Firearms import questions
I need to import two to five guns (four rifles, one pistol) to the US from South Africa. I'm looking at the ATF import permit form and need help! (Details of how this comes to be are at the end of this post for those who care).
The import form is here.
First, it looks like a regular FFL in my state of residence can file the import permit for me (item 3 under the general information section). Is that true? Somebody once suggested that I could file the import permit myself. That sounds unlikely and as far as I can tell is not true. Am I right?
Second, the import permit asks for 'unit cost' on the items to be imported. The guns in question are an inheritance, so I am paying $0 as unit cost. Is that the appropriate response, or should I provide some sort of 'fair market value' in response to that question.
I'm sure I'll wind up contacting BATFE directly, but your input will almost certainly streamline my inquiry.
Thanks in advance.
DETAILS:
I represented the eleventh generation (in my paternal line) of South African born individuals. About four years ago a relative I'd never heard of got in touch with me. He was in his fifties, childless and in possession of family heirlooms: six guns, a bible, and some dishes. By custom, he worked his way back up the family tree until he found an ancestor with a surviving male heir, and that was me.
Two years ago he died. It has taken this long to get the guns out of his estate and into the custody of a gun shop in South Africa that is willing to handle the export paperwork for me.
The funny thing is that I don't even know exactly what I have, yet. There is a Westley-Richards .450, a Mannlicher Schoennauer 8mm and something that was described as a "Number 1 Pellet gun." Two of those are in working condition, but I don't know which of the three does not function. Those are the heirlooms and I'm pretty much obliged to import them. The other three guns are modern and I was given to understand that I could do whatever I wanted with them. There's an Enfield, something that sounded like an Italian shotgun, and a pistol of some sort. That's all the information I have about these guns.
The gun shop that's holding them should be sending me more information shortly and hopefully that will be enough information for me to decide whether to import them or try to trade the guns to the gun shop to defray the importation costs (unlikely...the gun permitting situation in South Africa is pretty ugly these days so I doubt that gun shops are very keen to increase their stock).
The import form is here.
First, it looks like a regular FFL in my state of residence can file the import permit for me (item 3 under the general information section). Is that true? Somebody once suggested that I could file the import permit myself. That sounds unlikely and as far as I can tell is not true. Am I right?
Second, the import permit asks for 'unit cost' on the items to be imported. The guns in question are an inheritance, so I am paying $0 as unit cost. Is that the appropriate response, or should I provide some sort of 'fair market value' in response to that question.
I'm sure I'll wind up contacting BATFE directly, but your input will almost certainly streamline my inquiry.
Thanks in advance.
DETAILS:
I represented the eleventh generation (in my paternal line) of South African born individuals. About four years ago a relative I'd never heard of got in touch with me. He was in his fifties, childless and in possession of family heirlooms: six guns, a bible, and some dishes. By custom, he worked his way back up the family tree until he found an ancestor with a surviving male heir, and that was me.
Two years ago he died. It has taken this long to get the guns out of his estate and into the custody of a gun shop in South Africa that is willing to handle the export paperwork for me.
The funny thing is that I don't even know exactly what I have, yet. There is a Westley-Richards .450, a Mannlicher Schoennauer 8mm and something that was described as a "Number 1 Pellet gun." Two of those are in working condition, but I don't know which of the three does not function. Those are the heirlooms and I'm pretty much obliged to import them. The other three guns are modern and I was given to understand that I could do whatever I wanted with them. There's an Enfield, something that sounded like an Italian shotgun, and a pistol of some sort. That's all the information I have about these guns.
The gun shop that's holding them should be sending me more information shortly and hopefully that will be enough information for me to decide whether to import them or try to trade the guns to the gun shop to defray the importation costs (unlikely...the gun permitting situation in South Africa is pretty ugly these days so I doubt that gun shops are very keen to increase their stock).
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Cool Paul. I don't know the answer to your questions unfortunatly, but it's cool that your getting these items. Any ideas as to the age of them?
Good luck.0 -
quote:Originally posted by jc_crazyhorse
Cool Paul. I don't know the answer to your questions unfortunatly, but it's cool that your getting these items. Any ideas as to the age of them?
Good luck.
Thanks.
I have so little information about these items, it's pathetic! To make a wild guess, I think the Westley-Richards and Mannlicher Schoennauer are probably late 1800's. You just didn't need guns of that caliber in South Africa in the 20th century. I won't guess on the pellet gun, and the other three are almost certainly mid-20th century or newer.
I'll update as the information comes in. I've been sitting with an information void for nearly 2.5 years already, so I'm extremely excited that these guns are finally in the hands of an export professional. I expect more info shortly.0 -
Hope it works out real smooth, and fast for you. Keep us posted. 0 -
Sounds cool! Keep us posted. Sorry I have no help for you on importing. 0 -
'fair market value' should be listed for customs purposes. There are import FFL's who deal with this regularly. 0 -
I have imported firearms and it is true that you can file the application along with your transfer dealers FFL.
A regular FFL can do imports without an import license for private parties. When I asked the BATF what an occasional import meant they said 2 a year.
When I did it I just filled out the form 6 and sent it to the BATF.
You really should call them and tell them what it is you are wanting to do and they will give you all the answers you need.0 -
Thanks for the help guys. There's an updated thread that has more interesting information about the actual guns here. 0
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