Register Your Equipment

[Angelo]

Originally Posted by Scott1970

...
You don't want a martinet of a customs agent with a stick up his ass and a Napoleon complex deciding to lord his authority over you just because he can.

When I entered the registration's office and rang the bell an officer came out and the first words out of his mouth, in an angry tone, was "PLEASE TAKE A SEAT AND YOU'LL BE ATTENDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MOVE OUT OF THE WAY, I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE LADY SITTING DOWN".

It wasn't so much what he said but his tone. My reply was "OooKaaay!?"
He attended to the lady and asked for my papers then told me to take out my equipment and set it on a table that someone would come out and help me. He is an angry young man.... LOL

[Patti Edens]

Originally Posted by Angelo

Patti, The address is 19581 Lee Road.

Lee Rd., runs North and South off of "Will Clayton Rd" and "FM1960 Business"
Again it's a free service.

If you are only taking one camera I would not be too concerned, but if in doubt get it registered.

Thanks Angelo. I'm taking two cameras and three lenses and a brand new laptop, so I will get them all registered. Appreciate the heads-up and the address!

[Angelo]

Patti, go ahead and print this form.
http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_4457.pdf
Make three copies.
Put the cameras on one form, laptop on the second form and
all three lenses on the third form.
In the box named "Port" put 5309.
Everything else is self-explanatory.
Good luck.

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by Angelo

Howard, I've also travelled a lot and never had problems. From what several friends of mine are saying and also reading about some encounters with US Customs I figured it is better safe than sorry.

According to the article customs is trying to hammer down on many people that bring things in without paying their taxes. Having the registration form with you saves time and explanations.

True. I never said I was smart.

[CaptainG]

A much simpler method to prove ownership is to carry a copy of your insurance policy itemizing each camera, lens, etc. Your gear is insured, right?

[Angelo]

Yes, but I don't remember the insurance itemizing all the items. If I remember correctly
it only states camera equipment on the policy. I'll check...

[scottbuckel]

Depending on the customs guy you get different things can happen, Scott Bourne was reporting on issues that Arthur Morris had. If you can get the form 4457 you will definitely have no issues.

Of the many times I have gone through customs I had only one customs guy want me to document my equipment as soon as I pulled out the form 4457 he immediately let me pass through with out looking at the equipment and he actually thanked me for having the paperwork readily available. If I go overseas I have the form 4457 in my laptop bag (actually I have five of them with different equipment).

If you travel with long lenses like Artie then I would definitely get the form; if you have only a small bag I would not worry about it.

The customs guys are trained for the form 4457 or proof of purchase meaning the receipt for purchase the itemized list for the insurance company will likely not work for you.

HTH,

Scott

[CaptainG]

Actually, if you have scheduled coverage for your cameras, which you should, each camera, lens, etc. is listed by brand, model and serial number. Having made literally thousands of customs entries into the US, the insurance schedule, though rarely asked for, was always adequate to prove prior ownership of my gear. Works very well for your Rolex, too.