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Forums10
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Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 977
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 977 |
Right then, pre-1898, that simplifies things sort of. The way I understand this is that ParcelForce is the Royal Mail version of our USPS Parcel Post, and that the two 'official' mail services work seamlessly together. ParcelForce is the way my pre-1898 gun was sent and when it got to the States it went right into the USPS mail to me. Now, however, by the original post it appears that ParcelForce of the Royal Mail is no longer accepting firearms. Dang.
I don't know what shipment arrangements besides air freight might be available in the UK for this. John and Rhonda Foster do this kind of thing all the time and I'm sure they will be scrambling to discover a new method. Short term it looks like you might be stuck with air freight.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,160 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,160 Likes: 3 |
Royal Mail Group plc is the parent company of Royal Mail, Post Office, and Parcelforce Worldwide. All are apparently licensed by something called Postcomm after the 2000 Postal Services Act. At least as fo mid-2005, Royal Mail lost a bid to ban the posting of guns through the mails per Postcomm. Essentially, the Royal Mail grew alarmed at the number of guns it found it was delivering because all mail going by air was screened to reveal contents. I was not able to find any more current information that would suggest a change.
This worked through July of this year based on my experience.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,954 Likes: 12 |
I'm told Royal Mail handles guns internal to the UK, but not external. UPS will not handle guns internationally. A pre-1898 gun is an antique in the USA and not subject BATF or Form 6. However, it is still a gun in the UK and, so, UPS will not pick it up for international shipment. To date, the antiques I've brought in required I take the paper work to Customs where the serials were checked against their list. Papers were stamped and the freight company gave me my package.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,660 Likes: 7
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,660 Likes: 7 |
What a pong! I was getting ready to ask Dig for an old hammergun like this Thomson he got for fifty quid:  Even had some funds set aside. JC(AL)
"...it is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance."ť Charles Darwin
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,160 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,160 Likes: 3 |
No answer from various emails to those in officialdom in the UK...
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 348 Likes: 21
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 348 Likes: 21 |
try Tom DuBay East-West Military.phone # 586.415.8962. Very fair pricing.,good service.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,815 Likes: 4 |
I have imported several pre 1898 shotguns from England. The seller indicates on the shipping document that it is an 1898, Damascus,(an important word to them) if so. It is sent to the receiving area of the airport and you then take the document to Customs who sometimes realizes that you dont need the ATF Form since it is pre 1898. I have occasionally had to take the ATF book with me to educate them. They stamp the approval and you then go back to the air freight
office and get it. Once they shipped it directly to my gunshop which may work, but maybe not. Most of the time the shipping recipient and Customs are efficient ,but be prepared. One "lady" in customs even told me "if it shoots you need to go through ATF" , but I finally convinced her with the ATF book that it was exempt.
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