4457 changes this past week

[RogerHeintzman]

Hot across the wire. Just been informed by Customs agent that 4457's are only valid if signed and dated within 6 months of your hunt. This change only affects Africa trips.

I assume more will be coming out on this issue by SCI or some other media. Be watching for it and prepare for your future hunts.

 

[sierraone]

I wonder if this is just U.S. initiated or is a result of S.A. or other African countries asking or demanding it. I have read on this forum on occasion that hunters run into problems when entering S.A. with old 4457s.

 

[greyfox]

that is BS (not saying it's NOT true, just saying it's BS!!!)
If I titles my car 20 years ago and still drive it, the title is still valid - the 4457 shows that you owned that item prior to traveling overseas, so what difference if I owned it 6 moths ago or 6 years ago, it's still proof of ownership!

BTW: I was "informed" by an ATF Agent that in order to reblue firearms, I needed a MANUFACTURERS' License!! He later called and admitted he'd been mis-informed!

 

[Areaonereal]

E mailed my SAPS about 1 month ago and been approved for my trip in June, my 4457 had an out of date expiration but seems to be no problem with Afton House getting the OK. Today I will take my rifle to my local Customs and get an updated 4457 to be on the safe side.....bet anything he is not aware of any 6 mo. Dating on a 4457 .

 

[robertq]

Please be advised that there is nothing posted on the official Customs Website about any changes to the 4457.
Please be reminded that nothing is official unless notice is given and posted on the website as protocol dictates.
The 4457 is for all personal items leaving the US, not only firearms.
We have a call into Customs headquarters to validate any rumors.
Please standby.
Best,
Robert

 

[wesheltonj]

On the USA end doubtful. On the RSA end, who knows.

 

[BWH]

So if mine is 2 years old, I have to go get a new one before I leave in 5 days???????

 

[BWH]

My permit has already been approved FYI....

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

To on the safe side @BWH, you may want to get one. It may be totally unnecessary, but.....

 

[BWH]

Man... that is going to be a total pain in the ass.... Tracking down the dude.

 

[gillettehunter]

Sounds like some BS to me. Last time I looked my 4457 did NOT have an expiration date on it. I remember someone having some difficulties in Africa because his was "old". Still seems ridiculous to me. Bruce

 

[Albert GRANT]

Please be advised that there is nothing posted on the official Customs Website about any changes to the 4457.
Please be reminded that nothing is official unless notice is given and posted on the website as protocol dictates.
The 4457 is for all personal items leaving the US, not only firearms.
We have a call into Customs headquarters to validate any rumors.
Please standby.
Best,
Robert

I'm assuming you don't literally mean ALL personal items such as cameras, clothing etc. I do question if I need one for my recurve bow now, however. I was told I needed no permits or paperwork for a bow. What is your understanding on this?

 

[BWH]

Africa Sky Guest House handled for me..... I submitted & received my approved permit months ago.... 6 months ago to be specific.

 

[BWH]

I just hung up with the local CBP Officer. The actual guy that did mine. He said that it is good for life & I do not need a new one unless something changes or additions. However, if rifle/equipment are the same... Then all good. Wish me luck that everyone has that same interpretation.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Man... that is going to be a total pain in the ass.... Tracking down the dude.

I would think DFW has a CBP office you could get into and out of fairly quickly without too much trouble, no?

 

[JimP]

I'm assuming you don't literally mean ALL personal items such as cameras, clothing etc. I do question if I need one for my recurve bow now, however. I was told I needed no permits or paperwork for a bow. What is your understanding on this?

You should have a 4457 for anything that you take out of the country that has a serial number on. The main things are camera and optics, laptops, ipads, or any other electronic devise, and firearms.

The main purpose of the 4457 is to prove that you had ownership of the item before you left the US and didn't purchase it across the border.

 

[Albert GRANT]

You should have a 4457 for anything that you take out of the country that has a serial number on. The main things are camera and optics, laptops, ipads, or any other electronic devise, and firearms.

The main purpose of the 4457 is to prove that you had ownership of the item before you left the US and didn't purchase it across the border.

This thread is the first I had heard of it for anything other than a gun. Where do you go/ contact to get this?

 

[JimP]

Just go to the same Customs Office that you took your rifle to.

There is a lot of information on the web about it. Here is some useful information on it.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/list/search/1/kw/Certificate of Registration form 4457./suggested/1

 

[BRICKBURN]

Hot across the wire. Just been informed by Customs agent that 4457's are only valid if signed and dated within 6 months of your hunt. This change only affects Africa trips.

I assume more will be coming out on this issue by SCI or some other media. Be watching for it and prepare for your future hunts.

Roger did you piss this guy off?
It makes me wonder when the "new policy" regarding the "4457 form" only affects trips to Africa. hmmm.

 

[JGRaider]

Africa Sky Guest House handled for me..... I submitted & received my approved permit months ago.... 6 months ago to be specific.

If Africa Sky handled it for you, you will have no issues. Just let the AS guy handle it for you in the SAPS office and you'll be golden. I had a cluster in the SAPS office last year, during shift change, and AS sorted it out shortly while everyone else was standing around wondering WTH was going on.