America to UK

[jonesbach]

Merry Xmas one and all,

Anyone purchased a firearm in US and brought it back to UK?

Hear so often how much cheaper they are to buy over there, but what process is involved in the import back into this country? I assume also that some sort of tax what be involved?

Cheers

Steve

[Steppenwolf]

I think you have to apply for an export form from the atf.I don't think you can take posession of the gun yourself, you must ship to local dealer in the UK and then take it from there.

Best thing is look on the AFT (Alcohol,Tobacco and Firearms) website.

https://www.atf.gov/content/Firearms/firearms-industry

[casts_by_fly]

Do a search, it has been discussed a bunch on here. Export license is a must. As noted, you can't take possession of it yourself, so you have to have the dealer ship it directly to an rfd here. In short, it is only worth it for expensive guns that you can't get here.

 

Rick

[Jaymo]

Added to this the ability to purchased without State ID in most places plus waiting times means a non starter to begin with.

 

And as other have stated, once Export fees, Rfd fees and import duties/charges plus VAT is applied its easier to order through a UK rfd.

 

But, if you have a friend who is able to purchase for you and happens to be moving to the UK and has a shippjng container booked then as long as the type being imported is not Sec 5 and you have suthority to 'hold' then thsts a different matter.

[jonesbach]

Hmmmmm, sounds a bit of a cuffuffle then!

Was looking at buying a beneli multi shot with extension tube but guess I'll stick to looking local to see what's about when the Xmas bills have been cleared!!

TA v much!

[station]

There's always cracking deals on second hand FAC shotguns -

take your time and you will find one as good as new for way cheaper money than new.

 

ATB

[steve_b_wales]

PM sent.

[Fisheruk]

Not sure how you would fair with the FBI check, also got to be careful some rifles they call straight pull bolt action are semi auto in the States and unless it is .22rf it's a no no over here.

[Westward]

I don't know much about FAC semis or pumps but for conventional Section 2 shotguns, US prices are often not massively cheaper anyway. 10 - 15% less is about typical for everyday Berettas or Brownings - and that's with the VAT included. Don't forget VAT will be added by customs to an imported gun.

 

If it was cost effective to import from the USA loads of people would be doing it.

Edited December 27, 2014 by Westward

[casts_by_fly]

Added to this the ability to purchased without State ID in most places plus waiting times means a non starter to begin with.

And as other have stated, once Export fees, Rfd fees and import duties/charges plus VAT is applied its easier to order through a UK rfd.

But, if you have a friend who is able to purchase for you and happens to be moving to the UK and has a shippjng container booked then as long as the type being imported is not Sec 5 and you have suthority to 'hold' then thsts a different matter.

First, the friend would also need an export license to do it legally. You can only take guns out of the US for private purposes and strictly not for sale. Second, they can't go in the shipping container. Customs on this side will stop it. The friend would need to have a certificate with the gun on to bring it in, and the bet way i have found is checked baggage on the plane. Been there, done that. I have brought 3 separate loads over on different flights.

 

Rick

[jonesbach]

Can always rely on PW members having the knowledge! The idea was to take a trip over to Texas to visit family and maybe find a heavily discounted multi shot shotgun to bring back with me. Always someone to **** on plans! Ha

[aris]

Wouldn't an American gun have to be re- proofed too? USA are not a CIP member.

[Gunman]

As a personal import there would be no need for proof unless the gun was to be sold .If it is a Benelli then it would already have Italian Proof so the question dose not arise .Bringing it back yourself as a personal import would require you to have a space on your certificate that would need to be filled in by customs on arrival at a UK airport , they may or may not decide to ask for import duty and VAT ,you can not argue with customs unless you want the article seized and the have to employ a clearing agent , pay storage as well as all charges duties etc. and have to return to the airport to collect it . Many air lines will not carry guns and if they do they the packages are clearly marked "Firearms" so all in sundry can se what you have , good security IMHO.