§148.53. Exemption for tools of trade. — Inbound Citations

(a) Theatrical scenery, properties, and effects, motion-picture films (including motion-picture films taken aboard a vessel for exhibition only during an outward voyage and returned for the same purpose during an inward voyage on the same or another vessel), commercial travelers' samples, and professional books, implements, instruments, and tools of trade, occupation, or employment (see § 148.53 of this chapter), of domestic or foreign origin, taken abroad may be returned without formal entry and without payment of duty if an exportation voucher from a carnet, when applicable, or an application on Customs Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent, was filed, and the merchandise was identified as set forth in § 10.8, before exportation of the articles. Articles exported under cover of an A.T.A. carnet (where the carnet serves as the control document) may, in accordance with this paragraph, be returned without entry or the payment of duty. If Customs Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent, is utilized, commercial travelers' samples, professional books, implements, instruments, and tools of trade, occupation, or employment may be returned with either an informal entry or a declaration on Customs Form 3299, or its electronic equivalent; theatrical scenery, properties, and effects and motion-picture films may be returned only with an informal entry. When articles other than those exported by mail or parcel post are examined and registered at one port and exported through another port, the port director may require proof of exportation in those cases where the carnet or Customs Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent, does not reflect that these articles were exported under Customs supervision. In the case of commercial travelers' samples taken abroad for temporary use, except where exportation involves certification of a carnet, port directors may waive examination of the samples at the time of exportation. When motion-picture films are to be taken aboard a vessel for exhibition only during an outward voyage and are to be returned for the same purpose during an inward voyage on the same or another vessel, port directors may waive examination and supervision at the time of exportation. When theatrical scenery, properties, and effects are taken abroad in sealed carload lots by rail for temporary use, the cars must be sealed by U.S. Customs officers for entry at any Canadian or Mexican port where U.S. Customs officers are stationed. Application and examination before the time of exportation is waived if a Customs Form 4455, or its electronic equivalent, is filed with the U.S. Customs officer in the appropriate Canadian or Mexican port, and that officer examines the articles before they are released from foreign customs custody by the foreign customs officer.

(b) Professional books, implements, instruments, and tools of trade, occupation, or employment taken abroad by an individual and brought back on his return to this country (see § 148.53 of this chapter);

(b) Certain personal and household effects and tools of trade may be passed free of duty without issuing an entry, in accordance with § 148.53 of this chapter.

(b) If the port director is satisfied that an entry would serve no good purpose, none need be required, but evidence of ownership for Customs purposes, such as a carrier's certificate or properly endorsed bill of lading, shall be required with the declaration. Such exemption from entry may also be applied with respect to household effects or tools of trade entitled to free entry (see §§ 148.52 and 148.53 respectively) which are unaccompanied or forwarded in bond.