Personal import of second hand rifle action from US

[desmodronic]

Hi, might be wrong section but I would like to ask for some advice:

Thinking about purchasing a 2nd hand rifle action and getting it shipped to a family member in US who also happens to be a US citizen.

The question: How would I then go about importing it from US to the UK?

Hoping to get some constructive suggestions / ideas

 

[Heym SR20]

There are a number of gun dealers that export and import guns to and from the US. Mostly they deal in fine guns, and tend to send them in batches as it pretty much costs the same to send 1 gun as it does a crate full. The Gun Shop YouTube channel did a video on shipping a gun to the US.

I am assuming you want to send the action to the US so as to have a custom rifle built over there. Personally I would ask whoever over there to source an action in the US and start from that.

However, I gather that it is becoming increasingly difficult to move anything in or out of the US. With all the cuts to federal employees and the constant changes in Tarriffs etc etc nobody has a clue as to what colour pen and font you have to use to fill out the paperwork required and how to beat the AI bots that will then scrutinise in case you might have used the wrong language.

 

[Jagged77]

Hi, might be wrong section but I would like to ask for some advice:

Thinking about purchasing a 2nd hand rifle action and getting it shipped to a family member in US who also happens to be a US citizen.

The question: How would I then go about importing it from US to the UK?

Hoping to get some constructive suggestions / ideas

The issue you have is that a rifle action is, to my knowledge a restricted part requiring export approval. It would need to be properly exported from the US to the UK. You could get the action shipped to a rifle builder and get the whole thing built over in the US, then get someone like Reloading International to export it to an RFD here that they deal with.

 

[HonestJohn]

And if it’s a highly prized Oberndorf Mauser or similar, they’re no longer allowed to be shipped into the US with the thumb slot, so only commercials with the full straight LHS wall.

You have to share which action and why worth the effort, because I can’t for the life of me think of anything that’s so special it’s not available on either side of the pond if you look hard enough. Except for maybe a Heeren action system or similar unique piece.

 

[desmodronic]

Apologies all, I need to re-phrase my original question for clarification and to avoid confusion, so lets start again:

My brother in the states, a US citizen, has been offered a second hand barely used high quality competition spec action and barrel at a great price (even in US) and suggested that I should consider purchasing as the cost would be substantially less than in the UK.
For info. I do not need a US rifle build as I already have enough parts to complete the build at home, for future personal use only.

So I am looking at whether it would be practical, financially and legally feasible for me to import these components.

I am aware that it is probably going to be logistically difficult, so I hope someone out there has some experience, knowledge or contacts they can share.

 

[fixedwheel]

Could you not get enough cheap, basic, used parts on it to complete it as a rifle?

Then on your next visit you could personally bring it back, as long as you have the spare slot, declare it at customs and get it added to your ticket then?

Then change over to the nice trigger / stock etc when it is in the UK

 

[desmodronic]

Could you not get enough cheap, basic, used parts on it to complete it as a rifle?

Then on your next visit you could personally bring it back, as long as you have the spare slot, declare it at customs and get it added to your ticket then?

Then change over to the nice trigger / stock etc when it is in the UK

I guess that could be one option.
But (without any knowledge on this subject) is it really that much more difficult to import just an action and matched barrel, rather than a complete rifle?

 

[fixedwheel]

I guess that could be one option.
But (without any knowledge on this subject) is it really that much more difficult to import just an action and matched barrel, rather than a complete rifle?

Most of the talks on import / export seems to be on fine shotguns, and the service priced accordingly.

Bear in mind that the importer would probably insist on sending it to one of the Proof Houses as well, something you wouldn't have to do if you imported yourself, only if you chose to sell it does it have to be proofed.

If it is a 700 sized action, I reckon a cheap nasty stock and trigger just makes it easier to do as a personal import as a complete rifle.

I looked at doing a personal import from Germany, the UK side was the easy bit, just stop at the Customs red channel, declare it, pay fees and add it onto FAC in the spare slot. The prob was getting the authority for the retailer to release it to me, and having the authority to possess, whilst getting it to the airport.

 

[desmodronic]

Most of the talks on import / export seems to be on fine shotguns, and the service priced accordingly.

Bear in mind that the importer would probably insist on sending it to one of the Proof Houses as well, something you wouldn't have to do if you imported yourself, only if you chose to sell it does it have to be proofed.

If it is a 700 sized action, I reckon a cheap nasty stock and trigger just makes it easier to do as a personal import as a complete rifle.

I looked at doing a personal import from Germany, the UK side was the easy bit, just stop at the Customs red channel, declare it, pay fees and add it onto FAC in the spare slot. The prob was getting the authority for the retailer to release it to me, and having the authority to possess, whilst getting it to the airport.

Thanks,
If I were to consider the complete rifle option: yes it is a 700 SA action, and I can probably find a cheap stock and trigger to assemble as a complete rifle for personal import.
As I would be assembling and collecting from my brother's stateside, next step to consider I guess is possesion at the airport prior to departure?

 

[fixedwheel]

Thanks,
If I were to consider the complete rifle option: yes it is a 700 SA action, and I can probably find a cheap stock and trigger to assemble as a complete rifle for personal import.
As I would be assembling and collecting from my brother's stateside, next step to consider I guess is possesion at the airport prior to departure?

Yep, although I wonder if he can be of use there, if he is dropping you off for your flight?

And a tatty, but sentimental, rifle probably valued sensibly at Customs.

 

[desmodronic]

Yep, although I wonder if he can be of use there, if he is dropping you off for your flight?

And a tatty, but sentimental, rifle probably valued sensibly at Customs.

