Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Importing AK-47's

Lurius
Hey, I have a question, and after much searching ive come up with very few solid answers, or any leads on where to go to get an answer.

If I(A legal US citizen) were to get an FFL and wish to import AK-47s(which comform to legal US specifications, ie: Simi auto, etc)... waht kind of licenses, certifications, or permits would I need, what are they called, and where would be a good online source to educate myself on the requirements?

Thanks a lot guys!
Michael
0

Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • Colt Super
    Call your local BATFE office, or check their website.

    You would be NUTS to follow any directions you get from an internet forum, unless your aim is to go to prison.

    Doug
    0
  • spurgemastur
    First, take Doug's advice and contact the BATFE. I've done this. It involves making a bunch of calls and you reach some idiots, some who are unwilling to help, and some who seem to think that it is their job to help you do (legally) what you're trying to do. That latter class of BATFE employee is not all that rare, so if you get frustrated on Monday, hang up and try again on Tuesday.

    Second, FFL doesn't help you much if you want to do a bunch of importing. FFL's may import arms "occasionally" for their own use or for the use of a client, but not for resale. That nebulous term, "occasionally," seems to mean not more than twice per year, based on discussions I've had with BATFE employees. Depending on the fire-arms you're importing (and I think the AK's would fall into this class--i.e. milsurp), you also have to be able to document that they have been in certain non-restricted countries for at least the last five years.

    I know a little about this because I'm in the process of importing a couple rifles that were bequested to me by a now-deceased relative.

    If you're in the "I want to import one or two for myself or a client but not for resale" class, then contact me by e-mail and I'll dig up what I've learned about importing arms and share it with you. If you're looking to import commercially then you'll need an importer's license and I know nothing about that.

    Good luck.
    0
  • givette
    Expensive. Got to have someone with an import/export license that is up on State Dept/Dept. of Commerce rulings get it into the country [read: clear customs] for you. Firearms/pharmaceuticals/foodstuffs as well as a myriad of other products all have distinctive regulations pertaining to the individual product type imported.

    I've heard on this forum that once all the legal hoops have been jumped through, it becomes cost-prohibitive unless you intend to have the volume to make up the difference.

    Don't have the keywords to make your forum search easier, but there's a listing, again on this forum, of one, maybe two licenced importers in the USofA willing to work with you on this. Use this forum's search feature and type in appropriate keywords. And good luck!! Joe
    0
  • Lurius
    Thanks guys. I am planing on backing up any info I gather online with facts from public offices of course, too much BS on the internet to take that kind of chance lol. I was looking into the possibility of doing this commercially, and still am considering it, I need to make those calls and find out more about the overall cost before I consider this too much further though. Thanks for the answers guys, this gives me an idea of where to start calling and what to ask about!

    Thanks,
    Michael
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity