Gun parts and customs.
Discussion
I've got an old (1928) FN/Browning Auto 5 Magnum 12. The fore-end is broken beyond repair and it's impossible to source parts in the UK. I can get parts ordered from the North American Browning website but they'll only ship inside NA. So I'm out there in November and would like to get a friend to order the for-end and then bring it back with me. Obviously I hold a shotgun license.
I'll probably give my local firearms officer a call but what problems do you think I'll encounter if any?
I'll probably give my local firearms officer a call but what problems do you think I'll encounter if any?
Don't even try. Getting ANY firearms parts out of the US is a nightmare at present. I ordered 2 scopes from Bass and pro and received an e-mail informing me that gun parts could not be shipped from the US. FFS, it's a telescope!
Best bet is to ask a local dealer to order direct using their RFD number, this should cover it.
Best bet is to ask a local dealer to order direct using their RFD number, this should cover it.
It is possible to take gun parts through customs, but I would advise that you are very upfront and open about it. As you are doing, get in contact with people beforehand (maybe try and contact the local customs office too) to see if you need to get a special permit for it and I suspect you might have to get it checked in specially too. Particularly in America.
A long time ago one of my cousins (who lives in Australia) was given a special "non-metal" gun as a present while she was over here. I seem to remember that she got through customs fine with it, but needed to be upfront about it and maybe get a special permit for it. I think airport customs probably get a bit wary about guns that dont get picked up by their metal-detectors!
A long time ago one of my cousins (who lives in Australia) was given a special "non-metal" gun as a present while she was over here. I seem to remember that she got through customs fine with it, but needed to be upfront about it and maybe get a special permit for it. I think airport customs probably get a bit wary about guns that dont get picked up by their metal-detectors!
Olf said:
I've got an old (1928) FN/Browning Auto 5 Magnum 12. The fore-end is broken beyond repair and it's impossible to source parts in the UK. I can get parts ordered from the North American Browning website but they'll only ship inside NA. So I'm out there in November and would like to get a friend to order the for-end and then bring it back with me. Obviously I hold a shotgun license.
I'll probably give my local firearms officer a call but what problems do you think I'll encounter if any?
This is not a good place for asking a question like this. Most of the answers will be utter rubbish.I'll probably give my local firearms officer a call but what problems do you think I'll encounter if any?
Anyway, when you say 'fore-end', do you mean the mech or the wood?
Kermit power said:
If you're going to be out there anyway, why not just post it back to yourself?
If it's just a front sight, I assume it will be pretty small and light, and fairly inidentifiable in isolation? It would seem easier than going to the hassle of taking it onto a plane.
I don't think he means the sights.....If it's just a front sight, I assume it will be pretty small and light, and fairly inidentifiable in isolation? It would seem easier than going to the hassle of taking it onto a plane.
Right, I've checked back and the situation is this: Bringing anything firearm related out of the US will result in seizure at the US airport, and possible/probable prosecution unless it falls into the exempt categories of: non-military scopes/sights, slings, cleaning kits and grips etc. ANYTHING else requires an export licence - that's the law.
However, before I brought back a stock, trigger tuning kit and rear sights from Houston 2 years ago I called the US Dept of State http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/aeca.... and spoke to a friendly and helpful guy who said that as long as the vaue was low (sub $100) and there was nothing to do with the 'pressure containing' parts of a firearm, then I'd probably be OK with the trigger kit in my luggage.
I took the chance and had no issues. If you're only talking about the fore-end stock, then that would fall in to the 'grips' category and you'll be fine. If you're talking about the mechanism, then either don't bother, or call the USDS as I did above.
However, before I brought back a stock, trigger tuning kit and rear sights from Houston 2 years ago I called the US Dept of State http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/aeca.... and spoke to a friendly and helpful guy who said that as long as the vaue was low (sub $100) and there was nothing to do with the 'pressure containing' parts of a firearm, then I'd probably be OK with the trigger kit in my luggage.
I took the chance and had no issues. If you're only talking about the fore-end stock, then that would fall in to the 'grips' category and you'll be fine. If you're talking about the mechanism, then either don't bother, or call the USDS as I did above.
Olf said:
I've got an old (1928) FN/Browning Auto 5 Magnum 12. The fore-end is broken beyond repair and it's impossible to source parts in the UK. I can get parts ordered from the North American Browning website but they'll only ship inside NA. So I'm out there in November and would like to get a friend to order the for-end and then bring it back with me. Obviously I hold a shotgun license.
I'll probably give my local firearms officer a call but what problems do you think I'll encounter if any?
Olf I have had shotgun parts (chokes) posted no problem. I'll probably give my local firearms officer a call but what problems do you think I'll encounter if any?
The problem you will have is convincing Browning not to put give the true value of the part, 'cos they just LOVE to get a cut of it!
Thanks guys. I'll check with the links from jshell (thanks) but if that fails getting it send to my friend and then posting back to my local RFD sounds like a winning plan. I'll follow up with the plod. The no-pressure argument also sounds sensible.
Some people call it a fore-end, some fore-arm. whatever... the wood at the dangerous end.
Some people call it a fore-end, some fore-arm. whatever... the wood at the dangerous end.
Edited by Olf on Saturday 26th September 19:13
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