve them anywhere I can get email.

Get them in advance. I have my folks at the office color copy them so you can't tell an original from a copy. You can do the same thing at Kinkos. Then I send my copies to the folks who need to get my African permits, and the folks who need to get my Dutch permits, then I laminate one and put it in my carryon.

There is no need to notarize. I have mine laminated as well as copies.

I keep one set with me and another set in Nalpak. This way, on the way back, if my guns arrive a day or two after me customs can still clear the guns using the copies.

quote:

Originally posted by tanks:
There is no need to notarize. I have mine laminated as well as copies.

I keep one set with me and another set in Nalpak. This way, on the way back, if my guns arrive a day or two after me customs can still clear the guns using the copies.

How is customs opening the Tuffpak when you are the only one with a key?

I was told to simply Print from website and bring form. Every office is different. I am going to print below from and get notarized. I am hoping that this will be sufficient for them when I check my guns.


http://www.cbp.gov/sites/defau...%20Form%204457_0.pdf

quote:

Originally posted by tanks:
There is no need to notarize. I have mine laminated as well as copies.

I keep one set with me and another set in Nalpak. This way, on the way back, if my guns arrive a day or two after me customs can still clear the guns using the copies.

It is perfectly acceptable to copy and notarization is NOT necessary. Customs will even tell you copies are perfectly acceptable and advise making them.

But to the OP...get 4457's done well ahead of time at nearest USCBP agency.

During my return from Africa, the USCBP agent (Atlanta) clearing my firearms asked to view my completed 4457 forms. He viewed my "notarized" 4457 forms and then politely advised me that a completed and processed 4457 form is considered to be a "formal government document" and that "notarization" of the document is prohibited by federal law. He advised that he was just providing me with a "heads up" and proceeded to clear my firearms for re-entry into the U.S. Has anyone else experienced this issue?

The notarization is not for US customs, but for RSA permits.

I normally make a half dozen copies, get half notarized, with the embossed seal, not just the stamp, for whatever reason, they seem to like that over there.

Seems like when I get back I have but one copy left, after everyone gets one that wants it. Copies are cheap, notary works for me, he will stamp whatever I ask for as many times as I need!

Interesting question about originals - I now photocopy mine with a copy of my Illinois FOID card on the back and have them laminated. Paper copies with a notarization on 8 1/2 x 11 paper go in my gun case.

I have sometimes wondered if I'll ever get hassled for an original - for some of the guns I've had for a long time I don't even think I could find the original - I scan everything to PDF and keep electronic versions of everything now. But no one ever has.

Notarization is stupid, but Africans love a seal. Makes your "license" more official.

Coming back through Atlanta a couple weeks ago a guy ahead of me in line to collect his rifles at the little "gun room" in customs had enlarged copies of his 4457s literally pasted into the inside cover of his gun case. He just flipped open the cover, lifted up the rifle and pointed to the correct enlarged 4457 pasted on the inside lid. The customs guy didn't bat an eye.

USC&BP will tell you it is fine to copy 4457's, actually recommend you should make copies, and copies are as good as the original for USA inspection.

Interestingly enough, when I came back through Atlanta last week, one dumb-assed hunter had left his original 4457 in South Africa when asked for it by the outfitter there. He arrived in Atlanta without it and when he went to pick up his guns (he was just ahead of me in the line), he explained his dilemma and they had him fill out one right there in the office while they checked his guns. He was in there longer than normal and none of us were privy to his conversations with the two Customs officers. He left with an original from that office and a deep sigh of relief.