FORM 4457, Bureau of Homeland Security - TIPS

If you travel with a rifle from the USA for hunting internationaly, you need the FORM 4457 upon return to the USA.

Complete and register this form WELL IN ADVANCE prior to your scheduled departure date.

Complete ONE FORM per RIFLE - do not list all your rifles on one form.

Laminate the original 4457 form.

Make copies of the rest to put in your rifle case when travelling.

Save travelling, happy hunting and straight shooting...

Ansie

Good advise...

While in Dulles this year the customs agent indicated that at least 1 passenger returning to the country did not have a 4457 form for there rifle...

With countries keeping copies of your 4457 form i always travel with no less than 3 copies...

South Africa keeps one...
Tanzania Keeps one...
Zimbabwe keeps one...

So if you travel through some countries make sure you have a copy for each country...Plus one for your re-entry into the USA.

Originally Posted by Kowas Hunting Safaris

If you travel with a rifle from the USA for hunting internationaly, you need the FORM 4457 upon return to the USA.

Complete and register this form WELL IN ADVANCE prior to your scheduled departure date.

Complete ONE FORM per RIFLE - do not list all your rifles on one form.

Laminate the original 4457 form.

Make copies of the rest to put in your rifle case when travelling.

Save travelling, happy hunting and straight shooting...

Why one rifle per per form? Not questioning it, just wondering why. I just took my rifles to my local U.S. Customs office last Friday to do my 4457 and the Customs agent told me to put both rifles on the one form. Will this not be acceptable for Namibian officials when I go there in mid June?

Thanks in advance for any clarification.

The reason is this...

If you have many rifles or hand guns on one 4457 form customs will ask you to produce each item on the 4457 form. And if you are unable to produce the item then you get to go to another line for processing.

Now if you take a few 4457 forms along wait until you are asked for the form before you produce it. Rifles are a given and sometimes new cameras and binoculars questionable. I was asked for my 4457 form for my binoculars the first time i went with them, now they looked used and i have not been asked, but i have them just in case i need them

I have individual 4457 forms for my Leica and Ziess binoculars.

One for Sony Movie camera

Plus individual ones for my rifles

That way when you go you pull out the 4457 forms you need to take and you are all set.

I have all my 4457 forms scanned into my computer so i can e mail them to travel agent & meet and greet and gun services.

and make as many color copies as i need for each trip.

Originally Posted by MasterBlaster

Why one rifle per per form? Not questioning it, just wondering why. I just took my rifles to my local U.S. Customs office last Friday to do my 4457 and the Customs agent told me to put both rifles on the one form. Will this not be acceptable for Namibian officials when I go there in mid June?

Thanks in advance for any clarification.

When we traveled to RSA in '09, I had one form that included my rifle and scope, handgun and scope, revolver and scope, binoculars, and camera gear. Not once was I asked for the form, though I had the original plus a copy in my baggage.

In South Africa they will ask you for the original to make a copy ! The original is yours and nobody can demand to keep it. Be sure that it has a official stamp on it !

Originally Posted by Safari Afrika

In South Africa they will ask you for the original to make a copy ! The original is yours and nobody can demand to keep it. Be sure that it has a official stamp on it !

Interesting. I don't recall that happening but then again I used one of the services to help expedite the gun "import" process. Maybe that helped streamline things due to sending the info over ahead of time.

Originally Posted by RickP

Interesting. I don't recall that happening but then again I used one of the services to help expedite the gun "import" process. Maybe that helped streamline things due to sending the info over ahead of time.

Yes exactly as you sent in the original. If you do the import processon arrival they make copies. This form can be used in future agin as it is a proof ownership in these counties. I know it makes no sense at all as anybody can bring somebody elses gun and declare it at customs as his/her own ...... This is the requirements though ! Happy Hunting !