Importing rifle parts from the states.

[tim123]

My step dad is going to the states with work, and i want to see if he can bring back some bits for my Ruger. He's said he not happy to bring the bits back in his luggage so i've asked him to send them back. I'm only wanting to bring back some mags, and a few trigger bits.

 

1) Is there any implication with him bringing the bits in his luggage?

 

2) Is there any problem with posting the bits back to the UK?

 

3) Would sending firearm bits to the UK be breaking any laws?

 

Cheers All

[steve_b_wales]

I have had trigger parts and magazines sent to me from the USA, by a firm called ruger22.com.

There was no problem in the 3 times that parts were sent.

[tim123]

just had a look at the website you posted. I'm after a few 25 round magazines and a Volquartsen trigger unit, which the website says the don't ship to the UK, sent them an email just incase.

 

Can anyone else recommend anyone in the states who ships here?

[Steel100]

tim123,

 

Ever since 911 the Americans have been getting more twitchy about shipping stuff abroad.

 

It is of course possible but the cost is likely to be prohibitive, unless you are buying a lot of stuff.

 

Laws will vary from State to State as to what a non-resident alien can buy from a gun shop. If it's not allowed then getting a local to buy the gear and then hand it over would count as a 'straw purchase' and land both parties in massive trouble, if caught.

 

Basically, take the cost of the goods and add the cost of shipping and insurance to the UK. Also add the cost of a US State Department Export Licence which will be 250USD. When the goods arrive in the UK add the cost of duty (varies dependent upon what you buy) and then add 15% VAT to the overall total. Oh, also add the cost of 'handling' in the UK.

 

After you've done all that, check if the price differential still makes it worthwhile ....

 

Also, check if the items you are wanting to import require an import licence. Just to confuse things, at one time magazines for guns required an import licence even though they are not a licensable component - I don't know if that is still the case.

 

Oh, for the days when you could just ring 'em, give your credit card details and they'd bung the stuff in the post!

 

If you still think it is worthwhile try these people: http://etssincusa.com

 

I got their details from a very good post on another UK Forum on shooting.

 

ATB

 

Andy

[goldypurple]

Ive ordered stuff form the states, like shotgun parts and spares. i have never had a problem with it being shipped or taxes.

[Andy H]

Here is a list of the restricted parts copied from Gunparts corp website the biggest supplier of gun parts in the US.

 

Certain parts are restricted for export by the United States Government, including barrels, barrel blanks, bolt assemblies, cylinders, receivers, frames, bolts, and high capacity magazines.

[lineshooter]

Saw another list a while ago on the Optics Planet website with restrictions on scopes and mounts etc, also night vision equipment basically any item that aides a firearm to function was on the list.

 

I tried to order a spring kit and some standard parts for an Uberti Underlever from Brownells the other day but they emailed to say they were restricted items, apparently the manufacturer has to be registered with the US equivelant of the DTi to export and as there is a cost for this a lot are not registering.

 

There was a note on our Customs and Excise site about importing gun parts, it basically said that if the items were for a gun you had on your license then it would be ok, the problem you have is finding someone to ship.

 

I suppose some stuff will always get through though, has anyone ever brought shooting related products back from the States in their luggage and had any problems.

[Rem223]

I suppose some stuff will always get through though, has anyone ever brought shooting related products back from the States in their luggage and had any problems.

The last time I was in the US was 2003 and the Dept. of Homeland Security conducted a baggage search. At the time I had several hundred ballistic tips and if memory serves a Leupold 6.5-20x50. It was no problem then, but things have changed significantly. I now live about 5 miles north of the US border in Canada. The Feds routinely set up outbound checks on the US side for Canadians heading back to Canada with firearms parts, ammuntion, reloading powder etc. The list of goods requiring and export license is extensive. If you get caught carrying restricted items it could mean you get your car seized, get a fine or worse case scenario get to become good friends with Bubba in a Federal prison. You could also have your name added to the US no fly list, so a holiday in the US or say Mexico could present problems.

 

Cabelas a couple of years back were fined $250,000 I believe for exporting 'scopes outside the US without a license. The bizarre part is that many of those 'scopes were European in origin. In order for companies to comply they need to get the export license. Companies like Brownells will do this as they have adequate demand to make it worthwile, but a lot of smaller companies will no longer bother. As Steel100 says getting your mates to do it for you Stateside is potentially risky for both parties. It won't be a problem with UK Customs provided you have an FAC and can pay the duty and VAT, but in the event (albeit unlikely) your parcel gets checked you could have problems. The US gun industry is steaming over this issue. The nearest gunshop to me in the US is down by millions of dollars, but with a socialist in the White House I don't see the policy changing any time soon.

 

some background reading for you... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International...rms_Regulations

[geordieh]

Hi Tim

I came back two weeks ago from Chicago my luggage was searched by US customs i had a trigger unit, scopes, 1000 bullets, a boyds stock, rings and mounts,a full reloading kit and various other shooting stuff. Absolutely nothing said at all

Cheers Geordie

[Rem223]

Hi Tim

I came back two weeks ago from Chicago my luggage was searched by US customs i had a trigger unit, scopes, 1000 bullets, a boyds stock, rings and mounts,a full reloading kit and various other shooting stuff. Absolutely nothing said at all

Cheers Geordie

Are you sure it was US Customs and not the Dept. of Homeland Security? That said US Customs sometimes don't always know what laws are applicable. You got lucky this time, maybe next time you won't be so lucky. Personally I wouldn't take the risk. This is from the BATF http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/p5300_18.pdf

I draw your attention to this part.....

