Hi,
Does anyone have some first hand knowledge regarding importing of rifles from US. I am sure that a detailed info would be much appreciated by those of us who are fed up with monopolistic pricing tactics of our wholesalers. It has been suggested before that local dealers are making 4.5-6% on new guns. I’m more than happy to pay one of the smaller dealers say $100, on top of the shipping charges plus duty and GST, if he was willing to act as my “receiving agentâ€.
Cheers

A USA broker costs between US$200 to US$300 to organise the USA documentation and shipment.

So if it is one rifle, you have to make sure it is worth it.

Got a rifle sitting at customs at the moment.

Nitro
They sound like good prices, who did you use?

Recently I'm told the export license in the US went from 150 to 1200 a year(may or maynot be true)
Simpson who did the export of my 1886 early last year charged 200usd plus postage 70usd
now if you didn't buy the gun from them they will charge 10% on top of gun cost. So lets say you pay $600USD incl shipping in the USA, for a rifle thats 660usd plus 250usd plus 70usd $8600usd
it gets to Aust, custom stop it(being a firearm this is gauranteed) todays approx exchange rate .76 = 1131AUD + 10%GST = $1244 AUD
would expect this process to take min 3 months because the exporter has to get export permit 6 plus weeks, they also need an import permit original from Australia (this means you). Also the transfer has to go through a dealer once you get it here(in Vic) was easier to get a dealer to do the paperwork through customs another $100.

Griffin & Howe were charging 500usd plus costs.

So T3 if you can buy the rifle in Aust it usually works out the same without the headaches. Would only suggest importing for rifles unavailable here.

Simpsons site says they will no longer export firearms not sold by them but a while ago another poster said they would for 10% on top of the purchase price, I have not confirmered this.


Simpsons

Griffin & Howe

This is a link posted in another thread by another poster.

weareguns

I think Hallowell are a percentage but with a minimum of $100US and a maximum of $200US.

I think PC paid about $200 to bring in some sort of lever action.

As a by the way, a mate of mine is a fanatic on different projectiles and has brought a lot of stuff in from Huntingtons and they are breaking the orders up to be under $100US.

Mike

I may get 3 or 4 rifles to spread the cost...

T3
I have been in touch with a Richard Feinberg
at weareguns@netscape.net who does export from USA on small consignments.
Richard charges $200USD plus shipping of $270USD by Fed Ex to Australia. Note US Postal service maximum parcel lenght is 36".
So minmum $470USD plus shipping within USA and customs charges once here.

Mike
PC used the same place I did with the same charges 200 plus freight, but Simpsons have since changed their policy. The freight was some form of airmail, the rifles had the butt stock removed and we didn't get the boxes(factory), this was to ship under 36".

I import on a regular basis from USA and basics are this-
$USD200 exporters fee up to 4 guns
$USD80 air mail
10%GST on value of rifle and freight
some small Quaratine/Airport charges
Australian Gundealers charge

If you need help importing please PM and I can import for you. I am a Licenced Firearm Dealer in Victoria. Thanks

Steve

The easier and cheaper way is to find a hunter doing a safari down under and ask them to bring one down for uou. I have done this on several occasions. All totally legal in NZ, I'm not sure of the rules in Ozzie.

If a foreign hunter brings a rifle in with him it has to return back out with him. It will probably be flagged for when he exits.

Not sure if an individual can bring one in and then surrender it to customs and then them process it? Customs will certainly take it for checking the trigger and safety etc plus correct import documentation and police permits which often have a waiting period.

Considering moving to South Australia from the U.S. (will be on a spouse visa). I am seeking information and opinions on the rules/regulations/requirement on importing rifles and shotguns under these circumstances.

