Latest on CBP form 4457

[Rider717]

Hello all, I'm heading to South Africa at the end of July and am bringing a suppresor with me for the fist time to SA. I went to Atlanta CBP to get my form 4457 and they told me they have directions to not include the suppressor on the form They gave me some information sheets on getting NFA approval. The NFA forms specifially exclude suppressors from needing permission. I know this subject has been beaten up a lot already, but the changing requirements and directions are frustrating to navigate.

Has anyone travelled to SA with a suppressor lately? Please let me know what you did and how it was handled on both ends of the trip.

 

[analog_peninsula]

Following curiously ...

 

[samson7x]

Interesting. Also following for more info.

 

[Arty0802]

I traveled to South Africa with my suppressor in July of 2023 (through ATL, via OKC), I don't know if anything has changed since then. I filled out my Form 4457 at the Customs office in OKC and I did include my suppressor on the form and was not given guidance to do otherwise.

In your case, my concern would be coming back into the US without it documented on the 4457 and the red flags that may raise. The only justification I can think of that would save you would be a copy of your Tax Stamp (which you should always have copies of anyway).

I can't say with any certainty what the stance of US Customs is on this matter, but that was my experience. Take it for what it's worth...

 

[Rider717]

I traveled to South Africa with my suppressor in July of 2023 (through ATL, via OKC), I don't know if anything has changed since then. I filled out my Form 4457 at the Customs office in OKC and I did include my suppressor on the form and was not given guidance to do otherwise.

In your case, my concern would be coming back into the US without it documented on the 4457 and the red flags that may raise. The only justification I can think of that would save you would be a copy of your Tax Stamp (which you should always have copies of anyway).

I can't say with any certainty what the stance of US Customs is on this matter, but that was my experience. Take it for what it's worth...

The agents I dealt with in Atlanta were great. The 4457 was easy and took less thn 30 minutes to complete. They had specific directions to NOT include suppressors on the form any more. this is probably in the last 2-3 weeks. They said they don't care about anything other than the firearms themselves. I'm taking my Blaser R8 and a couple of barrlels and they only cared about the receivers. I get different dirctions on filling it out everytime I talk to them. Coming back they have only cared about the receivers. Atlanta is my only experience, but it has always been fairly easy and straight forward. They didn't care about the suppressor in 2024 when I came back from Tanzania, but checked it anyway, since it was on the 4457.

 

[Arty0802]

The agents I dealt with in Atlanta were great. The 4457 was easy and took less thn 30 minutes to complete. They had specific directions to NOT include suppressors on the form any more. this is probably in the last 2-3 weeks. They said they don't care about anything other than the firearms themselves. I'm taking my Blaser R8 and a couple of barrlels and they only cared about the receivers. I get different dirctions on filling it out everytime I talk to them. Coming back they have only cared about the receivers. Atlanta is my only experience, but it has always been fairly easy and straight forward. They didn't care about the suppressor in 2024 when I came back from Tanzania, but checked it anyway, since it was on the 4457.

Interesting. I'd be curious to hear the reason for the change.

 

[Mother Plucker]

I have been twice, and each time I did not include mine on the form. I had no problems going or coming. They tried to say that you had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and pay to be able to "Export" your silencer, but you are not exporting it, just traveling with it. I brought my tax stamps of course, but really nobody questioned them.

 

[Rider717]

I have been twice, and each time I did not include mine on the form. I had no problems going or coming. They tried to say that you had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and pay to be able to "Export" your silencer, but you are not exporting it, just traveling with it. I brought my tax stamps of course, but really nobody questioned them.

That's what I am expecting. Thanks for the reply. I'll update after the trip.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Interesting!

When I moved overseas, my Form 4457 had an attachment that ran several pages. Every household item that was packed and shipped overseas was on it. For a CBP official to say you don't need to put a suppressor on the form is interesting. Some people believe, incorrectly, that a Form 4457 is something exclusively for a firearm. It is not.

CBP Form 4457 (Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection document used to register high-value personal items. It serves as proof that you owned your items in the U.S. before traveling, which prevents you from paying duty taxes upon your return.

 

[Russ16]

Interesting!

When I moved overseas, my Form 4457 had an attachment that ran several pages. Every household item that was packed and shipped overseas was on it. For a CBP official to say you don't need to put a suppressor on the form is interesting. Some people believe, incorrectly, that a Form 4457 is something exclusively for a firearm. It is not.

