Given a bit of hard time at the US customs for a DSLR

[TOF guy]

I just came back from trip abroad. There were many more people selected for a search of their luggage at the US customs than there usually is (Newark airport, NJ). And I got picked for a check.

The only thing which got the customs officer attention was my camera: a 3 year-old relatively expensive dSLR (the attached lens which cost just as much did not attract any of his attention). He looked at it very carefully, turned it on, then without warning me checked the last images stored in memory (this made me wince a little because in principle it's a bit of invasion of my private life, and I can't see what I shoot with the camera has anything to do with US Customs. I did not raise any objection, though). The officer then proceeded with a few questions such as why I had such an expensive camera (again not really relevant to what he does but okay), how old it was, where I bought it, etc. Ultimately he stated that he believed me, and would let me go. But he also warned that this was his call. Another officer may not believe that the camera was bought in the US and demand that either I pay duties on the camera or have it retained by the Customs (I assume until I can bring proof that the camera was indeed bought in the US). Of course one could ask why would anybody buy a camera in Europe where they are more expensive than in the US - even bought duty free ;-)

He recommended that in the future I register any expensive electronics with the US Customs before leaving the country. Apparently the process takes 5 minutes and can be done right at the airport. Something to consider seriously I think.

The officer was courteous (so was I) and professional. I have no complain at all in this regard.
--
Thierry

 

[beshannon]

The officer was just doing his job and when in doubt you should carry proof of purchase and/or register the items.
--
My photos http://brianshannon.smugmug.com/
My photo blog http://brianshannonphotography.blogspot.com/
My Flickr stream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_shannon_photography/

 

[Steven Blackwood]

Good to know. If I ever go out of the US with my DSLR, I believe I will pack my invoice.
--
Steve
[email protected]

 

[Christakis]

Interesting. I bet he was a big camera fan and wanted to give it a go ;-) Seriously though, if there's an easy way to avoid trouble like that, why not do it? Thanks for sharing, although I'm not form US, I'm sure it will be useful to many.

Christakis

-
http://blog.christakisphoto.com/
(Updated every Monday and Friday)

 

[TOF guy]

The officer was just doing his job

Sure, for the most part: checking the pictures is not part of his job.

and when in doubt you should carry proof of purchase and/or register the items.

I asked about bringing proof of purchases. He recommended against bringing a proof of purchase He did not elaborate why (I suppose that he may question its authenticity)

According to this US Customs officer the correct and only way to deal with this is to register the camera.

--
Thierry

 

[TOF guy]

Good to know. If I ever go out of the US with my DSLR, I believe I will pack my invoice.
--

Steve
See my comments about bringing an invoice in this post:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1018&message=37724812
--
Thierry

 

[Steven Blackwood]

How do you prove registration?
--
Steve
[email protected]

 

[deleted_081301]

give em a uniform and they think they are Adolf Hitler

 

[TOF guy]

How do you prove registration?

My understanding is that you go to the US Customs office prior to departure. I haven't done it yet but I suppose that you show them the camera and they can see for themselves that you are in its possession prior to leaving the country. Either they register that fact in their database or they give you some certificate (or both). In any case they will know for a fact that you didn't buy your stuff abroad during your last trip since you were able to show that you were in its possession prior to departure.

Maybe somebody in this forum has already been though the process and can shed some light.
--
Thierry

 

[TOF guy]

(snip) I'm not from US

The process of registering electronics with the local Customs office may apply to other countries as well. After all if you're search at your country's customs office they may want you to prove that you paid taxes on your expensive camera.
--
Thierry

 

[James C. Murray]

TOF guy wrote:
SNIP

Sure, for the most part: checking the pictures is not part of his job.

--
Thierry

I think if you look into it you will find that Customs are entitled to look into pretty much anything you bring into the country, and that includes the content of all sorts of data storage devices.

Most of the time Customs are not as thorough as your encounter with them, but once in a while it happens and they don't have to justify their actions.

This guy was only doing what he is entitled to do.

I spent a career going through Customs all over the world and in most jurisdictions Customs have very extensive search authority.

 

[BRJR]

Exactly, and you both handled this situation as most "Real Americans" expect, as you both did exactly as we expect of you. You both deserve congratulations for a job well done, and I extend my thanks to both of you in this regard.

--
BRJR ....(LOL, some of us are quite satisfied as Hobbyists ..)

I just came back from trip abroad. There were many more people selected for a search of their luggage at the US customs than there usually is (Newark airport, NJ). And I got picked for a check.

