CBP Form 4457 is the Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad. You register foreign-made items with serial numbers, such as cameras or laptops, with CBP before you leave, so you can show they weren't bought on your trip when you return.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always check current requirements on the official CBP website.
What Is CBP Form 4457?
CBP Form 4457, Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad, lets travelers register valuable items, often foreign-made, before leaving the United States. When you come back, the signed certificate shows CBP that you already owned the items, so you aren't asked to pay duty on them as new purchases.
Who Uses CBP Form 4457?
- U.S. residents traveling abroad with foreign-made items such as cameras, watches, laptops or lenses
- Anyone who wants proof that items were owned before the trip
Key Rules at a Glance
| Topic | What applies |
|---|---|
| Which items qualify | Registration is restricted to articles with serial numbers or unique markings |
| How to register | Bring the items and the form to a CBP office before departure. The officer compares the items with the form and signs it |
| How long it's valid | For re-importation of the registered articles for as long as the document is legible |
| Transferable? | No. The certificate is not transferable |
| Use abroad | It is only for re-entry into the U.S., not an entry document for another country |
| Repairs abroad | Foreign repairs or alterations are dutiable even on registered items and must be declared on return |
How to Register Items on Form 4457
- Download Form 4457 from CBP and list each item with its serial number or unique marking.
- Take the items and the form to a local CBP office or port before you depart.
- Have the CBP officer inspect the items and sign the certificate.
- Keep the signed form and show it to CBP each time you bring the registered items back.
Form 4457 vs Form 4455
Form 4457 covers personal effects you take on a trip. CBP Form 4455 is the certificate of registration used mainly for commercial shipments exported for repair, alteration or processing.
Related CBP Forms and Official Sources
Related forms: CBP Form 6059B (customs declaration) · CBP Form 4455 (certificate of registration) · CBP I-94 record
Official sources:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBP Form 4457 used for?
To register personal items, usually foreign-made items with serial numbers, with CBP before you travel, so you can prove you owned them when you return.
Where do I get Form 4457 signed?
Take the items and the form to a CBP office or port before you leave. A CBP officer must see the items and sign the form.
Does Form 4457 expire?
CBP says it remains valid for re-importation of the registered articles for as long as the document is legible.
Can I register items without a serial number?
Registration is restricted to articles with serial numbers or unique markings.
