urgent info needed from those who traveled to china

my soon to be mother in law told me on our upcoming trip to china/hong kong i may have an issue with my camera gear on the way back. she told me i may have to pay customs if i cant prove it was bought in america. is this true? should i may copies of reciept (aka find them) and what about items i bought used? I've never had issues in other countries I've traveled to.

thanks in advance. I leave in 3 days.

Happens quite often in France, but if you have the receipts it should be fine. Also if they see the gear is used they shouldn't put you in trouble.

In Australia, you fill out a form "goods exported in passenger luggage"with all the equipment details (eg. serial no. etc.), get it stamped and signed by customs on the way out of the country. Then there is no problems coming back in with your stuff, otherwise they can charge you GST over here.

I think this is the US Version of the process and form.

http://www.cbp.gov …n/kbyg/register​_items.xml

http://forms.cbp.gov/p​df/CBP_Form_4457.pdf

Never heard of such a problem.

Try going to the TSA website. There's a link there that tells you about a U.S customs form that you can pre-fill with the info of your equipment that you're taking overseas and that will serve as proof that you bought them here in the U.S. I think you will submit a copy to customs and keep a copy with you. You do this before you depart.

Hope this helps.

Mabuhay!

EDIT: Lannes beat to the punch. Excellent advice.

lannes wrote in post #10184164
In Australia, you fill out a form "goods exported in passenger luggage"with all the equipment details (eg. serial no. etc.), get it stamped and signed by customs on the way out of the country. Then there is no problems coming back in with your stuff, otherwise they can charge you GST over here.

I think this is the US Version of the process and form.

http://www.cbp.gov …n/kbyg/register​_items.xml

http://forms.cbp.gov/p​df/CBP_Form_4457.pdf

I have travelled a fair bit through South-east Asia over the last 16 years or so, and have never had any dramas with Australian customs when returning. I have not yet been to mainland China though, but that being said, we are doing a big trip there next year. Maybe I might have to enquire further with Aussie Customs before we go.

I've been to China, HK, and Taiwan with a camera crew and never had a problem. Same with going solo. You should check with the TSA website though as mentioned above.