4457 Form

[Speedster]

Should I list my camera on it? Yes/No?

 

[sierraone]

If it is a really expensive camera as in "Professional", I would advise you to do so. Otherwise, don't worry about it. I have crossed the Atlantic 72 times and until I started carrying guns and scopes, I didn't know what a 4457 was.

 

[BRICKBURN]

It just saves you from having to prove you previously owned it.

 

[RBurg44]

No

 

[CAustin]

If it is a really expensive camera as in "Professional", I would advise you to do so. Otherwise, don't worry about it. I have crossed the Atlantic 72 times and until I started carrying guns and scopes, I didn't know what a 4457 was.

I agree!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Should I list my camera on it? Yes/No?

Likely not an issue, but it won't hurt if you do...... just be prepared for the CBP officer to snicker a little at you like the one who did at me....

 

[Newboomer]

Rifles and scopes mainly, but it wouldn't hurt. I had to change scopes on one of my rifles before I left on my last trip and didn't have time to change the 4457 or the SAPS. I took a copy of the sales slip so I had proof if I was questioned going into Africa or coming home. I wasn't but I was covered.

 

[Ryan]

The 4457 is proof of ownership to prevent problems with duties and such, nothing more. Once upon a time you might have been able to get a camera or lens dirt cheap over seas, or maybe we had some heavy taxes or duties on them, but not now. So it won't hurt but honestly I've never had or heard of an issue concerning camera and such in 20+ years.

 

[sestoppelman]

Its been said by CBP I believe that anything with a serial number can and should be listed on the form. I have listed camera's and watch's ( along with rifles and scopes ) and others have listed phones etc. It doesn't hurt to list all of your stuff, so there is no question of its ownership.

 

[JimP]

I listed all my optics along with my cameras and laptop computer on mine.

All it takes is one new CBP officer on your reentry into the US to turn your trip into a mess if it isn't listed.

I got that one CBP officer when I came back in. But the problem was he had no idea of what he was doing much less checking. He turned a 5 minute check into a 30 minutes mess.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

I do, it's better safe than sorry. Never had a customs agent snicker.

 

[sestoppelman]

I do, it's better safe than sorry. Never had a customs agent snicker.

Their sense of humor is usually AWOL.

 

[Philip Glass]

No need. If I get a CBP officer that really believes I bought that expensive camera in Namibia we’ve got bigger mental problems

 

[JimP]

Look at it this way, you are at CBP office anyway so why not just get it done and listed on a second form. Then you are ready if you do travel elsewhere.

 

[sestoppelman]

There are good reasons to do it, and no good reasons not to.

 

[wesheltonj]

Many years ago (34), I listed my camera on the form. The Customs agent told me it was not necessary as cameras were cheaper in NYC then anywhere else on earth. I have never listed another camera again.

 

[sestoppelman]

And the very next agent you encounter will tell you otherwise. It takes about 10 seconds to jot down a SN.

 

[Tobe]

I use a separate form for my camera and binos