Please Help! New traveler needs customs info!
Jul 3rd, 2006, 02:18 PM
#22
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You probably already know the form is
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...t/cbp_4457.pdf
Print it out, fill in the item descriptions (including serial #s) and have it stamped by Customs at your departure airport.
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...t/cbp_4457.pdf
Print it out, fill in the item descriptions (including serial #s) and have it stamped by Customs at your departure airport.
Jul 3rd, 2006, 02:20 PM
#23
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Thanks LoveItaly! I hope it will be the best adventure of my life - so far! I'll post when I get back -
Everyone - thanks so much for your input. (Suze, I will definately check out the buying cigarettes guide) I have really enjoyed the conversation!
I'll check back on the 5th to see if anyone else has posted valuable advice - but for now I have to get ready for a small adventure -to my in-laws!
Everyone - thanks so much for your input. (Suze, I will definately check out the buying cigarettes guide) I have really enjoyed the conversation!
I'll check back on the 5th to see if anyone else has posted valuable advice - but for now I have to get ready for a small adventure -to my in-laws!
Jul 3rd, 2006, 03:01 PM
#25
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"I will be researching medieval churches and cathedrals. "
soonerartist, having driven around Auvergne in search of five particular Romanesque churches, you've piqued my interest. If it isn't too intrusive, would you tell us a bit more about your interests in medieval churches?
Anselm
soonerartist, having driven around Auvergne in search of five particular Romanesque churches, you've piqued my interest. If it isn't too intrusive, would you tell us a bit more about your interests in medieval churches?
Anselm
Jul 3rd, 2006, 03:36 PM
#28
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Back when I was a nicotine addict, I used to load up from the duty-free cart on the flight, and customs never batted an eye.
I think Pall Malls were about $2 a carton in those days. Of course, I was making about $1000 a month as a programmer/analyst...
I think Pall Malls were about $2 a carton in those days. Of course, I was making about $1000 a month as a programmer/analyst...
Jul 3rd, 2006, 03:42 PM
#29
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Sooner,
Customs inspectors at CDG are usually very easygoing. As someone else mentioned here, if they stop you in the green lane AND search your bags, the big interest they have in any LEGAL items they find is IS IT FOR PERSONAL USE?
How many packs a day do you smoke?
Let's say you smoke 2 packs a day. For three weeks, that will be roughly four cartons. I don't think that should be a problem (although there are no guarantees). You are correct that there is a 200 cigarette limit: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/intheus/customs/18000.asp
How old is you camera equipment?
Customs and Border Patrol notes on its website, in the information for US Citizens checklist, http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/
"____ Receipts or registration paperwork (CBP Form 4457) for any new electronics, such as a camera or laptop, that I’m taking with me? (Only suggested if traveling with recently purchased goods. Not necessary for goods more than 6 months old.)"
Frankly, unless you give a U.S. Customs inspector a hard time (or he is having a specially bad day) I would doubt that he would ask you to prove a U.S. purchase for the simple reason that you will be coming from France and cameras ARE CHEAPER HERE!
Customs inspectors at CDG are usually very easygoing. As someone else mentioned here, if they stop you in the green lane AND search your bags, the big interest they have in any LEGAL items they find is IS IT FOR PERSONAL USE?
How many packs a day do you smoke?
Let's say you smoke 2 packs a day. For three weeks, that will be roughly four cartons. I don't think that should be a problem (although there are no guarantees). You are correct that there is a 200 cigarette limit: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/intheus/customs/18000.asp
How old is you camera equipment?
Customs and Border Patrol notes on its website, in the information for US Citizens checklist, http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/
"____ Receipts or registration paperwork (CBP Form 4457) for any new electronics, such as a camera or laptop, that I’m taking with me? (Only suggested if traveling with recently purchased goods. Not necessary for goods more than 6 months old.)"
Frankly, unless you give a U.S. Customs inspector a hard time (or he is having a specially bad day) I would doubt that he would ask you to prove a U.S. purchase for the simple reason that you will be coming from France and cameras ARE CHEAPER HERE!
Jul 3rd, 2006, 03:44 PM
#30
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I know I'm going against the grain here, but it's not necessary to declare major electronics with US customs before you leave, as long as the equipment was bought in US originally.
Some years back the manufacturers of any electronic gadget that has a serial number agreeded to certain numbering system. If customs officer ever questioned your laptop or camera or expensive watch, all s/he needs to do is run the serial number through their computer. Each country has a country specific serial numbers so it's easily done.
OTOH, if you bought the camera/laptop in let's say Japan and got it in to US some time ago without declaring it, then it's a good idea to register before taking it out of the country again.
The only thing that I would ever declare is any expensive jewelry, because for obvious reasons it's difficult to prove where it was purchased, but even then, if you carry the receipt, then there is no need to declare.
I go out of the country between 5-10 times a year. Carry 2 laptops and now 2 cameras. Coming back from Japan last month I was directed to secondary customs in DFW. For some reason, the first officer that collects the customs forms thought I was on a business trip and marked my card "commercial", meaning that I could be bringing some commercial stuff back. The secondary officer went over my travel log and they do keep a very detailed record of all the international trips on their computers. As he was checking another agent went through my computer bag. Looked at the 2 laptops asked me if they are US bought and that was it. Then she opened my carry on and it had the camera backpack with 2 Canons. Again she asked if they were US bought and looked at the serial number of the digital SLR camera, and again that was the end of the story.
So, if it will make you feel any better, register, but it's not necessary.
Have a great trip!
Some years back the manufacturers of any electronic gadget that has a serial number agreeded to certain numbering system. If customs officer ever questioned your laptop or camera or expensive watch, all s/he needs to do is run the serial number through their computer. Each country has a country specific serial numbers so it's easily done.
OTOH, if you bought the camera/laptop in let's say Japan and got it in to US some time ago without declaring it, then it's a good idea to register before taking it out of the country again.
The only thing that I would ever declare is any expensive jewelry, because for obvious reasons it's difficult to prove where it was purchased, but even then, if you carry the receipt, then there is no need to declare.
I go out of the country between 5-10 times a year. Carry 2 laptops and now 2 cameras. Coming back from Japan last month I was directed to secondary customs in DFW. For some reason, the first officer that collects the customs forms thought I was on a business trip and marked my card "commercial", meaning that I could be bringing some commercial stuff back. The secondary officer went over my travel log and they do keep a very detailed record of all the international trips on their computers. As he was checking another agent went through my computer bag. Looked at the 2 laptops asked me if they are US bought and that was it. Then she opened my carry on and it had the camera backpack with 2 Canons. Again she asked if they were US bought and looked at the serial number of the digital SLR camera, and again that was the end of the story.
So, if it will make you feel any better, register, but it's not necessary.
Have a great trip!
