Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/04/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]US Customs form #4457 is actually more useful outside the US than when returning to the US. On London Bombay, we had so much gear that it took up 2 typed pages. Form 4457 is quite small, so the customs people here in Seattle just stamped my printed sheets as well as the 4457, on which they wrote "see attached". Anyway, this documentation came in handy at several Middle Eastern land borders, not to mention India. Official looking forms like that from US Customs carry alot of weight, we found. So, whenever there was a question about some equipment we didn't bother to declare on entering a country, we'd just show them the stamped and signed 4457 and they would be satisfied. You'll find that many countries have rules about how many cameras and how much film you can bring in. Ignore these, as they are never enforced. I never declare any of my equipment unless specifically asked by a customs agent. If you are asked, be forthright and do as they say. If not, just keep moving and act like a dumb tourist. So, Henry, don't be shy about flashing the 4457 around overseas. When questioned about your equipment on leaving a country, it shows that you left the US with it. Be sure to make a bunch of copies, so you can leave them with the official in question. Make them color, so the red Customs stamp shows up. - --Jim Laurel - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html