Import Duties and Taxes

[Guest Nowhereman]

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18 hours ago, albertknappmd said:

One time coming back to USA from Europe.. Totally random event a few years ago and one time leaving Tokyo airport in 2015.. They checked every lens and asked for the customs form... Very unnerving but glad it had it...

albert - I assume that you're referring to a customs form that one can fill out before leaving the US to record camera equipment that you're taking out; and that you had done that just for this kind of occurrence. Not sure why this should be unnerving, unless it was the manner of the customs officials that made it so, considering that you had this form with you — and also considering that you're were not bringing in any camera equipment newly purchased abroad.

My feeling is that it's unnecessary to fill out such a form before leaving the US — and that it's highly inconvenient to do so if one is traveling frequently. As stated earlier, there is no US import duty on still cameras and lenses, at least the last time I looked a few years ago — unless it's changed since then. 

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[albertknappmd]

1 hour ago, Nowhereman said:

albert - I assume that you're referring to a customs form that one can fill out before leaving the US to record camera equipment that you're taking out; and that you had done that just for this kind of occurrence. Not sure why this should be unnerving, unless it was the manner of the customs officials that made it so, considering that you had this form with you — and also considering that you're were not bringing in any camera equipment newly purchased abroad.

My feeling is that it's unnecessary to fill out such a form before leaving the US — and that it's highly inconvenient to do so if one is traveling frequently. As stated earlier, there is no US import duty on still cameras and lenses, at least the last time I looked a few years ago — unless it's changed since then. 

Unnerving because of the way the customs agent handled my equipment. Simply put it was a miracle that nothing dropped... They were very sloppy..

I was told years ago by customs to fill it out and update it. Most people I know have the form on hand as well.

Albert

[jdlaing]

11 hours ago, Nowhereman said:

Sure, but that's true for domestic purchases in the US, from out-of-state. I don't think there are any procedures to collect state sales tax on purchases abroad. The state tax would have to be collected by the courier company — and there is no provision for that either. More generally, I'm not sure there is any legal requirement to pay tax on purchases abroad.

Right. Only from inside the US. 

[jwr50]

On 8/17/2019 at 5:58 AM, Nowhereman said:

albert - I assume that you're referring to a customs form that one can fill out before leaving the US to record camera equipment that you're taking out; and that you had done that just for this kind of occurrence. Not sure why this should be unnerving, unless it was the manner of the customs officials that made it so, considering that you had this form with you — and also considering that you're were not bringing in any camera equipment newly purchased abroad.

My feeling is that it's unnecessary to fill out such a form before leaving the US — and that it's highly inconvenient to do so if one is traveling frequently. As stated earlier, there is no US import duty on still cameras and lenses, at least the last time I looked a few years ago — unless it's changed since then. 

It's not really inconvenient.  Record your camera equipment (including serial numbers) on a CBP Form 4457 and take the form -- and your kit -- to your local airport to have a Customs officer sign the form.  Just leave the form in  your camera bag and you've got the verification you need whenever returning to the U.S. from an overseas trip.  You don't need to get a new form every time you travel -- just keep it updated.