BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

JoeB Loc: Mohawk Valley, NY

Oh and don't include anything on the list you're not taking with you. I listed a 50mm I had replaced in addition to the new lens. At a certain South American country, when I was unable to produce the old lens (I had, after all, declared that I had it with me), it cost me cash in South America and a lot of explaining when I returned to the U. S. Everyone thought I had sold it.[/quote]

I was wondering about that, I was giving thought to registering all of my equipment but only bringing what I felt I needed. That way in the future I would not have to re-register on future trips with different equipment.

thank you for the information.

JoeB

:thumbup:

Prairimages

Hello, Mogul. Yes, you're correct on all counts. And since I've retired and travel mostly to and from countries that have online systems for checking a 4457, exits/entries aren't a problem. Almost all my most "interesting situations" occurred at borders where more sophisticated, shall we say, technology was not available to customs officers. Once, in a country that shall not be named, I even had an agent pore over my 4457 and insurance documents, matching serial numbers with my equipment, and then when he was satisfied, "to make sure you do not sell any of these things while you are here," he hand-copied all the serial numbers onto a blank page at the back of my passport.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Some of then can get crazy. When my first wife and I went to West Berlin (in the 60's), she took a tour of East Berlin (I was unable to go due to military restrictions). The Vopo at Checkpoint Charlie wanted to know how many 8mm film cartridges she had with her, but nobody checked her on the way out. It wasn't until that evening that we discovered that she had one of my Minox cassettes in the bottom of her purse (fortunately I had the camera); it would have been interesting (to say the least) if she had been searched and that cartridge found. The pictures were of S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations. One French cop threatened to tear up her passport in Lyon claiming it was a fake. When she and I produced military ID's, they backed off.

Prairimages

Ah, those were the days...

anotherview Loc: California

Went on three tours of Europe, crossing many national borders, and travel regularly between the State of California and the country of Mexico. Never have needed anything proving ownership of my photographic gear. AAA travel agent never mentioned anything about registering gear or carrying purchase receipts.

I do have a valid U.S. passport. a Sentri pass (making me a Trusted Traveler), and a temporary resident ID from the Mexican government.

Once at the U.S.-Mexico border, on the Mexico side, Mexican custom agents questioned the status of my gear because I had several cameras in my automobile. Calmly, I stood by as the agents searched my car. One agent then said I had to pay taxes on the gear. I jumped alert, and said, in a raised voice, "Taxes! What for?" The agents stared at me. Then one agent gave a small hand sign indicating I could go. I said, "Gracias," and departed for the interior.

Later, I realized the agents had deliberately said something about taxes just to test my response to detect for anything suspicious in it.

Another time, somewhere in Europe, a custom agent made me take a lens off one of my cameras, to look through it, seeking a smuggled item or who knows what. All the while, the agent peered intently at my face. After, she sent me on my way.

Now and then, a U.S. border agent at the U.S.-Mexico border will put my car through a pretty good search, including a drug-sniffing dog, before waving me through. This searching has involved banging the exterior of my automobile with a rubberized tool like a big screwdriver to test for drug-filled compartments.

One time, though, I returned with a jar of olives bought in Mexico, and declared it. The agent did not know if olives appeared on the prohibited list, so he sent me to secondary inspection. There, a customs agent gave my automobile a close going over, mainly searching my luggage and peering in all compartments. He never said anything about the jar of olives or the injection kit for my testosterone therapy in the glove box. When I asked about the jar of olives, he said dismissively, as if nothing, that it was okay. While searching he saw a book of mine on history. We got into a discussion about Charles Martel running the Muslims out of France. After a while, I went on my way.

In short, during all my encounters so far crossing national borders I have never needed to show ownership of my photographic gear. I do not argue against having this record while traveling, only saying in my experience it has never proved necessary.

Enjoy your trip.

Prairimages

Later, I realized the agents had deliberately said something about taxes just to test my response to detect for anything suspicious in it.

Or perhaps to see if a "regalito" might be proffered, just to expedite your inspection. "A little gift." "Baksheesh." "Some sugar for your tea." A pack of Marlboro's. A five-dollar bill, neatly folded. A couple of Cuban cigars. A pint of Johnnie Walker Red.

Once, in Central Asia, a border guard "inspected" my documents and declared that my vaccination record was not in order: at a nearby table sat a "doctor" with an old syringe lying in a dish of alcohol. Some very polite discussion ensued, and after I produced a "temporary waiver fee" of two five-dollar bills, I was allowed on my way.

The poorer the country & the more corrupt its government, the more "bitter tea" the local officials want sweetened.

anotherview Loc: California

Yes, even Mexicans share your view. They know about their government's corruption.

In this case, however, with several Mexican custom agents standing by and with everything on camera at the most modern checkpoint at the San Ysidro-Tijuana border crossing into Mexico, I tend to doubt the offer of a payoff would have succeeded.

Of course, now you have me re-thinking the scenario. After the mention of taxes, I could've asked how much, and then paid the stated amount.

Yet, the checkpoint has a large, brand-new administration building associated with the inspection area, and staffed with trained employees, most of them younger and professional in their conduct.

Please also bear in mind that tourism brings in the second highest amount of foreign revenue to Mexico after oil exports. Mexico treats the tourist with a large welcome. So trying to induce a bribe at the border would certainly work against the this Mexican policy.

Just my opinion as an experienced traveler.

Prairimages

In this case, however, with several Mexican custom agents standing by and with everything on camera at the most modern checkpoint at the San Ysidro-Tijuana border crossing into Mexico, I tend to doubt the offer of a payoff would have succeeded."

Another story--not to dispute your conclusion-- We were entering Mexico at the Mexico City airport. The man ahead of us, a well-dressed Mexican businessman, placed his suitcase on the bench and the customs agent opened it and cast a glance at the contents. The businessman pulled a 5-pack of Cuban cigars from his sport coat pocket and said, with a smile, "Un regalito para ti." The agent pocketed the cigars and closed the lid, sending the businessman on his way.

My wife and I were next. The agent opened her bag and painstakingly went over the contents, feeling in the pockets of jeans, checking the labels on blouses...he picked up one of her semi-dress shoes with a low heel and inspected every square inch of it. We said nothing. As a last gesture, he stared inside it for maybe 15 seconds. Still we said nothing. He casually tossed the shoe back on top of the thoroughly mussed up clothing, sighed audibly, and with a dismissive wave of his hand, said, "Va. Va."

sureshot10 Loc: Parker, Co.

Went through Italy, Austria, Japan, Korea, and many Asian countries with a ton of equipment. I thought that I should have a Sherpa ...... oh, that was me. Never filled out a form and was never stopped in customs and I also never let my cameras out of my sight.

anotherview Loc: California

Thank you for your story.

For my part, I defeat such attempts by remaining totally impassive, as if above it all. Relaxed, I stare straight into the face of the agent. Whatever they try does not faze me. This approach has worked so far.

raysass Loc: Brooklin, On, Canada.

Make copies of the original receipts and keep them for your return.