Import from Germany

[bowji john]

I am the latest to join the hopeless merry-go-round that seems to typify trying to buy a rifle direct from a German dealer

Said German dealer indicates he needs to raise an export permit from German officials - price 90 Euros - fine

From me he wants an 'import license' - what is this import license I ask - Germanic shrug

Talk to D & C firearms dept an they send me a link to Import Licensing Branch - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/464218/Notice-to-importers-2871-import-licensing-arrangements-firearms-and-ammunition-2015.pdf

Reading through that finally get me to emailing Import Licensing Branch direct - enquiries.ilb@bis.gsi.gov.uk

They respond with.....

You will need, in addition to your suitably conditioned Firearms Certificate, a transfer licence issued by the German Authorities in line with Directive 91/477/EEC. The exporter must obtain the transfer licence from their issuing authority and once issued the transfer licence must accompany the firearm to the UK.

I have attached Notice to Importers 2871 which references this on .22 on page 3.

Please note that Notice 2875 references a change to import controls for deactivated firearms. A new main Notice referencing the changes detailed in 2875 will be issued shortly to replace 2871.

Regards

I now think I'm doing well - no mention of a UK import license - doesn't exist - all that's needed is relevant slot on FAC

Worried though about the term ''Transfer licence'' - German dealer talks about ''Export License''

Back to inquiries at the Import Licensing Branch - they respond quickly but with the unclear response......

It isn’t that an import licence doesn’t exist. There are differing requirements depending upon the type of firearm and whether they are being imported from a non-EU country or being transferred from another EU Member State. We must be contacted prior to attempting to transfer if the German authorities are not issuing a transfer licence in line with Directive 91/477/EEC.

Please note that a transfer licence and export licence are not necessarily the same thing. I cannot advise on whether there is an export licensing requirement in Germany in addition to the transfer licence requirement.

Regards

Hmmm - not quite what I hoped for in terms of clarity - still, from my end all I need in FAC (right?)

Send entire transcript to Dealer in Germany with offer to send scanned copy of FAC

Germanic shrug

 

[Orion]

Hmmm - not quite what I hoped for in terms of clarity - still, from my end all I need in FAC (right?)

Send entire transcript to Dealer in Germany with offer to send scanned copy of FAC

Yes, you're doing it right. You must send a copy/scan of your FAC with the vacant slot on it, otherwise they may keep badgering you for the mythical UK 'import licence'! A copy of your passport won't go amiss either. Sling as many copies of our requirements and letters from the Dept BIS at them as you can. What your seller is referring to as an 'export licence' will be the 'transfer licence', although 90 euros seems a bit steep (I was quoted less than half that, although they were a big outfit).

Good luck with it and what goodie is coming your way?

 

[bowji john]

Thanks Orion

Tis a lonely process so a 'pat on the back' from you helps loads

Blaser R8 Prof Success 6.5 x 55

With a fair wind and a bit of luck

j

 

[bowji john]

Orion

What outfit did you use? - might have more luck with them

 

[deeangeo]

Thanks Orion Tis a lonely process so a 'pat on the back' from you helps loads Blaser R8 Prof Success 6.5 x 55 With a fair wind and a bit of luck j

The next difficulty is getting a carrier to shift it. Firearms are on their tabboo 'must not carry' list...still, as German/Austrian firearms come to UK all the time, you'd expect there must be a carrier will do this....errrr not easily found!
Good luck.

 

[Kalahari]

When I was looking into this Pinemarten was very helpful. He had used William Evans and they had done all the work for what I thought was a very reasonable price. Certainly worth the peace of mind. Unfortunately following my catastropic computer belly up I no longer have the email. Might be worth sending him a PM.

David.

 

[Pine Marten]

He did, and I think I may have managed to drag him this far into the mess, if not out the other end!

However as Orion says, he's actually doing it right. Now it's down to persuasion...

