Declaring camera on Arrival
Jun 9, 2005 | 2:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 60
Declaring camera on Arrival
Hi,
I am traveling to the phillipines in the recent weeks out of LAX-my question is do i have to decalre my camera upon departue and arrival at coustoms?
Will i have to pay taxes on bring my camera to the phillipines and back?
I am a US citizen if that helps.
I am traveling to LAX to Manila in the phillipines.
And if anyone has flowien this route with phillipine airlines woul;d you be able to tell me if they allow the use to cameras on board?
Thanks a bunch
I am traveling to the phillipines in the recent weeks out of LAX-my question is do i have to decalre my camera upon departue and arrival at coustoms?
Will i have to pay taxes on bring my camera to the phillipines and back?
I am a US citizen if that helps.
I am traveling to LAX to Manila in the phillipines.
And if anyone has flowien this route with phillipine airlines woul;d you be able to tell me if they allow the use to cameras on board?
Thanks a bunch
Jun 9, 2005 | 2:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I haven't done this in ages, so someone correct me if the policy has changed.
If you're starting from the US where you have a camera or other items of value, I believe you have to swing by US Customs before the day of your trip. You have to fill out a form, declaring the item. Then, they stamp it. Carry that form with you on your trip, so you don't get ding on the way back.
If you're starting from the US where you have a camera or other items of value, I believe you have to swing by US Customs before the day of your trip. You have to fill out a form, declaring the item. Then, they stamp it. Carry that form with you on your trip, so you don't get ding on the way back.
Jun 9, 2005 | 2:50 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by goingsomewhere
I haven't done this in ages, so someone correct me if the policy has changed.
If you're starting from the US where you have a camera or other items of value, I believe you have to swing by US Customs before the day of your trip. You have to fill out a form, declaring the item. Then, they stamp it. Carry that form with you on your trip, so you don't get ding on the way back.
If you're starting from the US where you have a camera or other items of value, I believe you have to swing by US Customs before the day of your trip. You have to fill out a form, declaring the item. Then, they stamp it. Carry that form with you on your trip, so you don't get ding on the way back.
Could i fill this form out about a week before i go?
And this may be a stupid question but coustoms is only located at airports right?
Jun 9, 2005 | 2:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 2,009
I have never had a problem taking camera gear out of and returning it to the states (never to Philippines) I would recommend keeping a list of all of the items you are taking with serial numbers, leave a copy with someone in the states. That gives you some level of backup in case they ask you and is also handy if you get ripped off while traveling.
Jun 9, 2005 | 3:18 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by mcrt
I have never had a problem taking camera gear out of and returning it to the states (never to Philippines) I would recommend keeping a list of all of the items you are taking with serial numbers, leave a copy with someone in the states. That gives you some level of backup in case they ask you and is also handy if you get ripped off while traveling.
So bqasicly all thing that i bring that are of value i have to regester it?
Jun 9, 2005 | 3:26 pm
#7
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Originally Posted by 777heavy
Could i fill this form out about a week before i go?
And this may be a stupid question but coustoms is only located at airports right?
And this may be a stupid question but coustoms is only located at airports right?
Jun 9, 2005 | 3:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by 777heavy
Where would i get the serial numbers-coustoms?
So bqasicly all thing that i bring that are of value i have to regester it?
So bqasicly all thing that i bring that are of value i have to regester it?
If you're planning to bring a lot of stuff back, I'd register items of value before going unless you want to run the risk of being charge when you get back.
Jun 9, 2005 | 4:09 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 13,144
I have never encountered any hassles at customs bringing cameras and laptops during multiple travel occassions and back into the country and I never bring the receipts with me.
What should happen should you loose the receipt or no longer have it. Should customs also question you whether or not all the clothes in your luggages were purchased overseas? Should you also bring a copy of the receipt for each piece of clothing in the luggage?
What should happen should you loose the receipt or no longer have it. Should customs also question you whether or not all the clothes in your luggages were purchased overseas? Should you also bring a copy of the receipt for each piece of clothing in the luggage?
Last edited by Rejuvenated; Jun 9, 2005 at 4:13 pm
Jun 9, 2005 | 6:17 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 60
Originally Posted by rejunivated
I have never encountered any hassles at customs bringing cameras and laptops during multiple travel occassions and back into the country and I never bring the receipts with me.
What should happen should you loose the receipt or no longer have it. Should customs also question you whether or not all the clothes in your luggages were purchased overseas? Should you also bring a copy of the receipt for each piece of clothing in the luggage?
What should happen should you loose the receipt or no longer have it. Should customs also question you whether or not all the clothes in your luggages were purchased overseas? Should you also bring a copy of the receipt for each piece of clothing in the luggage?
Jun 9, 2005 | 8:25 pm
#11
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,854
Don't bother. US customs has not actively gone after "camera stuff" for about 15 years. As long as it is not new in the box, they do not care (for that matter camera prices in the US have been the cheapest in the world for over a decade so only a fool would be grey market importing a camera). For that matter Filipinos are some of the happiest snappers on earth and most travel home every year so I do not think it would be a problem (again as long as its not shiny new out of a box). If you go to customs to register a camera these days they will laugh at you.
Jun 9, 2005 | 10:02 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
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Posts: 6,531
Originally Posted by hfly
Don't bother. US customs has not actively gone after "camera stuff" for about 15 years. As long as it is not new in the box, they do not care (for that matter camera prices in the US have been the cheapest in the world for over a decade so only a fool would be grey market importing a camera). For that matter Filipinos are some of the happiest snappers on earth and most travel home every year so I do not think it would be a problem (again as long as its not shiny new out of a box). If you go to customs to register a camera these days they will laugh at you.
I agree. Although I haven't visited the PI (at least since Uncle Sugar paid for the trip a LOOONG time ago,) I have been back and forth to Asia several times recently. US Customs has never even looked at my cameras.
As long as it is not brand new in the box, you should be fine.
JR
Jun 10, 2005 | 12:25 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 13,144
Originally Posted by 777heavy
What would happen if i dont have the reciet?
Look...just relax. Tourists travel out of the country all the time with their cameras and very seldomly do they ever be questioned upon return home at customs regarding the location of the purchase. People would have stopped bringing cameras on their vacation long time ago if they have such paranoia that they'll have to pay duty everytime they bring their cameras overseas.
Last edited by Rejuvenated; Jun 10, 2005 at 12:43 am
Jun 10, 2005 | 12:28 am
#14
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Originally Posted by abmj-jr
I agree. Although I haven't visited the PI (at least since Uncle Sugar paid for the trip a LOOONG time ago,) I have been back and forth to Asia several times recently. US Customs has never even looked at my cameras.
As long as it is not brand new in the box, you should be fine.
JR
As long as it is not brand new in the box, you should be fine.
JR
you'll have no problem, at all.