FYI there is a newly dated version of the 4457 dated 05/24. Looks identical. I need to get it for the 2 rifles I'm taking to Namibia in August. Do you bother getting one for scopes, binos and camera? I did see advice in the past to simply add "with optical sight" to the description on the rifle form.

Hi Kevin,

I was told to not put the scope on the 4457.

and again, I had filled out 4457 for rangefinder and bino's and was told that I did not need to do that for them.

so keep it simple one rifle per 4457.

I got two new 4457’s last month at DFW, lots of new faces at that office. The young guy that handled mine was very thorough, he even searched my gun case. He wanted the scope with serial number on my forms. He also warned me about scopes/rangefinders/thermals that might be on ITAR list. Lots of Leupold and Nightforce scopes are. Also said some entry ports will have enhanced inspection and duty collection in place, specifically mentioned DFW, Atlanta and Seattle.

These posts are talking about going through JoBurg
right?

Doesn't matter where you are going if you are leaving the country, the 4457 is really for your return to the States. But in my case yes, also needed for the transit permit for RSA and in Namibia. It serves as your "firearms permit" to most foreign agencies.

Just qualifying, because I'm going to Tanzania in about 50 days and have been told my 4457's from last year are good on this trip vs the RSA hoop jumping. Thought maybe something had changed recently.

Guys,

To make it simple and nearly SNAFU proof I advise my clients to get a new 4457 each year that they travel Internationally with guns.

As for your scope do include it on your 4457.

Binos, range finders etc. put on a separate 4457 so you can use that 4457 if traveling with a different firearm at a later date.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

He also warned me about scopes/rangefinders/thermals that might be on ITAR list. Lots of Leupold and Nightforce scopes are.

Karl,
I'm confused why he would warn you about ITAR, it deals with exportation, not going hunting and bringing it back.
John

Because CBP agents are far from on the same page about what to do with 4457 and firearms issues. One guy says bring the guns right in to the office to get the 4457. Another says let me know before you bring in the guns and then go back out, get them and bring them into the office. The next agent will send you a 4457 thru the mail.

One agent I spoke to was adamant that you needed a new 4457 every time you traveled with firearms even if you traveled with the same gun multiple times during the same year. Next guys says that the 4457 is good forever.

One agent in Atlanta quizzed me for awhile about where was my other rifle as I had two scopes in the case. Had a hard time getting his head around the SPARE scope idea.

It goes on and on. You just need to be patient and do what they say even if you know they are wrong.

Mark

[/QUOTE]Karl I'm confused why he would warn you about ITAR, it deals with exportation, not going hunting and bringing it back.
John[/QUOTE]

Yep, deals with export. In his mind taking a firearm or sighting device out of the country would be considered exporting (maybe because a CBP agent told me a year or so ago that DFW led the nations airports for firearms leaving and not returning).
I returned today thru DFW and, of course, there were new CBP officers when I presented my firearms case for clearance. One new guy checked serial number on my rifle then took a photo of my rifle serial number AND the serial number on my Leupold 2.5x8 scope. Then had us sit on the far side of the room while he summoned another officer who has cleared me before. He, too, wrote down and took photos of serial numbers, then both stared at a computer screen for 3-4 minutes before allowing my case to be locked and taken away.

Karl,

is that new, the taking of pictures?

They have always entered the serial number in the computer, from my trips.

However, again it all comes down to who you are dealing with and which airport that you clear customs. They have all been different.

quote:

Karl, is that new, the taking of pictures?
However, again it all comes down to who you are dealing with and which airport that you clear customs. They have all been different.

Yes, taking pics was a first for me, as was having us sit at the end of the customs area, easily 30 yards from the station we were using. I guess he might have been worried I might pull a round out of my butt, put the bolt in the rifle and shoot the please up…or more likely, he was unsure of his job and didn’t want us to see. Also first time I’ve had my soft case examined when I got the 4457. Worked out in the end and I think you are 100% correct on personnel and location.

I know sometimes there looking at the date stamped now. It is always best to have one stamped the year you are going. Also make sure if you have more then one 457 they are all stamped. I had a custom guy not stamp ome and it was a headache and cost me 100 to get the Sa police to forget it was not stamped.

Just completed a trip through several points -- they only looked at serial # on rifle -- did not look at scope or anything else --- but would not hurt to note scope serial # on form. What it amounts to is it depends on the individual doing the checking -- results may and probably will vary.