 

[bowji john]

Thanks Guys - and thanks again Pinemartin

Pity there is no magic pill with this one

I'll keep on pluggin away

J

 

[Bell308]

your on the right track,, just remember to have it sent to a friendly RFD to put it on ticket, recently went through this to import from Denmark!!

 

[Orion]

your on the right track,, just remember to have it sent to a friendly RFD to put it on ticket, recently went through this to import from Denmark!!

No requirement to have a UK RFD involved. The firearm can be sent direct from the EU seller to your door.

 

[Bell308]

I may well stand corrected but how do offshore dealers stand with informing the FLO? I had mine sent to an RFD without a problem, which is what customs asked me to do!!

ill look into it as it could save a few quid on future purchases... cheers Orion.

 

[Orion]

AFAIK it's a condition of the transfer licence that the seller will have already informed the relevant authority in the UK - the Home Office - so they'll have no interest in informing your FLD. This is mentioned in the Firearms section of the UK Border Force manual.

It should be cleared through UK Border Force/Customs who will liaise with the licensing system to check that you have authority to possess - sounds as if your customs people were looking for an easy option? On delivery be guided by your FLD if they want to check details and enter it, or authorise you to do so, once you inform them in writing that you have it in your grubby hands.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

I believe Hermes do the ammo/gun transports for my gun shop pal here in Germany,

 

[EMcC]

Thanks Orion Tis a lonely process so a 'pat on the back' from you helps loads Blaser R8 Prof Success 6.5 x 55 With a fair wind and a bit of luck j

I have just ordered the same model in .243 with a fluted barrel and wooden thumbhole stock, ordered yesterday and told today delivery will not be until August !!
I hope you get yours sorted and delivered before then, good luck.
It would be interesting to compare prices with what you are paying and what I am here in UK

 

[Deermanagement]

No import permits for shotguns and I assume firearms. Have in the past had serial numbers entered onto certificate, traveled to Italy, collect direct from manufacturer and bring back into the UK where customs will see that it checks out with the serial number on your certificate. Have a serial number for a gun sat in Italy on my certificate at the moment and the gun will not be picked up for a another month or two. For Italy, a copy of your EFP is all that is required for the appropriate export permit to be raised, the EFP will be checked when you leave and the UK cert will be looked at when you arrive.
If it can be tied in with a trip all the better but there are some cheap flight to be had and it's always nice to see outfitters and hunting shops in other countries, especially the likes of Germany/Austria

 

[bowji john]

Further to this story

Germans insist on an import document of the type shown here

Import Licensing Branch in UK have never heard of it

Fire arms Dept at Devon and Cornwall never heard of it

Fed up now!

 

[devon deer stalker]

Reading through that form, and i am far from an expert, but it reads like an export form that the German side should complete, or am i not seeing something?

Keep at it, i wish i had looked into this, you could save yourself a serious amount of money!

Cheers

Richard

 

[bowji john]

Yeh Richard you are right

It is the kind of form that The Import Licensing Branch told me that the Germans should raise

Perhaps the germans sent it to me as an example of the type of thing they needed rather than an exact doc

It is difficult when the emails are a google translation each way!

 

[bowji john]

For those who have not died of boredom about this topic.....

This from The Import Licensing Branch.....

John

The UK has never completed this form. The UK’s prior consent is an import licence issued by this branch and our prior consent is not required for a section 1 non-prohibited rifle that can be held on a Firearms Certificate.

The UK notified all other EU Member States of those firearms that can be transferred without its prior consent when the Directive came into force. The German authorities should not be asking for our prior consent when they have already been instructed that it is not required. The Home Office in the UK will have distributed this information to the Bundeskriminalamt in Germany and all other relevant organisations in other EU Member States.

Please forward this email along with the attached letter.

Regards

Attachment I hope helps people

 

[s.stimson]

I have been keeping an eye on this thread and i would have to ask, how much do you think you will save on buying from Germany, or is there another reason for the purchase?