CBP Form 4457 (Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection document used to register high-value personal items. It serves as proof that you owned your items in the U.S. before traveling, which prevents you from paying duty taxes upon your return.

Exactly, you can put anything you want on the form. It has nothing to do with firearms from a CBP perspective. It is highly recommended that you include high value items like jewelry, watches, and camera equipment to avoid paying duty on your return.

 

[Rimbaud]

I don’t know if this is useful, but I always make sure that I have copies of purchase receipts for my guns when I take them abroad. I’ve never been asked to produce them, or the 4457, but I just feel better w the added proof.

 

[375Fox]

Interesting!

When I moved overseas, my Form 4457 had an attachment that ran several pages. Every household item that was packed and shipped overseas was on it. For a CBP official to say you don't need to put a suppressor on the form is interesting. Some people believe, incorrectly, that a Form 4457 is something exclusively for a firearm. It is not.

CBP Form 4457 (Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection document used to register high-value personal items. It serves as proof that you owned your items in the U.S. before traveling, which prevents you from paying duty taxes upon your return.

From their perspective, it’s probably an item that isn’t technically supposed to leave the country. It might fall into a gray area and they currently turn a blind eye to it, but not allowing it to be put on a 4457 probably gives them some protection. Your tax stamp is plenty proof you owned it before leaving country.

 

[Russ16]

I don’t know if this is useful, but I always make sure that I have copies of purchase receipts for my guns when I take them abroad. I’ve never been asked to produce them, or the 4457, but I just feel better w the added proof.

That's great if you purchased them from a place that gave you a receipt. The majority of mine have not been purchased that way.

 

[Letzhunt]

traveled to South Africa in April and had my forms filled out at Fort Wayne International Airport and they put them on the form then. The only issue I had was in Atlanta where a Customs and Border Patrol Agent asked for my Federal Stamp. I asked him what crime I was suspected of committing and he looked at me funny. His fellow agent told him to stand down. I did have a copy of the stamp with me but did not show it. Not to derail this but there is a reason I asked that question.
Bottom line be prepared with all the paperwork even things you don't HAVE TO have. A copy of a letter sent to ATF telling them you will be travelling out of your state with it. You likely won't get a letter back saying OK but just easy to have with you.
Atlanta was horrible on the way back home and I almost missed my flight home from there and I had a 3 + hour layover. The large item Carrousel was broke and guns we hand delivered 2 hours after we landed. Still not Newark bad but bad nonetheless.

 

[trperk1]

I've had this same experience with rifle scopes, binos and range finders. Some US custom agents care about that when filling out the forms, some refuse to include it. I've never had a agent care about anything but my rifle when I return to the US

 

[MacJenkins]

My local CBP office stopped allowing suppressors on the 4457 several years ago. They directed me to the ATF Form 5320.20. You can email it to them and you will recieve it back in a week or two. I've done it 3-4 times now. Pretty easy and quick.

 

[thinchliff]

I went to RSA in April. Here is what I learned.
1) CBP in Spokane would NOT list the suppressor on the 4457. He said check as accessory, with copy of stamp.
2) The ATF regulations list things like machine guns, destructive devices, etc, requiring a 5320.20, and do not list suppressors as being required, but also did not affirmatively exclude them. I electronically filed for ATF 5320.20 for my suppressor to be safe. It was free and fairly quick.
3) In ATL, I asked the officer checking us. He said all they care about is your tax stamp, to prove you are not bringing home a foreign suppressor. Of course, he does not work for ATF.

On my next trip, I will do the 5320.20 again, unless wording changes so I'm positive I don't need it. If I was in a quick travel scenario, and it wasn't going to be done on time, I would not be afraid to travel with the can as an accessory in the gun case, with copy of tax stamp rubber banded around it.

 

[LimbNoMo]

Might be their way of telling you that the 4457 isn’t the right form for taking your item outside the country.

 

[jomw10]

I got mine stamped a week or two ago in Houston. It had my rifle, scope and suppressor. No issues

 

[Hyde Hunter]

my CBP agent told me he always put the suppressor on the 4457, told him about the Atlanta guy and he said he is an idiot. Mine is on my 4457 with my rifle. FYI there are only 2 people that can ask for you stamp, one is an agent with the Treasure Dept. and the other is a ATF agent. the reason for this is the Stamp is a Tax stamp and CBP does not have authority to ask for it even if you are stopped the Police or Game Wardens do not have the right to ask. I have taken my suppressor to Africa the last 3 years with no issues and will be in Sept again.