Buying an action from USA
- Thread starter tikka2506
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Ronin
Distinguished Member
You will need an export licence from the Federal Authorities (circa 300 USD) and a Temporary US Licence issued by the ATF
When you get to the UK, it wont be a proofed item, so youll be in breach of UK firearms law,,,,
I wouldnt bother trying to arrange this yourself, pay someone with the necessary permits (US and UK side) then you know your safe.
When you get to the UK, it wont be a proofed item, so youll be in breach of UK firearms law,,,,
I wouldnt bother trying to arrange this yourself, pay someone with the necessary permits (US and UK side) then you know your safe.
if you have a slot on your ticket, you can bring a rifle back, no problem, no export license required, no duty, purchasing said rifle may be a problem, but if you have a friend who lives there then it would be ok. and before someone says this is not true, it was done last week
you are not breaking UK law unless you intend to sell the rifle, then you will need to get it proofed
you are not breaking UK law unless you intend to sell the rifle, then you will need to get it proofed
But you are breaking US federal law it is classed as a straw purchase for a US resident to buy firearms for somebody not entitled
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Ronin
Distinguished Member
Imported several actions myself and travelled extensively in various countries with firearms including the states.
Im really surprised the guy you know is still at liberty.
However, if its ok with the customs dept then it must be ok..
Time to stock up on Borden actions i think
Im really surprised the guy you know is still at liberty.
However, if its ok with the customs dept then it must be ok..
Time to stock up on Borden actions i think
Yes to both I did it exactly the same way as you.And when I was going to do it for a second time I was told to contact ATF which I did and was told by them it was totally illegal under federal law, if we did it and got caught it would be jail time and I would not be allowed back into the US in future.So yes I may get away with it again but I am not taking that chance.It is no problem this end and not illegal
Geordie
Bandit Country
Well-Known Member
And there was me thinking it was only UK based licensing authorities that made it up as they go along, left hand/right hand etc. I have no experience of importing stuff from the States but I would suggest you take note of anything that the ATF say. If you upset them they park a tank in your garden and then burn your house down!
The law is kind of vague with regards to a straw purchase. A convicted felon is not allowed to have a firearm so buying one for them is always a straw purchase. As a gift to an otherwise legally eligible family member residing in the same State, it usually flies. Same situation but physically handed over to a relative living in another State? Not so good. Some of the BATF guys I've been associated with in the past would give you a good scolding and tell you to go through a formal transfer at a dealer when you visited next. To a person from another country? Probably get a good deal more heat than you'd want. If someone in the US buys a foreign national a firearm and physically turns it over to them, I believe that violates a number of US laws... especially if that weapon is leaving the US. Even if it's leaving via exporter, it should be the actual buyer filling out the paperwork. It's hard to say though. Years ago I bought several rifles in Australia and only one, the Anschutz 22 Hornet ever went through an importer. The other two, a Martini Cadet in 25-20 and a Model 1892 Winchester in the same caliber,both cleared Customs and were shipped to my front door -the seller insisting that they did not fall under our Gun Control Act of 1968. Customs evidently agreed with him, but I'm not sure the BATF would. At least today in these times...~Muir
It's one thing to ponder and consider it as an idea but what are the potential gains and losses?.
On one side you have maybe got something unusual and saved a few quid.
On the other side you are maybe going to have to wear an orange jump suit,leg irons and handcuffs, face ruinous costs and loss of liberty for a long period even if found not guilty.
If found guilty then American prison sentences tend to have zero's on the end with no getting out halfway through your sentence like here.
If you do manage to make it to this side of the pond you'd have to run the gauntlet of HMRC guys who know little or nothing of firearms law and would be more inclined to play it safe than sorry re your item item and liberty.
On one side you have maybe got something unusual and saved a few quid.
On the other side you are maybe going to have to wear an orange jump suit,leg irons and handcuffs, face ruinous costs and loss of liberty for a long period even if found not guilty.
If found guilty then American prison sentences tend to have zero's on the end with no getting out halfway through your sentence like here.
If you do manage to make it to this side of the pond you'd have to run the gauntlet of HMRC guys who know little or nothing of firearms law and would be more inclined to play it safe than sorry re your item item and liberty.
Simjim33
Well-Known Member
You will need ATF form 9 completed and approved. Here is the link. http://www.atf.gov/files/forms/download/atf-f-5320-9.pdf
You will need to file this way ahead of your visit.
In the case where it asks who the exporter will be you will enter your details. If you read through the infomation on the bottom of the form you will note that approval of the application results to a permit to export. that should be all the legal requirements to satisfy the US LAW.
The above process is how it was described to me when I phoned the ATF to ask what I needed to do. Best thing to do is phone the field office of the state your going to and ASK them. They are human you know!
