Flying Abroad for the First Time

I never declare my camera or jewelry or anything else I bring over to Europe prior to leaving. I don't bring anything very expensive. Perhaps if I did bring expensive equipment I might register it - perhaps others can answer this. But I just make sure I have my passport and get on the plane.
I keep receipts from most of the things I purchase and add them up on the plane and fill in the declaration card with items I bought and roughly their cost. I've never spent more than $800. When entering the US, customs will look at your declaration card and decide whether to question you about anything or not. I've never had a problem.

Have a great time!

I've never registered anything prior to leaving. I think they expect that you'll travel with a camera. I might register if I had something new & unique to the country I was going to, so customs wouldn't think I'd bought it during the trip. Coming home, I do list purchases. I usually lump them under souveniers. I list any food I'm bringing in separately so they can ask me about it if they want. I used to just store food in my bag & then worry about someone going thru my bag in customs. it's easier on me to just state what I have.

You declare everything you buy -- EVERYTHING !!! If you have a brand new camera without a scratch on it, you might want to consider registering or carry the sales receipt for the camera. Even if you don't you probably will not have any problem. The people who get in trouble are those who don't declare everything, get caught -- maybe 1 in 10 -- and since they found one thing you didn't declare, then everything is suspicious. And other hand you could sail through customs because the custom inspector doesn't care about you at the moment. It is random and the lucky of draw.

I always declare everything from my sweaters to the paperback books and souvenir booklets. I can get close to the $800 if I am on a present buying trip. I stash the receipts in a baggie and go through it on the trip home. I do group things--paperback books, booklets etc. Pam

I'm with others on the camera, I wouldn't bother registering it before I go,, but, mine is cheap and old,, so hardly anything to worry about. If you have a new nice one,, I guess it would be best to then register it or at least bring the receipt.

I never bring home more then 100- 200 dollars worth of stuff. My trips are not about shopping, and I travel with only a carry on,, really easy for customs to see the 3 t shirts and couple of scarves I do buy.. LOL Shoppers definately have more to worry about( 800 dollars,, thats almost another airline ticket back to Paris, no way would I waste that on "stuff" LOL)

If it is a brand new camera, expensive then ya I would at least have a copy of the reciept for it but no I would not register it.

I used to register my photo equipment when I was carrying 2 SLR bodies, multiple lenses, flash, tripod, etc. On my last Europe trip I did carry receipts for my new DSLR, but didn't register. I won't retister equipment this year. When I returned through customs on my last trip, the agent looked at my declaration document, smiled, and said, "You sure listed every last little thing here, didn't you?" I had, and he was apparently surprised. (Evidently not many folks do make a complete list.) Oh, I did forget the small chamois sausage my wife carried and we had intended to eat on the plane. I'm glad they didn't find it!

I don't buy that much but I list everything I spent money on. The worst case scenario is you have to pay duty or are told something isn't allowed in the country. You're never in trouble though, unless you fail to declare something. Even then, they will probably ask you more than once about it.

sorry for this newbie question added to this thread--
Can someone explain why you would register your camera equipment or need a receipt on you for it? ( I do have a DSLR that I am bringing and a few pcs of equipment.) I have insured it (for loss or if it broken here at home and it is covered anywhere I go)

thank you for explaining this and the purpose behind it...

viv

Viv,
I 'm assuming it's so when you return the US, they don't think you bought the camera in Europe and are trying to get it through customs without declaring/paying for it.

Viv,
My understanding is also that you are proving you aren't trying to avoid paying the duty. I think this is not really common on flights from Europe, used to be a problem on Asia flights. (I haven't done that route in a while)

While I will be taking my nice DSL, it's old enough that I am not worried that any customs guy will think it's "new" LOL!

The form is to prove you didn't buy it in Europe and are trying to bring it back without declaring it.

As I travel with camera, cellphone, wifi PDA and Kindle...I register all before I leave. All you have to do is stop by your local U.S. customs office and fill out the form. (You can even print it out online.) They stamp it and give it back. In case you are questioned upon your return, you show the form and that takes cares of everything. (Lots of people forget to add jewelry and watches to the form--both of which can cause problems.)

That said, most people dont' bother with the form. I do because I like as few hassles as possible.