Last time I traveled with my Courtney's I got the fish eye and a lecture from US Customs upon return, and was basically told I was lucky not to have them confiscated. I want to take them next week to Bots, but I don't want to risk another moronic response from some guy at Customs when I get back. Anyone had any issues lately?

I'm guessing they were ele boots?

Mine have been checked for explosives. When x-rayed, they show a gel-filled cavity in the sole and TSA wonders if the gel is an explosive. They run an explosive-sniffing wand over mine.

Yes. Elephant & buffalo.

It's your own fault for tempting fate.

I have the hippos, and the Brit customs folks in Heathrow about shit themselves over them, when I came back from Namibia in 2005.

If you have been warned, I don't know why you would tempt fate again.

Go get a 4457 from customs.

I have Lucchese boots of elephant hide purchased in Cavender's in San Antonio. If you have proof you purchased them in the US (a receipt or 4457) I would carry it with me and not worry about it.

I bought my Courtney boots from, I believe, Westley Richards outlet, here in the States. They're gonna have a hard time getting my boots from me without paying me for them first.

I have a 4457 for them, but I think I'll pass this time, and not tempt fate as MOA suggests.

I'll be taking a pair of Courtney boots with me to Tanzania, but they too were purchased from Wesley Richards and are buffalo hide. Should I have any concerns?

Only if you run into a customs agent who doesn't know the difference between elephant and buffalo hide. Get the 4457 just to be safe.

I've been wearing a certain pair of Courtneys to hunt in Africa and other places in the world for the last 9 years (bought from Westley Richards) and if these loons really want them they had better have some proof that they are anything but buffalo and impala hide. Ridiculous!

if you check the display cases at ATL showing USFWS confiscated items you will see a brand new pair of elephant hide Courtney's. having said that, i bought a pair in Vic Falls 10 years ago and have been wearing them back and forth to Africa ever since. last time coming back, the Customs guy had me step in a shallow pan of disinfectant, then brushed the solution over the upper leather- THEN HE COMMENTED ON HOW NICE THE LEATHER GRAIN LOOKED!!!. i was coming back through LAX and i suspect part of any potential problems arise when you perhaps re-enter through ATL or maybe JFK. anyway, i intend to wear them on my upcoming ele hunt in Namibia(as well as the ele hide belt i bought from Will). if i can't wear/use them, don't see much point in having them.

This is one of the reasons I travel SAA thru Dulles. They have never asked such questions. Most of the time they never even ask to see my weapons, just a welcome home sir.

Eish! Has anyone ever had an issues traveling with one of Will's elephant hide belts or wallets???

I am in ATL now, just had my buff courteneys washed, with Will's ele passport/ travel wallet in hand, wearing ele tail bracelet. No issues

Unless there is some overwhelming reason to ware your courteneys why risk bring attention to your self? I ware my elephant hair bracelet all the times in the states but leave it home when I go to Africa. Even though no one has ever weighed my ammo I still limit it to 11 lbs including the Cary case. While the chance is small of these things causing a problem if it dose happen you it could cause an delay in your trip

We have to plan to get by our Mickey Mouse Country? What a joke being us, has become.

It's kind of funny to read several of the people in here huffing and puffing about how they would act if Customs seizes their boots, belts, etc. I'd like to see it in person as they have a choice of surrendering them or going to jail. Internet bravado is easy, arguing with customs as your next flight leaves is not quite so obvious.

Yes the reality of the situation. customs will only get my Courteneys off my cold dead feet is a bit bravo 4 customs guys will take them off you warm alive feet and then through you in jail for resisting

Sad deal but I always wear Clark's Desert Boots, hell of a lot cheaper and a hell of a lot quieter, although they probably are not as cool as my Courtneys. Problem solved.

I guess I don't understand what the problem is if you have a 4457 form (in hand) showing the origin of the boots. I mean, thats the whole point of the form in the first place!

I think I'll just continue wearing my Courteney's. Hasn't been a problem but putting them on a 4457 is a good idea. Stupid to have to do it but we are dealing with the lowest common denominator here for sure.

Todd:
Customs told me a 4457 is for items with serial numbers--not just guns but cameras, binocs, etc... How can a pair of boots be put on a 4457?
Cal

each pair comes complete with their own unique serial number embossed just above the heel.

quote:

Originally posted by SFRanger7GP:
I have Lucchese boots of elephant hide purchased in Cavender's in San Antonio. If you have proof you purchased them in the US (a receipt or 4457) I would carry it with me and not worry about it.

My Tony Lamas have a Cites Number stamped on the inside, believe it or not.

See you when you return, TWL. Lots of luck! I was in camp with BEGNO and son in the Omay. Lots of stories.

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
Todd:
Customs told me a 4457 is for items with serial numbers--not just guns but cameras, binocs, etc... How can a pair of boots be put on a 4457?
Cal

Yep Cal, the Courteneys have serial numbers on them!

FWIW - I personally know two people who have lost their Ele Courtney boots when coming back through US Customs from Africa. I would not take a chance on losing Ele boots based on the whim of a disgruntled Customs Agent.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I purchased my Courtney elephant boots in Bulawayo. I just wore them back on the plane.Went on BA through Heathrow to San Francisco. I packed my Cape buffalo Courtneys in my bag.No issues at all.

Hate to , but I've got to ask: My Courtneys aren't elephant, they're buffalo and they have two numbers which I always assumed were the date of manufacture: "3" and "02" It's quite a ways from my home to the closest U.S. Customs office. Is it worth it to "register" these and will Customs do so, if this isn't a serial number?

Just tell them that it IS the serial number. I always use an abundance of caution when dealing with govt "officials" so the more ducks that you have in a row, the better!