The Accurate Reloading Forums
Importing a Double Rifle
04 August 2010, 17:41
BigBBearImporting a Double Rifle
Hope someone has had experience at this. I am looking at buying a rifle in the UK and bringing to the US. The dealer can sell to an importer here and then I can have shipped to my FFL but I am in the UK quite a bit and could take my tuffpak over empty and bring the gun back. How would I get permits, duties paid, etc. Anyone done this? Ok to PM me if you want as well.
Thanks,
Larry
York, SC
04 August 2010, 20:20
new_guyLarry - It's not quite as easy as it sounds, and it's a bit too risky.
In theory, it's sort of possible, but the importer would need to employ a customs broker, and the customs broker would need to meet you at the airport with a customs agent that knew what was going on in advance.
The customs broker would have to take posession of the rifle and then the importer (FFL holder) would have to pick it up from them and transfer it to you... b/c he's the one authorised by the ATF to actually import it... not you as an individual.
Moreover, you can't personally take posession of it in the UK without a UK firearms license. The dealer there could ship it for you (through the appropriate parties), but he can't just hand it over the counter to you.
Without a permit, you can't even buy a box of shotgun shells in the UK!
04 August 2010, 20:44
CCMDocquote:
Originally posted by new_guy:
Larry - It's not quite as easy as it sounds, and it's a bit too risky.
In theory, it's sort of possible, but the importer would need to employ a customs broker, and the customs broker would need to meet you at the airport with a customs agent that knew what was going on in advance.
The customs broker would have to take posession of the rifle and then the importer (FFL holder) would have to pick it up from them and transfer it to you... b/c he's the one authorised by the ATF to actually import it... not you as an individual.
Moreover, you can't personally take posession of it in the UK without a UK firearms license. The dealer there could ship it for you (through the appropriate parties), but he can't just hand it over the counter to you.
Without a permit, you can't even buy a box of shotgun shells in the UK!
Sounds like New Jersey
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
04 August 2010, 20:54
MacD37quote:
Originally posted by CCMDoc:
quote:
Originally posted by new_guy:
Larry - It's not quite as easy as it sounds, and it's a bit too risky.
In theory, it's sort of possible, but the importer would need to employ a customs broker, and the customs broker would need to meet you at the airport with a customs agent that knew what was going on in advance.
The customs broker would have to take posession of the rifle and then the importer (FFL holder) would have to pick it up from them and transfer it to you... b/c he's the one authorised by the ATF to actually import it... not you as an individual.
Moreover, you can't personally take posession of it in the UK without a UK firearms license. The dealer there could ship it for you (through the appropriate parties), but he can't just hand it over the counter to you.
Without a permit, you can't even buy a box of shotgun shells in the UK!
Sounds like New Jersey
You are right! I think every state east of the mississippi river is still an British colony, and the people are treated like subjects, not free citizens!
....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982
Hands of Old Elmer Keith
04 August 2010, 21:21
jeffeossocan import, via importer, can NOT bring back, legally, as you have described
04 August 2010, 22:34
CCMDocquote:
Originally posted by MacD37:
You are right! I think every state east of the mississippi river is still an British colony, and the people are treated like subjects, not free citizens!
That's why Robgunbuilder escaped NJ years ago.
Biebs, BigFiveJack and I are next ...
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
05 August 2010, 09:52
N E 450 No2I would contact a dealer here in the US that does importing, and have him handle the deal.
The rules may have changed but I do that several years any FFL dealer could do an import on a "Form 6" if I remember the number correctly.
DOUBLE RIFLE SHOOTERS SOCIETY
05 August 2010, 17:47
BiebsI checked on a rifle that was on auction in the UK, and talked with Griffin & Howe. They obviously do this frequently with the level of guns they handle and service. It looks like it's about $1,000 give or take to have someone do it, but they are set up for such import. Paul Chapman at (908)766-2287 can direct you to their person.
