As far as I know there is no expiration date. Sounds like someone just hasseling the hunters.. Bruce
Yep. The purpose of the 4457 form is to prove that the item had been in the U.S. prior to your travels. It is a registration form only, it doesn't establish ownership, just possession prior to leaving. Therefore, as long as the description of the item and serial number match and the form is signed and stamped you can use it as many times as you want. The date shouldn't matter.
I have several 4457 forms identifying firearms that I've traveled out of the country and returned with many times. Some of those forms date back to the early 90's and perhaps I may even have one from earlier than that. I've used them over and over again. Although the form may have changed a little over the years the firearms and serial numbers indicated on my 'signed and stamped' forms sure as hell haven't changed.
I've traveled outside the U.S. with firearms and returned in excess of 25 times and I've only been hassled once. That's not bad when I think back and can only remember being asked to produce a 4457 form upon returning to the U.S. a couple of times.
That one occasion when I was hassled was long ago. A very young and obviously inexperienced customs agent declared that my 4457 form was "expired". I pointed out that the form does not indicate an expiration date and asked him to explain how it could be expired. He then told me that my 4457 was several years "old" and that it was "probably no longer valid". He went on to say I should obtain a new one each time I traveled. I pointed out that the firearm listed on the 4457 had certainly aged since the time the form was issued, but that the manufacturer and the serial number remained the same. Since the firearm and serial number hadn't changed I asked him what the purpose of my obtaining another one would be. Seeming stumped he just went on with what I viewed as an effort to baffle me with bullshit.
After about ten minutes of listening to him dig a deeper hole about my "expired" form rather than simply admitting he'd made a mistake I told him I was tired from my long flight and that I intended to leave. He then said he'd not yet "cleared me" to proceed with my firearm. I told him to go ahead and keep my rifle. I further suggested that after explaining the situation to his superiors and finding out he was wrong he could then have my rifle delivered to me. After handing him a business card I turned to walk away. He then quickly motioned me back and with a look of frustration told me to take my rifle and leave.
I wasn't angry about the situation because I viewed it as a young man trying to exercise his newly issued authority. Besides, I kind of enjoyed watching him dig the hole. As mentioned earlier the purpose of a 4457 form is just to show that the item listed on it was in the U.S. prior to traveling. As long as it is properly signed, stamped by a customs agent and clearly legible it should be valid.