Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
There should be an "American goods returned" option, but you might need to prove that you owned the equipment previously and especially did not purchase it overseas (even if it previously entered the USA).
There is. It's
CBP Form 4457 - Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. You need to get it endorsed by a CBP official prior to departure. It's a straightforward process, but it does take time if you're not departing from an airport with USCBP onsite.