Other are US citizens supposed to declare iPhones that they purchased overseas when arriving at US airports?

[JPack]

I’m confused. Can’t you just buy the phone in Canada and switch your sim over to it.

I seriously doubt every cbp agent is going to start checking everyone’s phones

Takes 5 seconds to check. Settings > General> About.

So many Americans want to avoid an extra $500 or $1,000. Why wouldn't CBP check? It's the pretty much the only thing being talked about in the news.

CBP can be further motivated by getting a percentage of the proceeds.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Do we know that the Canadian iPhone 17 will have a removable SIM card?

 

[scorpio vega]

Takes 5 seconds to check. Settings > General> About.

So many Americans want to avoid an extra $500 or $1,000. Why wouldn't CBP check? It's the pretty much the only thing being talked about in the news.

CBP can be further motivated by getting a percentage of the proceeds.

but how would they prove that your iPhone hasn’t already BEEN through customs.

Yes it shows it is a Canadian model but what’s to say I haven’t already paid for said iPhone prior to my return from Canada?

I’m just curious is all

 

[JPack]

but how would they prove that your iPhone hasn’t already BEEN through customs.

Yes it shows it is a Canadian model but what’s to say I haven’t already paid for said iPhone prior to my return from Canada?

I’m just curious is all

Because you are required to fill in Form 4457 before leaving the country to prove you were in possession of the device.

If you don’t have the form or some reasonable proof, like a receipt of purchase from a U.S. store or paid customs invoice, it’ll be treated as an import.

Otherwise, everyone’s going to be wearing shoes, jewelry, electronics coming back claiming they’re old and they had them before traveling.

 

[scorpio vega]

Because you are required to fill in Form 4457 before leaving the country to prove you were in possession of the device.

If you don’t have the form or some reasonable proof, like a receipt of purchase from a U.S. store or paid customs invoice, it’ll be treated as an import.

Otherwise, everyone’s going to be wearing shoes, jewelry, electronics coming back claiming they’re old and they had them before traveling.

Just did a quick search. It’s not a required form. At this current time Which goes back to my original point. I doubt customs agents are going to check EVERY persons phone to prove that it was not an import.

They don’t have the time or resources to do that.

That being said, probably would be wise to film that form out so you don’t become one of the random people they do decide to check.

Similar to traffic stops where they don’t check every single car hit they choose at random every few cars

 

[doogm]

I’m confused. Can’t you just buy the phone in Canada and switch your sim over to it.

I seriously doubt every cbp agent is going to start checking everyone’s phones

Just to note that I went through customs on January 28 and it was no different from prior times. The immigration agent asked "Do you have anything to declare?" I said yes - I had a watch I had purchased for someone else, worth $400. I was waved through. Nobody asked to look at my phone; nobody asked for any of my receipts; they took me at my word. I am an old, white man, so - advantages - but I imagine that border patrol agents are not going to waste everyone's time looking at each and every piece of electronics as people cross the border.

I am always honest and declare everything, even it would mean paying duty. I'd encourage everyone else to do the same - it's not worth the hassle if you are caught. Even though I have exceeded the limit more than once (though the last time was 2023), I have never been asked to pay a duty.

 

[JPack]

Just to note that I went through customs on January 28 and it was no different from prior times. The immigration agent asked "Do you have anything to declare?" I said yes - I had a watch I had purchased for someone else, worth $400. I was waved through. Nobody asked to look at my phone; nobody asked for any of my receipts; they took me at my word. I am an old, white man, so - advantages - but I imagine that border patrol agents are not going to waste everyone's time looking at each and every piece of electronics as people cross the border.

I am always honest and declare everything, even it would mean paying duty. I'd encourage everyone else to do the same - it's not worth the hassle if you are caught. Even though I have exceeded the limit more than once (though the last time was 2023), I have never been asked to pay a duty.

Not only were you under the $800 limit, but the duties to apply if you exceeded that would be 3%.

Now that the rule has changed to $0 and 104% for made in China, you don’t think CBP agents would act differently?

Everybody is thinking this for iPhone. At minimum, they’re going to glance to see if you’re holding something that looks like an iPhone 17.

 

[DaveFromCampbelltown]

I would never, ever try to put anything over on a Customs Officer. They have seen it all, they are trained in reading people, and it's just not worth it.
The fines for trying to evade Customs Duty are generally far higher than the original duty.
I've seen the people in front of me in the queue try to do it, all it resulted in was

1. Duty levied,
2. a Fine and
3. a grumpy Customs Officer when it got to my turn.