Bringing a Stock into UK from USA

[BallisticPrimate]

G'day all,

I'm currently in the USA where I have purchased a second hand Manners rifle stock. The Stock comes with the Manners mini chassis and built in detachable bottom metal.

Can I legally bring the stock back into the UK in my check in luggage? I searched the forums and can't find a definitive answer. I have no problem declaring the stock when I arrive in the UK and paying any import taxes, I just want to be sure that I'm legally able to bring the stock back with me without first obtaining paperwork of some kind.

Thank you
BP

 

[olliehopes]

The short answer is yes. Albeit if questioned you will have to say it is machined components.

No need to pay import taxes on a second hand item.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I often travel between the US and UK with accessory items. As you comment this has to go in checked baggage. The less said the better, as the use of the words like, gun, rifle etc. bring the wrong focus from most people who work in the travel industry. You don't need to make any statement at check in as you have no controlled parts you only have an accessory. I would not declare the item on return to the UK as I assume the value is less than the £390 duty free limit that each traveler has. In the event you were stopped by security staff / customs in the UK it would likely be either random check or because your bag was x-rayed while in the baggage system and flagged with a suspicious item. They will certainly ask you about what you have in your bag and what you have purchased while traveling before actually opening your bag, if this happens you need to be forthright in sharing what you have and that you are traveling with no controlled items and with goods within your duty free limit. Having your FAC is useful to show that you are a legal gun owner and that you have purchased a used non controlled accessory for a valid reason.

Over the years I have imported so many rifles, traveled back and forth with firearms, ammunition and lots of accessories. I've often voluntarily taken myself to the red channel with things like center fire ammunition and to be honest they never seem very interested unless you have a firearm or a controlled part like a barrel. If importing a firearm, ammunition or a controlled parts for personal use, you obviously need your FAC with open variations and authority to purchase ammunition. I always notify my firearms admin department in the following 24 hours to let them know that I have made a personal import.

Good luck with your travels.

 

[tim@tcs]

The less said the better, as the use of the words like, gun, rifle etc

The airline check in staff faces in Orlando when I brought back a big double gun case I’d bought on our first family holiday!
I used it to bring the wet towels we had used after a day by the pool!
Yes they checked and looked relieved that I was being honest!
At Gatwick not a blink!

 

[BallisticPrimate]

Thank you very much for all the replies.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I’ll see what the airline staff have to say in a few weeks when I have to show them what I just packed, my son and I are both traveling with a .375 H&H and .300 Win Mag each for buffalo and plains game in S. Africa. I always feel uneasy announcing “we have firearms “ no matter how many trips you take!

 

[BallisticPrimate]

I’ll see what the airline staff have to say in a few weeks when I have to show them what I just packed, my son and I are both traveling with a .375 H&H and .300 Win Mag each for buffalo and plains game in S. Africa. I always feel uneasy announcing “we have firearms “ no matter how many trips you take!

Good luck on your safari. I've hunted the Thabazimbi area a few places in KwaZulu-Natal. There is nothing like Africa.

 

[Sweep]

Now that looks like sensible luggage UpNorth MI

 

[BallisticPrimate]

Thought I should update this thread. I put the stock in my check in luggage and there were no issues bringing it into the UK from the US.

 

[Nick-St]

When we last went through they X-Rayed the cases...

 

[Sweep]

It got through with ammo in the same case. Surprised?

 

[Nick-St]

Different calibre ammo from the firearms in the case...

Although on another trip the Virgin staff insisted the ammo had to be in the same cases as the rifles (which they weren't). We changed everything around to put the ammo in and off they went. Later we got a call to say the ammo couldn't be in the same case - which was now effectively not accessible to us to change as it had gone through security and we only had hand luggage bags! They had to bring the cases to the staff entrance for the secure area, we then had to stand on the line on the floor separating secure from not secure areas and repack the cases. Luckily the rifles were AR15s so the uppers and ammo could be in the same bag, and the lowers could be in another case! It was a bit of a saga to say the least!!

 

[Sweep]

That sounds about right; a set of rules to blindly follow without any actual understanding of what is written down.