Proof of What You Already Own Attractions & Activities - The Best Holiday Destinations for 2020
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This article is a travel topic.
Although this discussion focuses on U.S. customs processes, the basic precepts apply widely.
If you will travel to other countries...don't pay duty on what you already own and take on your trip, especially valuables.
As you return from any international trip (even one to a U.S. protectorate), you can be charged duty on valuables you have with you that exceed your duty exemption or that you've not declared. If you took them on your trip and assumed they would not be questioned, you may be unpleasantly surprised, and your wallet made a bit lighter.
For fine jewelry, new model cameras, electronics, computers, etc...
- Fill out on-line as many Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Forms 4457 as needed to precisely describe the items you're likely to take on international trips, and then print them (see link to form in lower right corner of ). You may have to fill-in your address by hand.
- Take the items, the forms and proof of ownership to a CBP office, and as the agent sees them, have him/her certify on the forms that you already own the items. (At the bottom center of the same page as for CBP Forms 4457, you'll see a link for "Ports" that will help you locate a CBP office.) The agent may give you the original(s) or a copy (to keep the original(s) on-file).
- Take whatever valuables you choose and related 4457s on your trip, and have them handy for CBP inspection as you return to the U.S.
Original (in the U.S.) store receipts can be a fair substitute for proof of prior ownership if you lack time or access to a CBP office before your trip. Even if dated well-before your trip, receipts from overseas sellers have little usefulness. Don't count on getting 4457s certified as you depart the country. Certifying items can take some time, and CBP officers are often then consumed processing thousands of arrivals and departures.
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This travel topic is an outline and should either be merged into an appropriate parent topic or else developed further. It has a template, but there is not enough information present for it to be of real use. It was last edited on 2011-9-17 and will be merged or deleted if not modified for one year. Please plunge forward and rescue it!
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The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Proof of What You Already Own
