Bringing rifle back to US from MX hunt

[Shooter264]

He didn't explain what the form is for or why I should complete it, but I plan to look it up. I think the whole mess is just liberal US beauracracy at work, harassing citizens who hunt. I will say this, Canadian customs was much worse on our way into the country, It took us fully 3 hours to get through the whole 4 stage mess before we could check into our flight to Whitehorse on Air North. Fortunately, our outfitter had warned us to allow 3 hours between flights, and we had 4 hours.

100% agree I will do everything to stay out of Vancouver when traveling to Canada. I'm fortunate to live in Wyoming so I always drive Calgary and jump on Air North there. Last time I flew through Vancouver all my luggage got trashed and my gun went missing for about 2 weeks. I spent 3 hours w US customs and almost missed a flight. Fortunately it was on my way back from the hunt. I had the opposite experience you had, Canadian customs was a breeze the US side was a pain in the rear!

 

[BigDon]

If your gun is already in Mexico and you don't already have a signed 4457 you are likely going to have some complications. Do you have,in hand, your Mexican gun permits? If so, you may be able to finagle your way through customs. If you don't have your Mexican gun permits - How did you get the gun to your outfitter? I've had both rifle and shotgun permits for years for Mexico, Canada, UK, etc for years, so know the drill.

You can't get a 4457 without your gun - in hand - on this side of the border. The best thing you can do is have the purchase receipts for the rifle And scope in hand before you leave home. That gives you some plausibility when they ask for your 4457 - And they will. I have never crossed the border in either direction without having to present my firearms to customs.

 

[Korhil78]

I just returned from Canada, and the US Customs agent in Vancouver told me to complete an ATF Form 6 (online) before my next trip outside the country.

You would use that if you were bringing guns from Canada to the US with the intent of moving to the US from Canada. It would
Make zero sense to fill out a ATF form 6 if you already have registered guns in the US and live in the US and are just going hunting in Canada and then returning to the US.

 

[FEENIX]

Can anyone answer - is there an ATF form to have approved prior to going to MX to bring a gun back into the US after a hunt?

As noted in #7, @Korhil78 is still in CBP and is the resident expert on this type of information.

 

[Spooksar]

He didn't explain what the form is for or why I should complete it, but I plan to look it up. I think the whole mess is just liberal US beauracracy at work, harassing citizens who hunt. I will say this, Canadian customs was much worse on our way into the country, It took us fully 3 hours to get through the whole 4 stage mess before we could check into our flight to Whitehorse on Air North. Fortunately, our outfitter had warned us to allow 3 hours between flights, and we had 4 hours.

Your mistake was going through Vancouve, Calgary is the best port of entry when flying to Canada. Vancouver has a bunch of socialist gun hating costum agent. I've come back through Calgary and Edmonton many time. In Calgary I've seen US hunters ahead of me get through in less then 30 minute. Vancouver even without firearms it's a hassl.

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

Your mistake was going through Vancouve, Calgary is the best port of entry when flying to Canada. Vancouver has a bunch of socialist gun hating costum agent. I've come back through Calgary and Edmonton many time. In Calgary I've seen US hunters ahead of me get through in less then 30 minute. Vancouver even without firearms it's a hassl.

I most definitely will!

 

[ml williford]

You will show up to the port of entry and have the rifle in a case. Present it to the Customs officer at the port and they will run a NCIC check on the rifle. They will then fill out a CBP form 4457 which is a "Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad" for you. You then get in your vehicle and go the Mexican custom guys and present that form to them (they will kick you back to the US if you don't have it). You will do this going in and going out of the US.

Also, if you are brining a head or a hide back into the US, you will need to call the US port of entry ahead of time and ask them when their "AQI" will be on so they can inspect it. It's like the Customs version of fish and game. They only work certain days so if you don't call ahead and find out when they will be there, you can't get back to thE US with the head and hide and will have to wait hours or days in Mexico for when they will be working.

When we come back into the US the skulls have to be completely clean of any brain matter. We boil them clean and pick everything out. This is the toughest part of coming back from MX. US customs is a bitch with skulls.

 

[squeezenhope]

Not just skulls! Capes better be free of ticks or they will likely be confiscated .

 

[dogz]

View attachment 392892
Good luck. Killed this on three years ago in Mexico.