The only thing which got the customs officer attention was my camera: a 3 year-old relatively expensive dSLR (the attached lens which cost just as much did not attract any of his attention). He looked at it very carefully, turned it on, then without warning me checked the last images stored in memory (this made me wince a little because in principle it's a bit of invasion of my private life, and I can't see what I shoot with the camera has anything to do with US Customs. I did not raise any objection, though). The officer then proceeded with a few questions such as why I had such an expensive camera (again not really relevant to what he does but okay), how old it was, where I bought it, etc. Ultimately he stated that he believed me, and would let me go. But he also warned that this was his call. Another officer may not believe that the camera was bought in the US and demand that either I pay duties on the camera or have it retained by the Customs (I assume until I can bring proof that the camera was indeed bought in the US). Of course one could ask why would anybody buy a camera in Europe where they are more expensive than in the US - even bought duty free ;-)

He recommended that in the future I register any expensive electronics with the US Customs before leaving the country. Apparently the process takes 5 minutes and can be done right at the airport. Something to consider seriously I think.

The officer was courteous (so was I) and professional. I have no complain at all in this regard.
--
Thierry

 

[Christakis]

I actually need to look into that. My camera came with a passport, wonder if they accept that. LOL.

Christakis
-
http://blog.christakisphoto.com/
(Updated every Monday and Friday)

 

[David Clarke29]

This is a fairly regular procedure on arrival into UK air or seaport if you re selected for search. Mainly deals with passengers returning from non EU countries where quite expensive items can be bought tax free. Generally ok officers doing their job although no doubt there will be the odd one with a ego to massage at your expense.

Dave. (UK)

 

[TOF guy]

I think if you look into it you will find that Customs are entitled to look into pretty much anything you bring into the country, and that includes the content of all sorts of data storage devices.

I am not so sure. We assume that they have all the authority, but maybe not. In fact they don't have all authority in any democratic country. The question is 1) are they going to tell you your rights and 2) do they even know where their authority ends?

For instance say I have a nice lnotepad in my luggage with a leather cover. A custom officer may have the right to look at the outside of the notebook, say to decide whether it has a value etc. But does he have the right to open it and start reading your notes, if even for the 1st two pages? I very much doubt it. Same for the pictures stored in the camera IMO.

Mind you the fact that he perused a few shots was not a big deal for me. In fact I didn't care. But that does not mean that in this very specific aspect the Customs officer did not go beyond what he is allowed to do: he did, probably out of ignorance more than anything else.
--
Thierry

 

[James C. Murray]

How do you prove registration?

My understanding is that you go to the US Customs office prior to departure. I haven't done it yet but I suppose that you show them the camera and they can see for themselves that you are in its possession prior to leaving the country. Either they register that fact in their database or they give you some certificate (or both). In any case they will know for a fact that you didn't buy your stuff abroad during your last trip since you were able to show that you were in its possession prior to departure.

Maybe somebody in this forum has already been though the process and can shed some light.
--
Thierry

With Canada Customs the procedure is, prior to leaving the country you have your equipment and proof of purchase with you to establish ownership and purchase location, they issue a form identifying the equipment including serial # where applicable that you will be "Exporting", (their term), and this makes returning home a non event.
I imagine most countries will be similar.

Bear in mind that a serial # will leave a trail from manufacturer to importer, to retailer etc. of the item and Customs can get that info with little difficulty.

I have had a card for a lot of my gear over the years. If you go through Customs often enough sooner or later it can save you bother when coming home.

 

[Mr Roygbiv rainbow]

I once knew a guy that used to go through Customs with a massive amount of photography equiptment on a handcart every month of the year . They stopped him every time but let him go because he had all the receipts . They finally got him in the end for smuggling handcarts !
--
Roygbiv

 

[TOF guy]

I once knew a guy that used to go through Customs with a massive amount of photography equiptment on a handcart every month of the year . They stopped him every time but let him go because he had all the receipts . They finally got him in the end for smuggling handcarts !
--

LOL was it at an airport? kind of an expensive way to smuggle handcarts to fly them in!
--
Thierry

 

[TOF guy]

With Canada Customs the procedure is, prior to leaving the country you have your equipment and proof of purchase

Thanks for info. Apparently it is not needed to bring a proof of purchase in the US. They do record the S/N as you've mentioned.
--
Thierry

 

[James C. Murray]

I think if you look into it you will find that Customs are entitled to look into pretty much anything you bring into the country, and that includes the content of all sorts of data storage devices.

I am not so sure. We assume that they have all the authority, but maybe not. In fact they don't have all authority in any democratic country. The question is 1) are they going to tell you your rights and 2) do they even know where their authority ends?

All I can suggest Thierry is that you don't have to take my word on it so perhaps you should look into it. You may feel it is an invasion of your privacy but they DO have a lot of authority when it comes to inspection/searching when you enter the country. There is not much "Maybe" about it. Every thing you bring in is subject to inspection, including stored electronic data by the way.

I also think they are quite aware of how much authority they have. I suppose as in any large organization where people are given authority there is going to be the odd one who becomes over zealous and I guess at the end of the day you end up riding it out unless you want to tilt at windmills .

For instance say I have a nice lnotepad in my luggage with a leather cover. A custom officer may have the right to look at the outside of the notebook, say to decide whether it has a value etc. But does he have the right to open it and start reading your notes, if even for the 1st two pages? I very much doubt it. Same for the pictures stored in the camera IMO.
--
Thierry