Now as to HMRC. you must go through the items to declare. If the rifle, action or whatever is brand new. You will be required to produce a receipt. You will be charged import duty and vat. (if the rifle is second hand and over 12 months old than you might get away with it. If you can produce a receipt stating the perchace price does NOT exceed your personal import allowance! And the date of perchace) You will also need a slot on your ticket for the componant or rifle being brought back.
HMRC will then enter the item on your certificate. But it is your look out to inform your constabulary of the perchace.
I don't see what all the hand ringing is about! You can import barrels from the US if you want. With the proper licence. It cost about $400.
As to the uk Proff coment. You only need prof marks if you sell the rifle on! A gunsmith needs to have a rifle proofed as he is SELLING you the rifle (even if you are providing the components) A rifle made in the comfort of your OWN workshop made by YOU, under authority of the certificate relating to the parts used. For your OWN use. Does not require Proff!
It is a good idea to get it done though, is it not?
You will need to file this way ahead of your visit.
In the case where it asks who the exporter will be you will enter your details. If you read through the infomation on the bottom of the form you will note that approval of the application results to a permit to export. that should be all the legal requirements to satisfy the US LAW.
The above process is how it was described to me when I phoned the ATF to ask what I needed to do. Best thing to do is phone the field office of the state your going to and ASK them. They are human you know!
Now as to HMRC. you must go through the items to declare. If the rifle, action or whatever is brand new. You will be required to produce a receipt. You will be charged import duty and vat. (if the rifle is second hand and over 12 months old than you might get away with it. If you can produce a receipt stating the perchace price does NOT exceed your personal import allowance! And the date of perchace) You will also need a slot on your ticket for the componant or rifle being brought back.
HMRC will then enter the item on your certificate. But it is your look out to inform your constabulary of the perchace.
I don't see what all the hand ringing is about! You can import barrels from the US if you want. With the proper licence. It cost about $400.
As to the uk Proff coment. You only need prof marks if you sell the rifle on! A gunsmith needs to have a rifle proofed as he is SELLING you the rifle (even if you are providing the components) A rifle made in the comfort of your OWN workshop made by YOU, under authority of the certificate relating to the parts used. For your OWN use. Does not require Proff!
It is a good idea to get it done though, is it not?
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pf hmrc were very helpfull with the rifle scopes and bow, no gauntlet to run if you don,t hide anything, or tax for that matter. a lot of scare mongering in your statement, I suggest the OP gets it on his ticket, and then contacts the ATF for advice which would give him the true facts not hear say.
Muir as you know transfer of guns is rarely recorded in the states among individuals. the laws are confused at the least, in Illinois you cannot by ammo if you are from Illinois without a firearms I d card, but if you say you are from out of state then you can buy without one ?. Just to clear one thing up, the rifle was not mine, but a member of our party, the bow ,torches, bbq sauce, clothing,knives and scopes were mine, all items exept the bow ( a bow is not a weapon) were inspected by US customs etc and UK customs, although UK customs seemed to be upset that I wanted them to look at my bow.
Muir as you know transfer of guns is rarely recorded in the states among individuals. the laws are confused at the least, in Illinois you cannot by ammo if you are from Illinois without a firearms I d card, but if you say you are from out of state then you can buy without one ?. Just to clear one thing up, the rifle was not mine, but a member of our party, the bow ,torches, bbq sauce, clothing,knives and scopes were mine, all items exept the bow ( a bow is not a weapon) were inspected by US customs etc and UK customs, although UK customs seemed to be upset that I wanted them to look at my bow.
Not scaremongering, just pointing out possible consequences.
Check out what happened to a couple of guys who innocently but stupidly took a couple of air rifle moderators to the States a few years ago.
Tangle with the U.S. law and the homeland security people at your peril.
As to hmrc, I wasn't suggesting hiding anything but I stand by what I said re your average hmrc at an airport, not an expert and caution goes with the job.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/3964709.Gun_arrest_pair_home_from_US/
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As the person who they were going to visit would have known that to own a moderator in the USA, you need a permit and a federal stamp, cost approx $500, what they did was a plane case of smuggling prohibited items, they did not declare declare them and actually attempted to conceal them. not a good idea.
Simjim33
Well-Known Member
Hardly the same thing. They tock what is most states a restricted item.
We use mods all the time here. But in the states you need a certificate and pay a tax each year.
Even though they are air rifle moderators. HS are not going to care! they are not known for a liberal attitude to things like that.
No wonder those men landed in trouble. Turn up in the US with any thing you have not the proper paper work for. You are asking for it.
Little Jon
Well-Known Member
The US laws vary form state to state (as in country to country) they just have s different terminology to whats what . It can be done. We can do it from Europe with ease, but pointless .
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