We flew from Johannesburg to Washington DC (Dulles) on September 20th and cleared customs there. We were not asked to show our 4457's or any proof that we owned the guns. The gun cases weren't opened, just put back in baggage for our final destination.

This is the first time that this has happened to me, I have always had to have the forms out and the rifle serial numbers entered into the computer there at Customs.

Have the procedures changed?

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

That is too funny!!!

I landed at Dulles this past Tuesday coming from Joberg and they made me go to the secondary customs check so they could check my guns against my 4457 (which the customs officer called my "gun permit" ugh!!

That is the first time they have done that to me...

Don't you just love the standardization!

Be happy they didn't - I stood in the line for nearly an hour until it was my turn while 6 or 7 customs agents stood around looking like the fools that they are... Fortunately that was my final destination..

Dulles is my home airport and i have only gone into secondary 1 time out of probably close to 30 trips traveling with firearms. Great airport. I now have my global traveler info so i anticipate even faster and quicker returns.

I have flown to Zimbabwe from Dulles 5 times now, and I have never been asked to produce my 4457.

I have been check every time flying into Houston and Dallas.

This was the first time I was checked.. I was surprised..

It is my preferred departure point and I drive 6 hours to get here! Still the best as far as i am concerned...

Just got back with my 2 buddies and we flew through Dulles, they only x-rayed our 3 cases and none of us were asked to provide our 4457's. They just asked us to step to the side until we got the ok.

I just came back through JFK on Monday and the same thing. Nobody asked for my 4457.

I was asked for my 4477 in Atlanta a year ago, and they checked serial numbers. This year I had a bow only. When I told them that, they let me go without checking my 4477. I did have my bow listed on the 4477.

quote:

Originally posted by df06:
I was asked for my 4477 in Atlanta a year ago, and they checked serial numbers. This year I had a bow only. When I told them that, they let me go without checking my 4477. I did have my bow listed on the 4477.

You don't really need a 4457 form for your bow.

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Clark:

quote:

Originally posted by df06:
I was asked for my 4477 in Atlanta a year ago, and they checked serial numbers. This year I had a bow only. When I told them that, they let me go without checking my 4477. I did have my bow listed on the 4477.

You don't really need a 4457 form for your bow.

The 4457 is for anything of value taken abroad.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

The 4457 is for anything of value taken abroad.

+1

It is more important for rifles than most other valuables since without it you cannot prove that you are not "importing" a rifle, which would require an import permit. (The alternative is to carry with you your sales receipt from an American retailer showing the date and place of purchase and serial number of the rifle, but this is more subject to question than the 4457.)

For other valuables the 4457 simply establishes that you did not purchase the item(s) abroad, thus owe no duties on them. Obviously, an American-made item (a bow, for instance) is less subject to question as to whether you bought it abroad than, say, a Swiss watch.

I just returned from Canada and when I cleared US Customs and Border they did not ask for the 4457 even though I had definitely told them I'd been hunting while clearing the meat.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Clark:

quote:

Originally posted by df06:
I was asked for my 4477 in Atlanta a year ago, and they checked serial numbers. This year I had a bow only. When I told them that, they let me go without checking my 4477. I did have my bow listed on the 4477.

You don't really need a 4457 form for your bow.

The 4457 is for anything of value taken abroad.

True,but not required to bring a bow back into the us.

I have been through Atlanta on returning from Namibia SIX (6) times and I have had US Customs
check rifle serial numbers against 4457 forms EVERY time ! Other 4457 items (optics cameras etc.) were not checked. No problem beyond the inconvenience and time required.

quote:

Originally posted by Stopckmaker:
I have been through Atlanta on returning from Namibia SIX (6) times and I have had US Customs
check rifle serial numbers against 4457 forms EVERY time ! Other 4457 items (optics cameras etc.) were not checked. No problem beyond the inconvenience and time required.

My experience with Atlanta as well. I told them it was BS to check guns but not check cameras, computers, etc.

The guy in Dulles was nice enough - I just found it annoying having to stand there and hour while 6 agents watch 2 agents work... Government employees... Ugh...........

No consistency, is there?
I've been asked for my 4457 every time in Australia (3) and Africa (14).
For all the headaches we should be thankful we can travel at all with a fair amount of ease. It may not always be this way.
Cheers, mates.
Cal

They never asked for ours at DC or SFO.

Returned from Zim/RSA via Atlanta entry point on October 2nd. CBP checked 4457s same as every other time I've flown back into the US from hunting trips abroad.

Frank,

You hit a friendly agent and also a hunter.

Mike

I recently cleared customs in Denver and I was asked for my 4457s but truthfully it was almost an afterthought. I think the agent was more concerned that I was who I said I was rather than the rightful owner of the guns. After scrutinizing my passport he gave a cursory glance at the 4457s.

Atlanta asks to see them every time.

I flown back into Dulles several times and never been asked to show my 4457. JFK once out of three trips.

That unusual.

At Seattle i was asked to provide my 4457 form and the 4457 for my new Leica binoculars. i did have one. plus all my bags were gone through.

in Dulles i also have been asked to produce my 4457 form every time with last year safari to Zimbabwe being unusual as they went through all bags and sprayed my shoes with a fungicide. (smelly shit however they gave me a bag to put my shoes in.

The wait in dulls is over a hour for my 2 time through there and almost resulted in my missing a connection.

Having just gone through Dulles last month the agents were polite and helpful. however the time to clear customs with your rifle does take a little while. You need to plan a least 1 to 2 hours to make it through the line.

The first time i had to wait over a half hour for an agent to show up as i was sent to the right side to be check in with my rifle. and a person was there ahead of me waiting.

Returning from Zim this year, in Dulles, the Customs gent just asked for my paperwork and never bothered to look at my firearms. It was a first for me, they have always checked my guns. When I asked if he needed to see them, he said only if I wanted him to. Easy and painless.

Returned thru MSP yesterday.No one asked for fourms.

I have gone through the entire process every single time upon arrival back in the USA. I must look suspicious or something.

Mike,

Same here. Checked every time. Often just a cursory check of the SN's and we are on our way but a check nevertheless.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I have gone through the entire process every single time upon arrival back in the USA. I must look suspicious or something.

+1