Import of guns to USA

[Locasto]

Hi. I'm from Norway and I've got a few gun you collectors in the US probably would be interested in. I have imported a used gun FROM the US and that was a long and heavy task. Expensive too.

Is the same way to import TO USA? Can anyone explain the rules?


Mvh

Arve Rian

[TopGuns]

What do you want to sell ... there might be European collectors interested in what you have and be willing to pay what you ask!!

Thanks
Kris

[Matt Weber]

Arve,

Welcome to the forum! To answer your question, "yes", it is a long and drawn out task to import firearms into the US. And "yes" it is very expensive as well. What are you selling? Some guns cannot even be imported into the US, such as small SLP, G/K43, and full auto weapons.

I could put you in contact with a guy who may be interested in importing guns here, but for him to be interested I'm afraid the price will have to be only a fraction of what the going market rate is currently in the US.

Matt

[Craig W.C. Brown]

Depends what it is. Private parties can import non-military arms subject to a whole lot of specifics. Anybody importing a military arm has to go through a licensed importer and what is imported has to qualify according to various specifics. A firearm manufactured in or before 1898 may be imported without restriction. There is considerable paperwork involved in importing a post-1898 firearm, military or civilian.

[roughshooter]

Sir,

I hope you not planning to export a 98k from Norway to the USA, if so you are in for a nasty shock.

BAFT will not allow any military firearms after 1898 that have a recess in the stock for the turned down bolt handle of a bolt action rifle to fit into. Crazy but true.

I have been dealing with the US for sometime but now fortress America is almost closed. I have no idea what the big picture is but the there are so many BAFT regulations now that almost all US companies are refusing to export from the US. Its all to do with so called 'military equipment' exports but I won't go into that.

I would sell in europe, their are many of us registered gun collectors waiting to see what you have.....

Regards Craig.

[Josh Beckett]

You can import K98 rifles into the US, we have oodles of imported 98s at gunshows and gun shops.

And the G43 can be imported as well, it was exempt from the semi auto import ban.

[james m]

I did the paperwork to import a couple of guns from England a few years ago and went through my regular FFL* dealer. It took about 6 months start to finish but all in all wasn't that bad.
*Any FFL dealer can import occasional firearms on their license even though they don't have a separate importers license. He let me do it as long as I took care of all the paperwork and any fees.
Jim

[Johnnie]

Some time back I contacted BATF about bringing home weapons from Europe. They sent me the forms. Evidently, you can bring back personal firearms for your own use, (not resale) without having to do the importer route. The thing is, you have to personally accompany the weapons, have the paperwork done beforehand, coordinate with the airlines after, ect.
Here is the e-mail. I know this isn't the answer to the original question, but it might be usefull to Americans living overseas.

From: Pollard, Marie [Marie.Pollard@usdoj.gov]
Sent: Donnerstag, 19. Juli 2007 17:42
To:
Subject: RE: Importation of personally owned firearms

As a nonresident <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> citizen returning to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> from a permanent residence outside the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><ST1United States</ST1lace</st1:country-region>, you may complete and forward an ATF Form 6 permit application without having to utilize the services of a federally licensed firearms dealer. You should include a statement, either on the application form or on an attached sheet, stating that the firearms are being imported for your personal use and not for resale and that you are a nonresident <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> citizen returning to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region> from a residence outside of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><ST1United States</ST1</st1:country-region>. The form 5330.3A can be down loaded at www.atf.gov and submitted in triplicate.<O></O>
<O></O>
The firearms must accompany you on your return to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>, because once you are in the <ST1<st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></ST1 and have acquired a residence in a State, you may not lawfully import a firearm without utilizing the services of a licensed importer or licensed dealer. If the firearms do not accompany you upon return to the <ST1<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></ST1 either hand carried or in your baggage, you must engage the services of a federally licensed firearms dealer or importer in your State of residence to import the firearms for you.<O</O
<O</O


Johnnie

[roughshooter]

Dear Gentlemen,

Sorry, I should have made myself clearer. Personal imports have previously been ok when accompanied as stated by member Johnnie, but the London auction house of Holts and Company (http://holtandcompany.co.uk) are giving out the following information regarding 98k rifles sales to potential US buyers at their UK auctions, for their sale on September 25th 2008.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR U.S. BIDDERS. Please note that under current rulings enforced by BATF any Mauser 98 actioned sporting rifle REGARDLESS OF ORIGINAL APPLICATION that has a thumb recess in the sidewall and loading-clip cut-out in the rear bridge will be refused an import permit into the United States.

I have imported from the states myself personally and I know its lengthy. I do realise you are talking about export from Europe though. All I can say is what may have been possible up until now may no longer be so.

It know you have thousands of 98k's in the US that have recently (in the last five years) been imported but are you completely sure this practise is still going on at time of writing ? If a US member could get a definative answer in writing from BATF regarding the above statement on 98k import to the US I would be more than happy to pass it on to Holts Auction House.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong on this issue and I hope I am but I have the information from a very reputable London Auction House that will literally ship anywhere given the correct paperwork.

Regards Craig.<!--//-->

[Johnnie]

Dear Gentlemen,

Sorry, I should have made myself clearer. Personal imports have previously been ok when accompanied as stated by member Johnnie, but the London auction house of Holts and Company (http://holtandcompany.co.uk) are giving out the following information regarding 98k rifles sales to potential US buyers at their UK auctions, for their sale on September 25th 2008.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR U.S. BIDDERS. Please note that under current rulings enforced by BATF any Mauser 98 actioned sporting rifle REGARDLESS OF ORIGINAL APPLICATION that has a thumb recess in the sidewall and loading-clip cut-out in the rear bridge will be refused an import permit into the United States.

I have imported from the states myself personally and I know its lengthy. I do realise you are talking about export from Europe though. All I can say is what may have been possible up until now may no longer be so.

It know you have thousands of 98k's in the US that have recently (in the last five years) been imported but are you completely sure this practise is still going on at time of writing ? If a US member could get a definative answer in writing from BATF regarding the above statement on 98k import to the US I would be more than happy to pass it on to Holts Auction House.

I'm more than happy to be proved wrong on this issue and I hope I am but I have the information from a very reputable London Auction House that will literally ship anywhere given the correct paperwork.

Regards Craig.<!--//-->

I'm guessing that this has to do with the fact that military surplus firearms, regardless of current condition,(sporterized or not) can only be imported by a holder of an importer's license. According to the form that was referenced in the e-mail I posted, an FFL holder (dealer not importer) can import an occassional non military surplus firearm for his own use without having to have an import license. All other citizens still have to aquire any firearm through an FFL holder.
In the case of personal firearms bringbacks by Americans who have lived overseas, I am still waiting to hear back what rules apply to former military surplus weapons such as 98k's, whether allowed or not, or if they still have to be marked with country of origin and sent home through a holder of an importer license.
When I hear back, I will post what they say.

Johnnie

[Johnnie]

I recieved a long complicated e-mail back from BATF in regards to the above inquirery, and with out posting it, basically here is wahat they said:
Any firearm that was ever military issue can only be imported into the United Staes by a dealer with an import license.
So evidently it can still be done, just complicated.

Johnnie

[roughshooter]

Cheers Johnnie,

So they are refering to personal imports of former military surplus only.

Well that clears that one up, a successful thread !

Regards Craig.