My wife and I are back from our last and likely final hunting trip to Africa. #22, and we have been blessed to have been able to enjoy these adventures.

Want to give a rifle to our long time PH. He travels to the US every year, and there is no rush. I know that hunters with great resources post on here. Would very much appreciate referral to an attorney who can navigate this process.

i will talk about the time in the 80s where we were given three rifles by the weatherby family. 1 left hand 460, 1 right hand 460 and 1 right hand 378 for our operation in car.

it was a nightmare as usa, french and car authorities were involved, i do imagine it will be way worst today if the PH is a permanent resident or a citizen of an african country.

good luck on your adventures and thank you fro trying it.

quote:

Originally posted by H T:
My wife and I are back from our last and likely final hunting trip to Africa. #22, and we have been blessed to have been able to enjoy these adventures.

Want to give a rifle to our long time PH. He travels to the US every year, and there is no rush. I know that hunters with great resources post on here. Would very much appreciate referral to an attorney who can navigate this process.

Which country do you need it exported to?

The process is very easy. Use an export house in the USA and have your PH get his dealer to apply for an import permit. Shipping is quite expensive though.

Under no circumstances have your friend transport the rifle on his own.

South Africa, and my friend already has a lawyer there who will handle the work on that side.

quote:

Originally posted by H T:
South Africa, and my friend already has a lawyer there who will handle the work on that side.

SA is very easy. If you need any help just shoot me a pm.

Will do if we hit snags. Thank you!

glad to hear it will easier. thank you again.

I’ve heard you need to get DoD or some sort of export permit. Be safe with what you do, as you are exporting a weapon.

I know some have “lost a rifle in the river.”

Due diligence is the key.

None of the above is legal advice, Saeed!

I know at least three hunters who have lost their rifles in transit, by the airlines.

KLM was involved in two.

I wonder what the DoD think of this??

In the early 80’s, Ken Waters was looking for a particular Mauser action.

I found him one in Belgium.

Getting to him in the States was a nightmare!

He eventually got it, after contacting his Congressman and complaining!

He was so happy to finally get, and could stop having it in his hands as we had coffee in his house.

I would imagine the bureaucracy involved in getting it legally exported from the States would be the main concern.

Clearing it at destination would be a piece of cake by comparison.

Years ago I used to ship my rifles and ammo ahead.

Worked great as I could ship whatever I wanted including cases of ammo, of 22 rim fire and shotgun shells.

One year I was asked to bring a 22.

Too late to ship, so took it apart, it was a BRNO CZ bolt action, and put it in my suitcase!

No one asked anything.

At Victoria Falls customs I told the officer I had a rifle in my suitcase.

He just smiled and waved me on!

Out of the airport we went to the police station, and gave them the serial number as I was leaving it there.

I have left several rifles there in those days.

No one ever asked anything questions!

Won’t happen now with all the senseless rules we have.

Importing and exporting guns from the US is no big deal. People who buy at auctions do it all the time. Just get a competent exporter and stop listening to all the background noise.

quote:

Originally posted by vvreddy:
Importing and exporting guns from the US is no big deal. People who buy at auctions do it all the time. Just get a competent exporter and stop listening to all the background noise.

Yep. What he said!

Good advice, gents! I’ve contacted a licensed exporter in the Phoenix area. He’s explained some of the processes needed. Doable!

It's supposed to be a simple operation, it says so in Form 6 section.

You ONLY need BATF's cooperation! Good luck with that part.

Here is MY own experiences over the past three years.

Three years ago I was given 10 old English double shotguns, bought 3 more. I have been dealing with a big-time worldwide firearm exporter in Cheshire Eng. Re: Cheshire Gun Room.

Read up on form 6 of ATF rules. This explains it all, except the cooperation part.

I got a C&R license for this.
Applied, 4 of the guns were "Disapproved".
One, a Russian Baikal from 1930's that's been in England since new. BlaBla: " firearms from Russia cannot be imported into the USA".
Ok fine, the others had no Mfg markings, rejected, ok, I can live with that too.

ONE "disapproved" kicks the full application back to relist the rest. I've done that four times.

In those pages of form 6, is one that gives the mailing address in Portland, Ore for Imports office. My first try was sent to Va. Hq, They sent it back: "wrong office." No indication where the correct office was/is.
I had a local friend call them and got the Portland address.

Twice I mailed things including full color pictures of each gun. They kept those pictures.
Each time, each application description page has to be submitted in triplicate.

The last three times my mailing have been kicked back: "not deliverable wrong address RTS".
All three have had the address cut from printed copies of that page in form 6. WTF??
NO mistake of proper address that way.

Last May 21 I received the last one back.
I wrote a letter explaining, and copies of the three returned envelopes sent to Va. Hq.
So far, no response of any kind.

As has been said above: GOOD LUCK!!

George

Maybe you should try using an importer here who is familiar with the process rather than winging it on your own.
Haven't had any problems with importing a couple of rifles from the UK. Took a couple of months.

quote:

Originally posted by vvreddy:
Maybe you should try using an importer here who is familiar with the process rather than winging it on your own.
Haven't had any problems with importing a couple of rifles from the UK. Took a couple of months.

This is the right way. Takes like 3 weeks for the US to issue an export permit if done correctly. The fees are very reasonable.

Your PH will need a import permit before the export agent here in the US can ask for for a US export license
What country is your PH in? Some countries you can not export a firearm to, ie Zim.

I have used Les for many exports & can walk you thru the process for both export from the US and import into the Africian country

Les Winner

Polaris Worldwide Logistics

22650 Executive Drive Ste 137

Sterling VA. 20166

Tel: 703-435-2696

Fax: 703-435-2177

Cell: 703-675-4632

E-Mail: les.winner@polaris-logistics.com

Thank you, Kebco. I will follow up with your exporter if I have any obstacles once the process gets underway. Which will likely be a few months anyway.

Your welcome. This process is not always real fast, the last export took 5 months or so. The rifle was going to South Africa and it took them several months to issue a import permit and then our govt took several months to issue a export license. Les can give you a idea of current time frames.