doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Importing an English SxS ~ Auction ~ Help!!!

You will likely be looking at least 1,000$ if not a fair bit more to import a single gun of that value. It is not cheap no matter how you approach it today. You don't have to like it, but it is the post 9-11 world we live in currently. My costs to me from my customs broker is usually right around 500$, shipping is dependent upon how many guns, who the carrier is and costs on the UK side etc but 400$ is a pretty fair minimum, you will owe duty on it. Anyone who imports for a living like I do will charge you a fee, I charge 300$ per gun. If you come in with a batch of other guns it usually takes a fair bit longer but can be done for say 5-600$ per gun on average. I wish I could tell you that there is a fast and cheap way to get a gun imported, there is not.
Steve

Do it any way you want to do it, sport...Geo

Your gun already cost $21k, it just had not been disclosed to you. That is part of the cost of buying a gun in the UK, just like paying a buyer's premium to an auction house. It is one of the reasons why guns listed in the UK can look favorably priced compared to similar guns listed in the US - the latter reflects the costs of landing the gun over here.

That's not the point!I dont beleive you and Geo get it... Let's say you order a new car, it is marked with a price tag or you negotiate a price, and you know what the taxes are going to be, as well as all of the peripheral charges; port fees etc... you check, double check and triple check with the dealer that is the total amount.. Then you place the order and pay for the car then find out from the salesman "Oh, i was wrong, its going to cost an extra thousand to get the car here.." No refunds its your car figure it out" Are you trying to tell me you wouldn't be upset????? I don't believe it for a second!

I am sorry for your troubles - you got bad information from the dealer. You have gotten good information here about how to fix the problem. Good luck.

Here is a piece from the ATF Form 6 handbook that shows that you do not need an expensive importer to get a gun into the USA, just an FFL ~ provided its occasional:
�A Federally licensed firearms dealer, pawnbroker or manufacturer, other than manufacturer of ammunition only (Type 06 FFL) may obtain a permit to occasionally import a firearm for the FFL�s personal use, or for the personal use of a customer (the customer�s name, address and purpose of importation should be shown in the item entitled 'Specific Purpose of Importation' on the Form 6 Part I), without becoming licensed and registered as an importer.�

I also called ATF's Mike Cooney and he said my interpretaton is spot on...

Thanks Doverham - I will get the gun somehow.. maybe in time for quail season.. Again Thanks

ManOwar, one can also get a Form 6 processed with one's own C and R License if the gun is over 50 years old.

But that still means you have to pay customs broker and freight, which will probably be well in excess of $500. The only thing you wouldn't have to pay would be the importer's fee which, in SKB's case, is $300. I'm not sure how you were misled. It's not really a problem to get it shipped here as the auction agent told you, and I think one could have well anticipated that freight and import duties and customs broker would cost extra. How did you anticipate getting it here and clearing customs?

Thanks Daryl - Yes, you are correct... i actually thought about sending an application in for a C&R... I also confirmed that it would work with Mr. Cooney at ATF... however, in this case, i'm concerned by the time i get that approved then start the form 6 again it will be a longggg while before i get the gun... The cost is only $30 bucks for a C&A and they last for 3 years, so I will likey get one... Thanks for the advice