NWstu

I'm flying to Asia today with a piece of demo equipment as checked luggage. The last time I took some demo equipment out and back in, I naively checked on the customs form that I had samples with me. I ended up going through a secondary customs inspection and questions upon my return to the first point of entry into the US. The CBP told me I needed to have filled out a form before my departure from the US. None of the TSA people on my first outbound leg today could answer my question (not a surprise) or had heard of any such form.

I have a MSP-PDX leg before continuing to NRT and ICN. I don't know how I would get access to the CBP to get this form. I did not see any form to download from the CBP web-site except for one regarding registering personal goods of value being taken out the country to avoid paying duty upon one's return to the US.

Thanks for your help.

vesicle

I would get written statements from the people who told you they didn't know or had never heard of the forms.

They love to screw you over with details but refuse to provide them...typical.

soitgoes

It's not surprising the TSA didn't have any information--they are not responsible for Customs, and, quite frankly, I am glad of that. Still, it would be nice if the newly streamlined DHS would have employees familiar with the workings of other parts of the Department, but don't hold your breath--TSA employees often don't know much about their TSA job, let alone the job of other officers.

I found the same form you mentioned. Whatever the form is, though, it is going to need to get stamped by a CBP officer, so why don't you go to the customs desk at your outbound airport and ask them for assistance?
http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/forms/

Deeg

CBP Form 4455. It will need to be signed/stamped by CBP before you leave. Good luck!

NWstu

That was my intent, but my outbound was MLI, which has no CBP that I'm aware of. Unfortunately, I had no time in MSP or PDX to get anything done because of a long walk between gates (MSP) and two short layovers.

I will have to try my luck on arrival.

NWstu

Thanks for the info. I'm in Narita now on layover, so won't be able to do it on this trip.

soitgoes

They do, but it has very limited staff (one officer), so you'd want to call ahead to make an appointment. The CBP office there is not located in the terminal building (but is on airport property).