Sweet ram! Now we're talking about something special for one to do. I guided 2 desert sheep hunts in Mx many moons ago, a couple of my best trips ever!

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Beautiful Harvest of animals Congrats on your hunt trip!

Amazing how the Broder Patrol can restrict animals, meat, Capes from animals hunted and firearms from USA Citizens but 10 million illegals aliens and some Terrorists along with millions/billions$$$$ of Drugs and Firearms cross the Border all the time every year.

 

[Korhil78]

Beautiful Harvest of animals Congrats on your hunt trip!

Amazing how the Broder Patrol can restrict animals, meat, Capes from animals hunted and firearms from USA Citizens but 10 million illegals aliens and some Terrorists along with millions/billions$$$$ of Drugs and Firearms cross the Border all the time every year.

Well first off, it would be nice to educate yourself on what is what if you are going to criticize an agency. Ports of Entry are manned by Customs Agents which all of your capes, firearms, skulls etc go through for inspection. So they stand at the Port of Entry and ask you questions about what you are crossing into the United States with. Border Patrol enforces all immigration laws between the Ports of Entry which is totally different. So Border Patrol Agents are out on foot, atv, horses and vehicles in the desert chasing foot sign of individuals who have illegally entered the United States.

So Border Patrol is the one letting all of your terrorists, 10 million illegals and drugs into the country. But on behalf of all the Border Patrol Agents, thank you for your blanket criticism. If you think you are frustrated, think of all of the agents who are working hard out in dangerous and deadly terrain everyday, hamstringed by you know who while you sip on your morning tea.

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

Well first off, it would be nice to educate yourself on what is what if you are going to criticize an agency. Ports of Entry are manned by Customs Agents which all of your capes, firearms, skulls etc go through for inspection. So they stand at the Port of Entry and ask you questions about what you are crossing into the United States with. Border Patrol enforces all immigration laws between the Ports of Entry which is totally different. So Border Patrol Agents are out on foot, atv, horses and vehicles in the desert chasing foot sign of individuals who have illegally entered the United States.

So Border Patrol is the one letting all of your terrorists, 10 million illegals and drugs into the country. But on behalf of all the Border Patrol Agents, thank you for your blanket criticism. If you think you are frustrated, think of all of the agents who are working hard out in dangerous and deadly terrain everyday, hamstrings by you know who while you sip on your morning tea.

I have nothing against Border Control Agents. I have the highest regards for ALL OF THEM.
Don't know why you are attacking me. I think that you have an issue with me talking about the Boder and how this administration is letting all illegals, drugs and firearms across the border. Customs is also part of the Border Control. KAMAL is the Border ZAR and never visited to border.

My point was that LEGAL USA Citizens get hassled coming back into the USA and ILLEGALS ARE NOT. It is the way this current administration has it set up.
If it was up the Border/Custom Control we would not have all the problems at the Border. Their hands are tied.

 

[Bighorn191]

Since I started this thread, I should report back about how it went in MX bringing my gun and optics/ammo back to the US. I did get the CBP 4457 form filled out and listed my rifle and scope serial numbers, as well as listed all optics with their serial numbers. I had this form checked and signed in Phoenix by the Customs and Border Patrol. We went on the hunt and killed a nice Desert sheep on day 10. We had no issues getting out of Hermosillo and the gun permit thing there is quite easy. At customs, back in Phoenix, they never asked for my form or verified anything on the gun/scope or my optics. It was super easy. They run everything through a XRay machine and are more concerned about anyone bringing plant or animal stuff back into the US. I wouldn't hesitate getting the form done again but it turned out I just didn't actually need it. My sheep horns and cape and a Coues deer that I shot are being shipped to my taxidermist. I am hoping that goes well.

One note: In MX, you need your original stamped and signed gun permit (by your outiftter) and when you leave, you need to have 2 copies of it. They will take both copies when you leave and will also check the original gun permit. They check serial numbers on both the gun and scope to make sure it matches the permit information.

 

[squeezenhope]

I have been crossing in and out of Sonora for several years. I have been told by several CBP agents that they do not concern themselves with optics and there is no reason to list them on a 4457. The problem with CBP agents is one will tell you one thing and another will tell you just the opposite. I no longer list optics on my forms.