05 August 2010, 18:18
new_guyquote:
Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
... any FFL dealer could do an import on a "Form 6" if I remember the number correctly.
That's correct. An 01 dealer can still import a firearm occassionally. Most that I've talked to don't want to because they don't know how and don't want to know how, but they can legally do it for you.
05 August 2010, 19:28
BiebsI don't know if the same differences apply to import vs export, but I found out when I was looking into it that Shotguns being sent abroad require much less hassle than rifles. I guess the US Government wants to control the distribution of rifles like the 50 BMG and such that could be used by some "no-gooders" abroad. The Dept of State issues the permits for rifle exports, but not sure if that has any bearing on imports.
06 August 2010, 18:29
Cane RatWhen I had an FFL years ago I imported several rifles, wasn't a big deal, but as has already been mentioned a dealer has to do it and he must know what he is doing. Sadly, it seems that many dealers are pretty ignorant of the ATF's rules even though most of the rules are pretty simple.
07 August 2010, 00:41
Magnolia SlimYou are right! I think every state east of the mississippi river is still an British colony, and the people are treated like subjects, not free citizens!
Can't speak for EVERY state east of the big river but in Ms., we don't cotton to being called subjects so it ain't difficult buying things used to protect your life and limb. Seems like there was a war over states rights back yonder somewhere.
"This ain't Dodge City and you ain't Bill Hickok. "
25 August 2010, 23:53
luvtoreloadGet a hold of William Larkin Moore in Scottsdale, AZ and pay him to bring the gun in for you. They are old hands at this and import from all over the world. He has a website under his name.
26 August 2010, 17:35
Hasherquote:
Originally posted by mdstewart:
Are you hunting while in the UK? If so, you can have your guide/stalker pre-register this gun on the required documents, then simply bring it back with you as if you had taken it over there to use on a hunt. Talk with your stalker, he may accomodate you on this if your relationship is good.
This is absolutly INCORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To do this would make youa FELON.
It MUST be imported on an ATF Form 6.
DRSS
Kreighoff 470 NE
Valmet 412 30/06 & 9.3x74R
26 August 2010, 17:42
BigBBearThanks for all advice. Have made a decison a while back to have Westley Richards import for me. Seems the cleanest way.
Larry
York, SC
26 August 2010, 17:44
peterdkquote:
Originally posted by Hasher:
quote:
Originally posted by mdstewart:
Are you hunting while in the UK? If so, you can have your guide/stalker pre-register this gun on the required documents, then simply bring it back with you as if you had taken it over there to use on a hunt. Talk with your stalker, he may accomodate you on this if your relationship is good.
This is absolutly INCORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To do this would make youa FELON.
It MUST be imported on an ATF Form 6.
+ 1
27 August 2010, 05:03
500Nquote:
Originally posted by Hasher:
quote:
Originally posted by mdstewart:
Are you hunting while in the UK? If so, you can have your guide/stalker pre-register this gun on the required documents, then simply bring it back with you as if you had taken it over there to use on a hunt. Talk with your stalker, he may accomodate you on this if your relationship is good.
This is absolutly INCORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To do this would make youa FELON.
It MUST be imported on an ATF Form 6.
Yes, well some people just don't worry about those things and suffer the consequences later.
Spoke with a guy a few weeks back who got busted for illegally exporting / importing firearms and parts from the US. His comment was
"Yes, they put people in jail for things like that" !!!.
He spent 6 years, yes 6 years in a US jail and was then thrown out of the US under escort - and that was before they clamped down / were more vigilant like they are now.
I would not stuff around with US laws on firearms, export / import.
.
29 August 2010, 12:20
VetaikaranThe US laws and interpretations are very strict. They do not make any allowance for "a nice guy who made a silly mistake". A NZ gun dealer got nailed a couple of years ago & spent time in prison & probably will never be able to enter the us or deal in firearms there again. He was from a well reputed gun shop here in NZ but an error in procedures (not followed correctly) got him in real BIG trouble though he had a long clean track record!
