CBP Form 4457

[Royal27]

Interesting....

Just went and got my form 4457 for two rifles that haven't been to Africa yet. The last forms have no expiration date at top, but the "new" one is 09/12. I guess they ran out....

There is no date on the actual stamp on either, so a "new" form would be worse than my old one.

Also, here in Atlanta they don't check firearms on the weekend "for security reasons." Seems you might want to tell the employee you have a gun, then when he goes outside to see the gun, shoot him. Of course he is armed and my gun is a heck of a lot harder to get to, but they seem to feel safer in pairs. Sigh....

Luckily, this guy was nice and I smiled a lot. So when he told he he couldn't do it, and I asked if I could go take a picture of the serial number and bring it to him while he watched me from behind the glass (truck was in view of his window), he helped me. Nice to see at least one guy willing to help out!

 

[JimP]

At my local Customs office there is only on person on duty at all.......and I mean at all. It is a small airport that has quite a bit of foreign traffic through it due to the nearby ski resorts, namely Vail and Aspen. The first time that I wanted to get a 4457 the officer asked if I could wait until the resorts shut down for the summer and I did. Now when I went in to get the 4457 he came out and checked out my rifle and other equipment and then escorted me inside. Once he had the 4457 filled out we sat down in the lobby of the terminal and BS for about a hour. Now last year I needed another 4457 and called and went in, once he filled out the 4457 we again sat down and BSed for more than 2 hours.

I just looked at all of my 4457's and the only dates any of them have is the form date of 6/92. Three of them from last year in May and two of them from back in 2012.

 

[RogerHeintzman]

Not to worry about the date on the 4457. The expiration is for the form itself not the items on it. It is good for life if nothing changes that you take abroad. You would need a new one when item(s) change. I just did a couple new ones for new rifles and binos.

Officer will want to look at serial numbers of new items otherwise you can just transfer existing items over to new form with out any more proof, at my customs office anyway.

Of my 8 previous out of country hunts, only twice has my rifle been checked. They are more worried about my boots then my gun!

 

[Royal27]

The advantage of a smaller airport for sure @JimP !

Funny how different this process is at every port. I have even talked to guys who were tolllllllld to bring their rifles inside. I'd be in jail for that here.

The expiration is for the form itself not the items on it. It is good for life if nothing changes that you take abroad.

Understand and I'm not worried about it, but I'm with @redleg. I can just see some yahoo in some foreign country give you a hard time because of it.

And agree on the boots too....

 

[RogerHeintzman]

Speaking of yahoo, a customer just returned from Africa Thursday and stopped by studio Friday. He did a pre-approved permit, but at SAPS office the clerk said he could not read the serial number cuz it was to small of print and that customer would have to do a new SAP form, $20.00 changed hands and all was good.

 

[MichaelTQS]

I knew Id find an area here I could help with

24 years and counting as first a Customs Inspector now CBP Officer ( that hurts to write) and Ive filled out hundreds of these forms.

So some insight

First it doesn't matter what edition of the form you have. As long as the thing is legible and the numbers match what you are bring back you are fine

Second, what I recommend to people exporting temporarily to put the firearm on 1 form. Scope on another, etc so if you switch the scope at the last minute, because we've all had things break, fog, generally go to hell you don't need a new form for everything just the scope etc.

Some ports have a stamp for the port specific and some don't. Where I work we just sign it and badge number, the port code goes in the box for the port of entry, sometimes I write the name and sometimes just the code depending on how busy and if the hunter will be coming back through the same port.

Always come in first and declare you are bring a firearm, tell the guys outside first as well. Best to stop outside the port so there are no issues about exporting a firearm illegally.

Keep it in a case, always until asked to uncase it. I like guns and like to look at the rare ones. Understand, all I am doing when I sign the form is verifying the item was there when I signed it. If the numbers are wrong its the responsibility of the owner not the officer. This "could " be an issue returning. Its more an issue in foreign countries so it benefits you to get it right

My hand writing looks like a 4 yr olds first attempts at a scribble. Too many broken bones in my hands and arms over the years, you really should have someone who has nice penmanship fill out the form.

Line out completely the form in the unused areas where you add items.

Be nice, even if we aren't busy when you get there, chances are the officer is on a double shift, has just been in a fight, a pursuit or is on the way for a prisoner transport and is stopping to help you on the way.

 

[MichaelTQS]

And I meant to add

Always always always make at least 1 copy. We don't keep copies, and thank god for that. It would be a nightmare of paper if we did.

Keep 1 copy with a copy of your passport, 1 copy in the case with the item, usually under the foam and the original with what paperwork you need for your destination

 

[CAustin]

Never knew one could expire! Interesting! Will go to the CBP office next week!

I went to the North Kansas City office and had new 4457 s made fir rifles going this time. No expiration dates on the forms!

 

[rinehart0050]

@CAustin I plan to do the same. Will probably get my forms ready this week for this summer.

 

[CAustin]

Rinehart it's time for you to change avitars! Somehow your inner cat just isn't working! HA!

But back to the 4457s I think you get them as soon as you can!