 

A nonimmigrant alien generally MAY NOT purchase

ammunition from an FFL or a nonlicensee to

possess in the United States. If you violate this

prohibition, you could receive a maximum of 10

years of imprisonment.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Rem223

[geordieh]

Hi Rem223

It was ballistic tip heads for reloading not loaded ammunition

Cheers Geordie

[Rem223]

Hi Rem223

It was ballistic tip heads for reloading not loaded ammunition

Cheers Geordie

Geordie it doesn't matter mate. They are classed as ammunition, same as brass, primers and powder. You need an export license and as you are not (I assume) a US citizen or registered alien you are breaking the law just possessing them. Bear in mind that ballistic tips in the UK are also classed as "missiles" on your FAC. You need to have expanding ammunition to purchase them. It's essentially the same thing. The reloading tools are no problem (at the moment) but triggers, barrels and significant firearm parts come under another jurisdiction (Dept. of commerce) and also require an export license.

 

All I am saying is you are taking a big risk. Chances are the airline security checks will not be a problem, as I suspect they are ignorant of the law and all they are interested in is explosives. However if you got someone who wanted to make an issue of it you could be in for a lot of grief. At a minimum you could be deported from the US and that brings with it a ten year ban on returning without a visa. None of my business what you do I am just giving you a heads up.

Edited November 6, 2009 by Rem223

[casts_by_fly]

I've done it both ways, bring firearms and ammunition into and out of the US. Pretty much every trip for the past 2 years has involved some combination of guns and ammo (both loaded and components). Searches have been done by customs on both sides and homeland security and TSA on the US side. I've not had a problem and will continue to do as I have been. Having a US passport helps with the legality part on the US side though.

 

That said, a non resident alien is allowed to purchase ammunition (which is defined as loaded ammo, cases, primers, powder and bullets) if they meet one of the exemptions under 922.y.2. The only one that will ever really apply to anyone here is that they possess a valid hunting permit. So you (as a non immigrant alien) are allowed to purchase ammunition providing you have a hunting license. The export of that ammo then will have to comply with State department export rules.

 

good reference for you guys:

 

http://www.americanfirearms.org/laws.php

 

Also:

 

http://law.justia.com/us/codes/title18/18usc921.html

http://law.justia.com/us/codes/title18/18usc922.html

 

Thanks,

rick

[casts_by_fly]

And here is the relevant state department regs on it for exceptions:

 

§ 123.17 Exports of firearms and ammunition.

(a) Except as provided in §126.1 of this subchapter, Port Directors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall permit the export without a license of components and parts for Category I(a) firearms, except barrels, cylinders, receivers (frames) or complete breech mechanisms when the total value does not exceed $100 wholesale in any transaction.

 

And the definition of Category I (a) from the munitions list:

 

Category I—Firearms, Close Assault Weapons and Combat Shotguns

*(a) Nonautomatic and semi-automatic firearms to caliber .50 inclusive (12.7 mm).

*( Fully automatic firearms to .50 caliber inclusive (12.7 mm).

*© Firearms or other weapons (e.g. insurgency-counterinsurgency, close assault weapons systems) having a special military application regardless of caliber.

*(d) Combat shotguns. This includes any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches.

*(e) Silencers, mufflers, sound and flash suppressors for the articles in (a) through (d) of this category and their specifically designed, modified or adapted components and parts.

(f) Riflescopes manufactured to military specifications (See category XII© for controls on night sighting devices.)

*(g) Barrels, cylinders, receivers (frames) or complete breech mechanisms for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this category.

(h) Components, parts, accessories and attachments for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this category.

 

 

So you can personally export some firearm parts from the US with wholesale value less than $100 (nominal retail $155 I believe) as listed above.

 

I have found exceptions for US persons exporting ammunition (so long as the intention is use or reimport, not sale or transfer), but I see no such exception for non US persons (non immigrant aliens) other than ammunition you've brought into the country in the first place with the intention of hunting).

 

What is interesting also is scopes. The only ones that are restricted for export are those that are manufactured to military specifications. Clearly the Leupold Mark 4 is a mil-spec scope as military and police groups use it. The same argument could be made for any mil-dot or tactical scope. But what about a 3-9 VX2 deer scope? Or what about any scope from a company that is not mil-spec qualified? Clearly only the DOJ could answer where the line is drawn, but of course for the small distinctions and export market, the manufacturers and retailers aren't going to bother.

 

Thanks,

Rick

[Emmsy]

makes interesting reading

im off to canada and usa in a month and was hoping to bring back a ruger 1022 stock and barrel

are the laws in canada the same?

[casts_by_fly]

no, canada is a different beast altogether. They have just abolished their gun registry (was similar to the system here) so that might makes things a little easier, but I don't know. the stock should be fine from either place. The barrel is going to be tough any which way because you'll need to have it on your ticket here. A dealer over there isn't able to put it on your ticket, only a dealer here, police here, or a customs officer on entering the country. In the US you won't be able to export it legally. About your only hope is that you're traveling from the US to Canada, and then back here. AND, you're able to buy the barrel in Canada. AND you're able to take the barrel out of Canada. AND you have a customs officer back here that knows what they are talking about for adding them to your certificate. Of course when they add it they will charge you import and duty.

 

Thanks,

Rick