If you are returning home to the US after a trip abroad, take notice! Under certain circumstances, you may be charged a duty on your photography gear if you are unable to prove that you were in possession of the gear before leaving the US. You are thinking that sounds crazy. With the price of camera equipment today it could happen to any of us, particularly if your equipment looks or is new.
US Customs and Border Protection
When you re-enter the U.S.you are allowed a duty-free exemption for the total value of merchandise purchased abroad, which in most cases is $800. The exemption covers items bought for personal or household use or intended to be given as gifts. You will most likely be asked to declare what you acquired overseas, and its value, so that Customs and Border Protection officers can determine whether or not you have exceeded your exemption. The officer may examine your bags, and request proof that items you have not declared, such as your camera equipment, were in your possession in the United States before you left on your trip.
I have always carried receipts for the purchase of my camera equipment, as well as a copy of my insurance policy which contains a list of my equipment. I had read in a brochure published by the CBP that receipts were proof of prior possession. I have recently learned that that may not be the case.
Form 4457
According to a CBP officer, I spoke with some officials may not accept a receipt as proof of purchase in the United States. The officer explained that many receipts do not contain the serial numbers of items purchased and that some officers may require serial numbers. The officer highly recommended securing a U.S. Customs And Border Protection Form 4457 signed by a CBP official verifying ownership of gear, before leaving on an overseas adventure.
Form 4457 is a Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. It is very simple to fill out. I printed an enlarged version of the form from the internet and listed all of my equipment on two forms. I then called the local customs office and asked the best place to have the forms signed and verified near my home. To my surprise, it was not the airport, but a CBP office in a downtown office building. Access was easier than the airport.
Visiting The Local Customs Office
My suggestion would be to likewise call and ask for the closest or most convenient location for you to visit, to have your forms signed. Also, ask for the best time of day to come in. If you do not live near a CBP office, you may have to stop at an airport office before you transfer planes and leave the US.
When I went to the local CBP office I took all of my camera and lenses with me in a rolling carry-on bag and backpack, not just the equipment I was taking on my next trip. I came the time recommended to me and was in and out in ten minutes. The officer compared my equipment to the equipment listed on the Form 4457, and then signed and stamped the form.
Now, whenever I travel overseas, I carry my forms with me. As with my passport and other important travel documents, I keep a copy of the forms at home. I also have copies of the forms and other important documents on a thumb drive, which I also take with me on my travels.
Editor’s note: It’s also a great idea to photograph your passport, drivers license, insurance card, and the form 4457 with your phone.
What happens if and when you purchase new equipment? Do you have to visit the Custom office over and over?
If you are taking new equipment, not listed on an existing form, out of the country and you would like to have written verification of prior possession of your gear, you would need a new form completed by a Custom’s officer before leaving on your travels.
It would make it so much easier if you could do all that when you were at the airport leaving, fill out a form, have customs sign it, so when you come they can see that you had it when you left. What happens if you have no CBP office near you and you are travelling on a tight schedule and get to the airport and there is no opportunity to do that?
It would, and you are right, sometimes travelers don’t have enough time between flights and sometimes Customs might be in a totally different terminal, and it would be inconvenient to visit the Custom’s office. For some travelers, like me, I wanted to get all my equipment verified at once and since I don’t travel with all my gear it made sense to do it ahead. I guess the best solution is to make sure you don’t have a tight schedule between flights…fly in early for the first flight. Or call Customs and discuss if there are any other solutions. Perhaps… Read more »
Link to form = FAIL
Works fine – https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Jun/CBP%20Form%204457_0.pdf
What happens if and when you purchase new equipment? Do you have to visit the Custom office over and over?
If you are taking new equipment, not listed on an existing form, out of the country and you would like to have written verification of prior possession of your gear, you would need a new form completed by a Custom’s officer before leaving on your travels.
Link to form = FAIL
Works fine – https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Jun/CBP%20Form%204457_0.pdf
It would make it so much easier if you could do all that when you were at the airport leaving, fill out a form, have customs sign it, so when you come they can see that you had it when you left. What happens if you have no CBP office near you and you are travelling on a tight schedule and get to the airport and there is no opportunity to do that?
It would, and you are right, sometimes travelers don’t have enough time between flights and sometimes Customs might be in a totally different terminal, and it would be inconvenient to visit the Custom’s office. For some travelers, like me, I wanted to get all my equipment verified at once and since I don’t travel with all my gear it made sense to do it ahead. I guess the best solution is to make sure you don’t have a tight schedule between flights…fly in early for the first flight. Or call Customs and discuss if there are any other solutions. Perhaps… Read more »