Any help on web sites contacts etc. is most appreciated

Kind regards
Carl

You can get a temporary firearms permit from South Australian Police but if you are staying permanently you will have to apply for a South Australian Shooting licence. I suggest you bring them with you as part of your personal luggage on a temporary or visitors licence get this before you come to Australia so as to clear customs and it would be cheaper than bringing them in at a later date as it is more involved and expensive. Once you have them in South Australia apply for Shooting Licence and if visitors licence about to run out just store them at a gundealer till you get your licence.

Steve

Carl

I reside in south Australia and would be happy to help you. Send me a PM if you wish. I'll give the Firearms branch a call as I need to ask them about something anyway and see what they recommend.

What sort of firearms do you plan to bring? Semi-auto firearms and pump action shotguns are very difficult to get licenced. Pistols you will need to join a pistol target shooting club and a pistol licence.

You will need to do a short course and practical test to get a firearms licence and these are not hard to get. When "acquiring" a firearm there is a 28 day waiting period and I assume this may apply to you (??) as well after you get your licence.

I am pretty sure a local firearms dealer will store your firearms for you especially if you buy things from them . They may charge a fee I don't know. I can recommend one to contact.

As for making use of a temporary visitors permit, it sounds like a good idea but I will check for any snags or problems in doing it this way. Normally the police and customs expect the firearm to be re-exported if you bring them in this way AND it is recorded.

If you do come down here, contact me and we will meet up.

cjw
try this link
SSAA - S.A. branch

All,

Thanks for replies and information, this will start me on my way.

NitroX,

I just missed you; I spent the Christmas holidays in Adelaide with my future in-laws. This was my second trip to Australia, had a wonderful time. During the first trip we wine tasted in the Barossa (looks like that is home for you), this past trip it was the Coonawarra (Bowen Estates Shiraz is now my new favorite).

We are considering moving to Australia sometime in the second half of 05 or the first half of 06. As you can imagine there is a whole heap of things to work out. One of keen interest to me is the firearms issue. I have quite an array of rifles, shotguns and pistols, however I would like to bring two bolt action rifles and an O/U shotgun, no pistols, semi-auto or pump action.

Any information you could pass along would be most appreciated.

Kind regards
Carl

Had a chat with the Firearms Branch this morning.

If you enter under a visitors permit with firearms you need a departure date and if they think you are coming as a permanent resident they will not issue one. I think the idea is you might have some difficulties if you go this route as you will have bypassed customs and also made various false statements etc .......

They advised the best option is to leave the firearms home until you get an SA firearms licence. Then apply for a permit to buy approximately the same time firearms are sent from the USA. Detail on the permit to buy the firearms are already yours in the USA and you will be importing them. I can give you the name of the police officer to send the permits applications to. The permits to acquire will be arranged and there is a 28 day waiting period. The Firearms Branch will also organise a B709A importation permit.

Customs wil seize your firearms on entry and test the trigger and safety etc. I am unsure of any tax issues as these would be own household goods. If importing as a purchase as a minimum 10% is required however it MAY not apply to your pre-owned goods. When you get the permit to acquire and customs gets the B709A you can collect your imported firearms.

You will need to satisfy safe storage requirements as well for storing the firearms.

This was the police comments. There may be other ways that they prefer less but are still legal however I can not answer them. It maybe a dealer could arrange importation but tax will then be payable on importation and they will want fees etc.

Good luck.

NitroX,

Thanks so much for the information. I'll keep this one on file for future use. Hope to see you in OZ in the not so distant future.

Kind regards, be well and shoot safe
Carl

John,
The advice the Police gave is as they see it but the main problem is Customs if carl arrives in OZ with firearms and no licence they will destroy them in 28 days so he has get a Gundealer to pick them up and that costs or Customs will hold beyond 28 days if he can prove he is attempting to get a licence but a Gundealer can only pick them up unless the Police issue a letter or the B709 import permit is marked "Personal Effects" thus no 10%GST but he has to prove he has owned them for a period of time.

I still would get a visitors licence to bring them in and keep them at Gundealers until Carl can get his normal licence because it is cheaper and more convenient and legal.

Steve