IMPORTANT: Firearms Export Alert – Use of Form 4457 for Temporary Firearms Export

[Nefarious]

Yes I understand - and agree with - you all 100%..

I am trying to obtain my stamp. Just figured it would be easier to do if I just brought my items into work and had someone check/verify/stamp/sign for me. Or at least to one of our other ports of entry close by.

I think some people were thinking that this newbie was trying to come in here and say you guys dont need it.... which is not what I was trying to covey at all

 

[Sabre]

Yes I understand - and agree with - you all 100%..

I am trying to obtain my stamp. Just figured it would be easier to do if I just brought my items into work and had someone check/verify/stamp/sign for me. Or at least to one of our other ports of entry close by.

I think some people were thinking that this newbie was trying to come in here and say you guys dont need it.... which is not what I was trying to covey at all

I think it may have come off that way a little. But also, I just wanted to give my advice and two cents worth for you personally and recommend you try to get the stamp. I totally understand where you are coming from wanting to do it at work, and it would save you extra hassle now. However, as arbitrary as it is, the stamp makes it look more official. It already is a silly system because it's using a form that isn't a gun permit at all and making it into a "gun permit" in other countries. But, it saves on grief later from SAPS or whoever wants it.

 

[Denvir Tire]

I've had four 4457's to travel with rifles.
One from the Jackman ME border control station.
One from Portland International Airport NH.
Two from the "Port of Entry" Middletown CT.
These all had stamps done with red ink, apparently the red ink is a thing.

So. I'm clearing customs at Newark International Airport two weeks ago, the United Airlines rep insists that we go to some office I've never heard of. It's behind a nondescript door that you'd pass by without a glance. The two officers behind glass ignored us for the mandated period and then checked the serial number with the form. All very routine until it wasn't .....
It seems the red stamp was a generic USCBP stamp? Said stamp did not denote which USCBP office performed the inspection? This went on for quite some time, prompting me to offer to call the office who stamped the paper. They told me that's not needed. At this point myself ,and the United Airlines rep have been waiting for 15 minutes, during which the uniformed officers try to solve the mystery of the stamp. After a short telephone conference we were declared compliant and free to go.

Now, I'm "that guy", that likes to, "ask questions" when interacting with government officials/agents. Soooo, "I'm an American citizen who can legally possess this antique Mauser, if the stamp is not acceptable, you charge me the import duty and send me on my way?"
No response....

 

[Russ16]

I've had four 4457's to travel with rifles.
One from the Jackman ME border control station.
One from Portland International Airport NH.
Two from the "Port of Entry" Middletown CT.
These all had stamps done with red ink, apparently the red ink is a thing.

So. I'm clearing customs at Newark International Airport two weeks ago, the United Airlines rep insists that we go to some office I've never heard of. It's behind a nondescript door that you'd pass by without a glance. The two officers behind glass ignored us for the mandated period and then checked the serial number with the form. All very routine until it wasn't .....
It seems the red stamp was a generic USCBP stamp? Said stamp did not denote which USCBP office performed the inspection? This went on for quite some time, prompting me to offer to call the office who stamped the paper. They told me that's not needed. At this point myself ,and the United Airlines rep have been waiting for 15 minutes, during which the uniformed officers try to solve the mystery of the stamp. After a short telephone conference we were declared compliant and free to go.

Now, I'm "that guy", that likes to, "ask questions" when interacting with government officials/agents. Soooo, "I'm an American citizen who can legally possess this antique Mauser, if the stamp is not acceptable, you charge me the import duty and send me on my way?"
No response....

Ah the new variable—stamp color. All of mine are blue.

What a silly system.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Ah the new variable—stamp color. All of mine are blue.

What a silly system.

Mine have all been red and has port number on it. What’s silly is USA says good forever. SAPS says has to be stamped within six months of entry. I hate having go every year get same guns done for each trip.

 

[Russ16]

Mine have all been red and has port number on it. What’s silly is USA says good forever. SAPS says has to be stamped within six months of entry. I hate having go every year get same guns done for each trip.

I’d never heard the 6 months before just same year. But I’m also not looking into South Africa. Do you know of other countries have similar timing requirements? Particularly Zimbabwe.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I’d never heard the 6 months before just same year. But I’m also not looking into South Africa. Do you know of other countries have similar timing requirements? Particularly Zimbabwe.

No I dont,
Only that last two years when I had Rifle Permits do my pre approval it was said stamped no more than six months from date of entry, is what I was going by.

 

[Nefarious]

Stamp color Im guessing varies from port to port. My last border port stamp color was red. Where I currently am now is blue. Also from what ive been seeing some ports will have the port code on the stamp while others will have the actual location