I guess he could indeed drop me off for flight and accompany me to the baggage drop

 

[HonestJohn]

It would have to be something special to be worth it, done a few US to UK rifle imports back in the day, ball ache. Never again

 

[LeftHandGuy]

@desmodronic I am *slightly* confused as to the exact sequence of actions you are looking to follow.

I think that your brother is going to acquire a rifle action for you in the US, and you will then collect it from him during a personal visit?

To the best of my knowledge, so long as you have the slot on your FAC and your brother as the seller enters the transfer onto it, as with any other private sale, then you are good as far as the UK side of things is concerned. In most, maybe all, of the US you don't need any sort of license or permit. Even states like New Jersey that have very restrictive firearms laws I don't think would have any problem with you transiting with a sporting rifle.

There may be some caveats around the state your brother lives in (in that there may be rules around private sales that are state specific). And I would definitely assemble it as a complete rifle, as officials at with end of the journey may want to look at it and will find it much easier to tick-a-box and move on if it looks like what they expect it to look like. If you already have parts like a stock, you can always take it with you. They aren't regulated either side of the Atlantic AFAIK.

If you're making a trip just to buy the rifle, it's probably not worth it financially, but if you're seeing your brother anyway then it could be a decent coda.

 

[Jagged77]

I think the US has tightened up on the exporting of firearms - any leaving the country even on a temporary basis are subject to export controls. I’ll happily stand corrected if this isn’t the case but I really wouldn’t want to tangle with US border officials if you weren’t 100% clear on the regulations.

I brought an MDT stock back from Canada recently plus some brass. On collecting my luggage I’d found it had been opened and a note left inside saying they’d searched for potentially restricted items - all good in my case but shows they do check. I wouldn’t attempt to bring anything back if wasn’t totally sure I could.

 

[HonestJohn]

Get caught with something you didn’t know was restricted on the US side, and you’re in an orange jumpsuit. Know the rules, even seek legal advice with your shooting organisation

 

[cjm1066]

Export Restrictions | Remington

The first paragraph give you some links to the relevant legislation for further investigation.

The second is their commercial issues.

I fail to see how adding a barrel adds anything, lots of custom action are imported without barrels - our Police licensing personal are used to owners of certain meccano rifles having different numbers of actions, bolts and barrels that they assemble at will.

 

[desmodronic]

Get caught with something you didn’t know was restricted on the US side, and you’re in an orange jumpsuit. Know the rules, even seek legal advice with your shooting organisation

Thanks for your feedback.
Don't worry I am aware of US border rules on the transport of restricted items and therefore planning on following the correct procedure at all times.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

I fail to see how adding a barrel adds anything, lots of custom action are imported without barrels - our Police licensing personal are used to owners of certain meccano rifles having different numbers of actions, bolts and barrels that they assemble at will.

You may be correct, legally speaking, but I believe that the barrel is already fitted to the action that the OP is contemplating. In addition, airports (even British ones) are actually pretty used to passengers turning up with firearms, US ones even more so, turning up at the airport with a rifle that matches your FAC is almost certainly the safest thing to do in terms of getting moved-on through the system with minimum friction.

@desmodronic what state does your brother live in? If you can get a non-resident hunting license you'll raise even fewer questions - plus it's just a great opportunity to try something a bit different to UK deer stalking. In many states it establishes or reinforces your right to acquire and possess firearms and ammunition so long as you are in the country legally (including being on an ESTA).

Good luck however you decide to play it.

 

[desmodronic]

You may be correct, legally speaking, but I believe that the barrel is already fitted to the action that the OP is contemplating. In addition, airports (even British ones) are actually pretty used to passengers turning up with firearms, US ones even more so, turning up at the airport with a rifle that matches your FAC is almost certainly the safest thing to do in terms of getting moved-on through the system with minimum friction.

@desmodronic what state does your brother live in? If you can get a non-resident hunting license you'll raise even fewer questions - plus it's just a great opportunity to try something a bit different to UK deer stalking. In many states it establishes or reinforces your right to acquire and possess firearms and ammunition so long as you are in the country legally (including being on an ESTA).

Good luck however you decide to play it.

My brother lives in New York state, and yes I could indeed apply for non-resident hunting licence (would be rather interesting I agree), but not sure how much this would actually help with the export logistics.
So, I am currently in contact with ECDOEXS is the US and awaiting full clarification on the necessary procedures to ensure compliance

 

[LeftHandGuy]

My brother lives in New York state, and yes I could indeed apply for non-resident hunting licence (would be rather interesting I agree), but not sure how much this would actually help with the export logistics.

The main thing it would do is establish your right (Federally Recognized) to acquire and possess the rifle - it would also protect your brother in the (highly unlikely) event any questions were ever asked of him.

May aliens legally in the United States purchase firearms? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

An alien legally in the U.S. is not prohibited from purchasing firearms unless the alien is admitted into the U.S. under a nonimmigrant visa and does not meet one of the exceptions as provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2), such as possession of a valid hunting license or permit. [18 U.S.C. 922 (d)(5)...

www.atf.gov

So, I am currently in contact with ECDOEXS is the US and awaiting full clarification on the necessary procedures to ensure compliance

I am not 100% sure so you are right to check - but my understanding is that though regulated, a one-off export of a demonstrably "sporting" (non military) firearm from the U.S. on a non-commercial basis, is exempted from the requirement for an export license when you are transporting it as part of your personal baggage:

EAR | Bureau of Industry and Security

Website of the United States Bureau of Industry and Security

www.bis.gov

The wording is ambiguous - I don't know what they'll come back to you with, but I would be interested.