What constitutes proof of purchase???

[ivanova]

If you are traveling with expensive jewelry, you may want to bring proof of purchase, in order to avoid having to pay duties upon return to the ship.

I was thinking about this in regards to our camera equipment too ... what if you no longer have "proof" of purchase (i.e. the original receipt from decades ago)???

I was thinking of taking pictures of anything "expensive" while we're still at home ... and taking those pictures with us on the trip as proof that we owned the items before leaving home. I just don't want to go thru heck with Customs.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

I would not worry about this. I've never been questioned about my camera or my wife's jewelry or anything like that upon retrurning from vacation. Customs understands that people bring these types of things with them on cruises. In fact, it is extremely unlikely that they would even know you have them. Just list what you've bought on the cruise (save your receipts for these) and you'll zip right through. Even if you exceed your allowance and have to pay duty, they'll only look at the list you give them. I've never even been asked to confirm the value of the things I've declared. They just say, "That'll be $10," and that's that. I've been on 20-some cruises, and have never had to account for anything I owned prior to the cruise. Think of this as just the fine print.

 

[Greysword]

Sorry to recycle a post. This question came up before, and this was my answer:


This site is the Know Before You Go page, and seems to have a lot of great info!

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/c.../know_brochure/

A link from the above page is the What You Must Declare page:

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/c...ure/declare.xml

A quote on this page answers your last question about the camera:

"Register Items Before You Leave the United States
If your laptop computer was made in Japan - for instance - you might have to pay duty on it each time you bring it back into the United States, unless you could prove that you owned it before you left on your trip. Documents that fully describe the item - for example, sales receipts, insurance policies, or jeweler's appraisals - are acceptable forms of proof. To make things easier, you can register certain items with Customs before you depart - including watches, cameras, laptop computers, firearms, and tape recorders - as long as they have serial numbers or other unique, permanent markings. Take the items to the nearest Customs Office and request a Certificate of Registration (Customs Form 4457). It shows Customs that you had the items with you before leaving the U.S. and all items listed on it will be allowed duty-free entry. Customs inspectors must see the item you are registering in order to certify the certificate of registration. You can register items with Customs at the international airport from which you're departing. Keep the certificate for future trips."

An example of Form 4457 is at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/l...egistration.xml

Another link which is between the Know Before You Go and the What You Must Declare
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/l...ginUS/vacation/

You can call the local US Customs office yourself for specific question.

Hope this helps a little!

 

[Greysword]

Links didn't transfer well. They are:

Know Before You Go:
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/vacation/know_brochure/


What You Must Declare:
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/vacation/know_brochure/declare.xml


Certificate of Registration:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/certificate_of_registration.xml

Pleasure and Vacation travel (Know Before You Go)
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingarrivinginUS/vacation/

You probably do not have to worry about it, but if you want to feel extra safe, you can fill out the forms. Plus, they are good forever afterwards!

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[tvguy]

Registering stuff with customs would be smart. I did that on my first cruise. I was working as a cameraman for a TV station and had $60K worth of equipment with me. (tough assignment,eh?).
But, I would give serious thought to whether you really need to take such expense stuff, you're on vacation, why have to worry about something?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We went overseas to the UK and France in March and had no problems. Customs reviewed the declaration forms and did not search through our luggage as verification. We have a $400 camera, $300+ storage device--no problems what soever (although I'd like to get my hands on that $60K equipment

Tips from the past have been to pack all your purchases in one bag just in case they need to see them.
)