Pleasant 4457 experience

[sgt_zim]

The only thing we have going for us is this CBP office is in a Class B/C regular office building. Don't actually have to go into the airport.

 

[deewayne2003]

I’m not sure what the problem is with just getting a new one every year. There is not restriction on how many you can get for a particular gun.

I’ve gotten different ones for the same gun in the same year. Traveling with two guns they put them both on the 4457. Later in the year I was traveling with the single gun and didn’t want any confusion why I was coming home with one gun instead of two so got another one.

The problem with getting a new one every year is that the closest CBP point for me is over an hour away and it took 3 months of calling once per week just to get an appointment and then deal with the CBP official that is a PRICK!

In order for this federal employee to bless me by doing his job I had to take the bolts out of my bolt action rifles and bring my .470 in broken down into 2 pieces and leave my knife, cellphone and bolts in the truck before being allowed to carry my cased guns into the exterior CBP office of a municipal airport.

Once through the door I was surprised by….

“HALT! What’s that in your front pocket?!”
With his hand on his gun

My wallet that has my ID in it, he waved me in begrudgingly.

I explained the 4457 form had to be signed in same year of travel…..

“Don’t give me that bullshit man, these forms are good forever!”

Was his rebuttal, I was also told that if he found out I made a color copy of the 4457 form he would have my reentry banned.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My understanding is RSA requires you show your firearms license from your home country. We don’t have one in the US so we convinced them to consider the 4457 to be a firearms license.

They aren’t going to remove the requirement of seeing your license just because we don’t have one. So our choice is let them treat the 4457 as a license, or create a license here in the US, or don’t take guns to the RSA. I don’t think anyone would like the second two options.

It is probably only because of the economic impact of US hunters that they squint at our non-license and pretend it is one.

Of a country didn’t require a drivers license would we just say oh that I’m your country doesn’t require it so here are the keys to your rental car. Not likely.

I suspect US is the only "Western" nation that does not require federal licensing for firearms. In America it's assumed every baby is born with knowledge to properly operate a firearm. Here no one can possess a firearm without a license = passing the firearms exam and clean background check. Sure makes life easier, especially gun purchases. We can apply for federal temporary firearms export permit on line. Turnaround is fairly quick. Export permit is not required to take a rifle to US but other countries it's necessary.

 

[Hammergun]

The problem with getting a new one every year is that the closest CBP point for me is over an hour away and it took 3 months of calling once per week just to get an appointment and then deal with the CBP official that is a PRICK!

In order for this federal employee to bless me by doing his job I had to take the bolts out of my bolt action rifles and bring my .470 in broken down into 2 pieces and leave my knife, cellphone and bolts in the truck before being allowed to carry my cased guns into the exterior CBP office of a municipal airport.

Once through the door I was surprised by….

“HALT! What’s that in your front pocket?!”
With his hand on his gun

My wallet that has my ID in it, he waved me in begrudgingly.

I explained the 4457 form had to be signed in same year of travel…..

“Don’t give me that bullshit man, these forms are good forever!”

Was his rebuttal, I was also told that if he found out I made a color copy of the 4457 form he would have my reentry banned.

The problem we have is that we're at the mercy of guys like this to get the paperwork done. I was a public servant for over 30 years and wouldn't of dreamed of treating the public in a disrespectful manner. Some people do not have the temperament to work with the public and they get away with this type of behavior.

 

[franzfmdavis]

I also had a very good and efficient experience with the customs office at the Minneapolis airport, Humphrey terminal, getting a 4457 completed. The agent even gave me a number to call if I ever needed to schedule an after hours/weekend appointment to process the form.

 

[Sabre]

Here no one can possess a firearm without a license = passing the firearms exam and clean background check. Sure makes life easier, especially gun purchases.

That is what Canada is known for these days. Ease of gun ownership, and ease of gun purchases (especially pistols).

 

[BryceM]

Y’all are lucky. The nearest customs office to me is a 3 hour drive each way. I could maybe get it on the same day I fly out….. but what if there’s a problem?

So, every time I go, I drag my wife along so I don’t have to take a rifle case on the parking shuttle, play the whole “firearm in the terminal” game with whoever seems to care that day, and hope/pray they’re in a good mood. Usually they are, but you never really know……

On my first trip, we were really stupid/lucky. We connected in JFK. I went through the customs area backwards and talked an agent into filling out the forms…… a few minutes before the flight to Joberg. No idea what we’d have done if that didn’t work out…..

 

[DJStang]

I've used the local CBP office here near the PBI airport in West Palm. I've done it 3 times and never had a issue; all on the weekends. No appointment, just show up. I "buzz" the door ringer, explain I'm there to get a a 4457 form done, and they let me in. Great group of guys (and gals) to deal with. Spent more time talking about the hunting trips to Africa, Spain and New Zealand than doing the paperwork.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I also had a very good and efficient experience with the customs office at the Minneapolis airport, Humphrey terminal, getting a 4457 completed. The agent even gave me a number to call if I ever needed to schedule an after hours/weekend appointment to process the form.

