If American customs thinks you bought it while out of the country, it's up to you to prove you took it out of the country with you.
Kenneth Waller ----- Original Message ----- From: "Godfrey DiGiorgi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2005 7:30 PM Subject: Re: OT: Off for vacation and a customs question > On Apr 19, 2005, at 11:30 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > I'll be unsubing some time Wednesday morning, as we are off to Vegas, > > for the World Cup > > Jumping and Dressage shaow at the Thomas and Mack Centre. > > > > One question. I am planning to bring a small bag,just the istD with > > the A28, A50, M135 and > > M150 and a handheld meter and a few cards. > > > > Would it be wize to have a list of equipment and S/N's to give to the > > US customs people at > > Pearson Airport in Toronto,or will they just be satisfied to look at > > the gear an make sure it is > > all camera equipment. > > > > This is the first time i have flown be it to the US or else were since > > 1996, thus the > > question. > > I'd suggest browsing the US Customs and Border Protection, > http://www.cbp.gov/ website. There is a form for US citizens to > register goods being transported across the borders which you already > own... I don't know how this works for citizens of other countries, but > there's probably information there germaine to your needs. > > FAQ at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/us_citizens/faqs.xml > One excerpt: > -- > Q: > How Can I Prove I Didn't Buy My Watch/Camera During My Trip Outside the > United States? > > A: > Foreign-made personal articles taken abroad are subject to duty each > time they are brought back into the United States unless you have > acceptable proof of prior possession. Documents which fully describe > the article, such as a bill of sale, insurance policy, jeweler's > appraisal, or receipt for purchase, may be considered reasonable proof > of prior possession. > > Items such as watches, cameras, compact disc players, or other articles > which may be readily identified by a permanently affixed serial number > or marking, may be taken to the CBP office nearest you and registered > before your departure. The Certificate of Registration (CBPF 4457) that > you will be given will expedite the free entry of these items when you > return. Keep the certificate as it is valid for as long as you own the > article(s). > --- > > That said, I've traveled in and out of the US extensively for 20 some > years carrying all manner of photo and electronic equipment, and never > been held hostage by a US Customs official for any of it. > > Godfrey >
