I understand that for firearms one needs a 4457 form to prove ownership for customs. To save a trip to the airport, will copies of receipts for camera gear suffice?

My 400 dollar camera wasn't worth the bother. 4457 is for top end items IMHO.

no the receipts won't work. they have to see the items and verify the serial numbers

From the standpoint of customs, the purpose of the 4457 form is to prove that you did not acquire an item abroad and therefor do not owe any import duties. The form 4457 is one method of documentation; but is not the only one. Indeed, many items do not carry a serial number.

I would guess that if your dated receipts for the camera gear carry a sufficient description of the items, they would suffice. It would certainly be worth a phone call to customs to verify their suitability rather than make a special trip out to the airport.

What Ramhunter said.

The 4457 is the most certain way to prove prior ownership (that is, that the item was not purchased abroad and therefore you do not owe import duty on it.)

A dated store receipt from a U.S. retailer that sufficiently identifies the item is usually sufficient, particularly if the item is NOT made in the country from which you are returning. For example, if returning from Africa via Europe, a Canon or Nikon camera is not particularly suspect since it is made in Asia and is not typically less expensive in either Europe or Africa than in the U.S. However, if you show up with Swarovski binoculars or a Swiss watch the customs folks will want to look your receipt from a U.S. retailer over a little more closely. In other words, it may be advantageous to do the 4457 if you are hauling around significant goods whose origin is in the part of the world from which you are returning.

Makes good sense. Will check with customs but would guess my dated store receipt will do for a Japanese camera taken to Africa.
Thanks for the responses.

Unless the Japanese camera is a rather expensive one, I would doubt customs even questioning it. We didn't bother putting any of our cameras (Asian-made pocket cameras and a camcorder), binoculars (mostly Leupold), watches (Timex or similar), or anything else on the 4457 (just the guns) and had no questions raised.

Come to think of it, one companion did carry his Sworovski compact binos, but U.S. Customs paid no attention. If you returned with a NIB $1,800 Swarovski spotting scope with the price tag (in Euros) still dangling from it, then you might be given a little more scrutiny.

If you do have some non-gun items for which you feel the need of a 4457, then I'd suggest putting them on a separate form from your gun(s). You can do as many forms as you wish. The reason for this is that many African countries treat the 4457 as your "gun license". Having non-shooting items on the same 4457 as your guns may cause some of those unsophisticated foreign functionaries to question why those things are part of your "gun license". Except for some foreign customs functionary wishing to see the guns listed on a 4457, you'll likely have no use of the 4457 on which the other items are listed until you return to the states.

Oh yes, sometimes we forget the main reason for putting your guns on a 4457. It's not that you might get charged an import duty if you didn't have the 4457 to prove that you owned them before departing (like a watch or piece of jewelry), but if they came from outside the U.S. they would be "imports" and you cannot legally import a gun without various licenses and permits. Thus, if returning with a gun not listed on a 4457 you'll only get it as far as the Customs desk, at which point you and it will be permanently parted.

Cameras and optics are exempt and do not need to be on 4457.

Randy

Definitely get the 4457 for your guns. You may not need it over here, but some African countries now treat it as your "gun license" and ask that you produce it. Sales receipts do you absolutely no good whatever under that circumstance. Get it, and make three copies. I have mine notarized. It impresses the overseas locals that way.

I have had clients asked for Gun licences by local customs officials. The stamped 4457 has always been adequate and stopped any potential problems. If it isnt a major issue obtaining it, then I would say that its well worth having.

Have the 4457 for my rifle (now laminated and looking very official, thanks to AR) but will trust the receipts for my camera.

Don't you have to have the 4457 for your guns when you travel outside of the US? It proves that you had them before you left and are not trying to import the weapons without an import permit, which opens up a whole other can of worms with that other government agency, the ATF.