I’m thrilled that Flying with Fish (a mighty fine blog) wrote this blog post for me! I just say “Ditto”! No reason to get all in a panic about Form 4457 (and I have been getting way too many emails about this!)
I have only been asked once in 30 years for one of these forms and that was over 20 years ago when I was returning from Morocco with Lisl Dennis. I was her assistant for an Architectural Digest story and she had cases of camera gear. The official stared at all the cases and then pointed to my camera bag and asked for the certified list. I thought Lisl’s jaw was going to boink the floor when produced one (she didn’t have any).
I haven’t bothered with this form since then though.
On another note — last year a bored customs official in New Delhi open a Pelican case, that was crammed with extra wires, charges, flashes, etc., that I had stowed in a checked suitcase. He officiously informed me that I need permits for those wires. I was dumbfounded and resolutely insisted that I didn’t. I obviously was not giving in to his thinly veiled extortion and he finally let me go. I discovered that the suitcase had a white chalked X on it, which alerts customs to look inside. So now I keep a Wet-One in my pocket and when I see that chalked X (at least three times now in India and Myanmar) — I just discreetly wipe it away. Works like a charm!
And also, I have been hearing that carry-on is being weighed for inter-Asia flights with Emirates and other airlines so check before you fly with a new airline.
Nevada Wier Photography 
9 comments
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August 23, 2010 at 8:07 am
gary S. chapman
Good advice on the wet ones. The only place I have ever had trouble is India. I will now be on the lookout for “x’s”!
August 18, 2010 at 11:58 am
Richard Fisher
Earlier this year while entering Tanzania a custom official was hassling everyone. He insisted we put a deposit down for 0ur camera equipment (just in case we sold it). He did the same thing for someone who brought in a tent to climb Kili.
In the end, our tour operator talked to him and the official relented.
At ORD we have no problem finding an official to sign our 4455 form. However we tend to leave afternoon.
Thanks for the tip about wet-ones.
August 19, 2010 at 6:40 pm
nevada wier
I’m sorry to hear these stories. So best to have papers. Any kind of papers. Put some gold seals on them yourself if you have to!
August 18, 2010 at 6:58 am
Jeffrey Chapman
I filled out those forms once – when I was 16 and headed to Germany. Photo equipment is usually less expensive in the US than elsewhere. It would be pointless to buy it abroad and attempt to smuggle it into the US. Usually when I’m stopped by US Customs it’s because I’ve been flagged for an agricultural check. That happens to me often, particularly when I return from Italy.
August 17, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Matthew Wakem
I would add that I always get a carnet when my client is paying for it. Otherwise, I use CBP_Form_4455 and just stop in at Customs before my flight to show them my gear. I would highly recommend having a
Carnet for Canada as well. I have heard multiple stories from my assistants of gear being fully confiscated.
August 18, 2010 at 12:05 am
nevada wier
Unfortunately, whenever I have tried to stop at Customs to have them sign the form it is closed. So far I haven’t been troubled but I keep carrying the form with me, with a list of equipment printed out just in case. I figure if I ever get stopped (which I haven’t) I can always show them that I tried! nv
August 18, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Matthew Wakem
I can only speak for JFK but if there are incoming international flights you can find a customs official. You just might have to dig a little! It may even be in another terminal. I go to the doors where passengers are exiting customs and knock hard on the door. Someone will open it and you can ask for the agent in charge.
August 17, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Roy Ivankoe
I had the same experience in Mumbai a few years ago. A customs agent was insisting that I present some type of form from one of my “local government officials”. After 20 minutes or so and speaking with a few layers of the customs hierarchy, I was let through.
August 17, 2010 at 7:52 pm
nevada wier
Get those Wet-Ones ready!