That's good to know. I live about half way in between Sioux Falls and MSP airports. I'm a rural kind of guy and am more comfortable in Sioux Falls. I've driven a John Deere tractor more than I have a car and I'm finding the MSP airport more challenging for my driving and parking skills than when I was younger.

Thanks for the pointer about the Humphrey terminal option, I may need it someday.

 

[Denvir Tire]

I've obtained three CBP 4457 forms from three different offices, and the experience was unique each time.
First was at the Jackman ME/ Canada border crossing. The agent at the counter greeted us with the usual suspicion that most law enforcement types display at first contact. He immediately relaxed when I explained what I needed. I handed him the completed form I printed from the website and he supplied me with an official form to use instead. He then followed us to the truck, checked the rifle and wished me luck. BTW, the border station was full of people, children trying to get into the US.

Second was at the Portsmouth NH International Airport. This was just awful.
Every cliche about poor service, bad attitude, surly demeanor, DMV type wait while I finish my crossword puzzle, applied here. The agent made it quite clear that my request was completely unreasonable. We walked out to the car and he complained the entire time. I obtained my form and left without comment.
Portland International Airport is by no means a JFK type of place. He was not busy at all....

Lastly was at the CBP Port of Entry, Middletown CT. The "Port of Entry" designation is a little misleading because the office is located in a random, nondescript warehouse, nowhere near ANY port, terminal. airport, highway, etc...
I showed up at the door without an appointment and called the office number. The agent asked my business and informed me that an appointment is required. I gave him a sob story about some nonsense, I could almost hear his eyes roll, and he did the job for me.
This agent went above and beyond and I thanked him for it.

 

[JimP]

I have found using two different CSB offices that you really should call ahead and find out what they want you to do.

The office nearest me gave me the times when they were not the busiest, and told me to call that day and then once I arrived at the parking lot to call them and wait at a security gate. One time the officer took me into the secured area and showed me to the coffee pot as he went to his office and filled out the form. Another time the officer met me at the gate and took my information, checked the numbers and told me to stay there while he went back into the secured area.

Another office just told me to come to the office. I got there, rang the bell and was let into their general office where the inspections took place and I was on my way.

It comes down to the facts that we are dealing with different people that have different ideas on how things should be done and that we are at their mercy to get these forms filled out. Sometimes they understand the problems of taking a firearm to a different country with different rules, sometimes they could care less and don't want to even be bothered by doing their jobs.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Regarding telling the CBP officer that the foreign country needs it, just don't tell them that. Tell them you want to be sure you don't get forced to pay duty on an item you owned prior to leaving the USA. They've no recourse, that's it's purpose as already stated.

My own experiences have actually been much easier. The CBP office at Phoenix Sky Harbor is not at the main terminals. I've never once waited in line, only a few moments for an officer to finish what they were doing and then they came and helped me out with no issue whatsoever.

There is also a very small regional airport in the east valley which is actually closer to my home. It's been just as easy, albeit one incident. One year I went into the office first without my rifles and told the officer why I was there. He asked where are the rifles? I said I wanted to tell you fist so that I didn't cause an incident. He laughed and told me I didn't need to worry.

So the next time I just strolled right on in with my rifles cased. The lady in the office nearly came unglued when I told her what I had and she admonished me to first let them know before I bring them in next time........

 

[towserthemouser]

Regarding telling the CBP officer that the foreign country needs it, just don't tell them that. Tell them you want to be sure you don't get forced to pay duty on an item you owned prior to leaving the USA. They've no recourse, that's it's purpose as already stated.

My own experiences have actually been much easier. The CBP office at Phoenix Sky Harbor is not at the main terminals. I've never once waited in line, only a few moments for an officer to finish what they were doing and then they came and helped me out with no issue whatsoever.

There is also a very small regional airport in the east valley which is actually closer to my home. It's been just as easy, albeit one incident. One year I went into the office first without my rifles and told the officer why I was there. He asked where are the rifles? I said I wanted to tell you fist so that I didn't cause an incident. He laughed and told me I didn't need to worry.

So the next time I just strolled right on in with my rifles cased. The lady in the office nearly came unglued when I told her what I had and she admonished me to first let them know before I bring them in next time........

Yes, I did the same and went in first without guns. My local guys were extremely clear that they wanted them left outside. We completed the paperwork and then they inspected the rifles at my truck in the parking lot. I can't blame them given the world we live in.

 

[fourfive8]

I'v never had a problem getting a 4457- the agents have always been courteous and professional. The only PITA about it is my closest CBP office is a 500 mile roundtrip