doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Need help importing a shotgun?

I noted on their website "federal law requires that all firearms imported by licensed importers be engraved with the importer�s name and the city of importation, regardless of the gun�s value. Your gun will be laser engraved precisely at the minimum specified height and depth: 1/16 and .006 inches, respectively." It surprised me as I have never seen it on a vintage SxS before. Is it correct?

My William Richards 410 is stamped with the importers name. Bobby

AFAIK, the "good", "professional" importers will put the engraving in a good, legally-sufficient, inconspicuous-unless-you-know-where-to-look-and-won't-diminish-the-value place.
The requirement for engraving has not been there since the beginning of time, so it is possible on guns not so engraved that they came in before it was required. Or, OTOH, someone merely forgot to do it and no one noticed.

I know nothing about them.


T. R. Imports, Inc.
5778 Park Vista Cir Ste 302
Fort Worth, TX 76244
(817) 750-2291
fax (817) 581-4222
www.trimports.com

You have to be very careful that the stamp is professionally applied also.

DGS forum member SKB imported a Birmingham gun for me last summer. Pain free, and half the price quoted me by BSA.

I take it from the inquiry that you don't have the age related information on the gun or a Type 03 ("Curios and Relics") or Type 01 license. If both are the case you'll need to deal with an importer ($ to $$$).

If you do have the license, I have personally handled many imports under a Type 03 for my own collection so it can be done with preparation and patience. The paperwork has become increasingly burdensome, ironically because of the move to electronic forms, to the point that it is almost necessary to use a broker even though that is not legally required (how many private citizens are set up for ICE/CuBE's electronic system?). The real problem is CuBE ("customs") who seem to change what is needed every six months and at the whim of the particular officer you interact with. ATF is relatively straightforward but you must demonstrate proof of the age of the gun.

Bottom line is if you're set up to do it yourself it can be done.
If not you're best off dealing with importers but pay attention to folks feedback here because some of them are rather incompetent and/or engaged in the personal politics of the gun trade (I write from personal experience) which can create it's own problem. I've had folks hold firearms of mine without notification requiring some effort to track down with the threat of legal action. Make sure that whomever you deal with confirms that they can handle the action from door to door including customs with all parties in the chain identified.

Your state may also have FFL transfer documentation requirements that need to be met. I find these are in practice not an issue if the FFL and Customs are handled in the state where you reside.

Jeremy

[quote=treblig1958You have to be very careful that the stamp is professionally applied also. [/quote]

Maybe I'm being picky but engrave it don't stamp it.
Stamping it carries the risk of distorting the area it's applied to, usually the under rib.
Many guns (at least British doubles which is what I'm used to) already carry the "maker's" name and street address in various locations.
Consequently it may only be necessary to add the "Made In XXXXX".

Jeremy

A "third" for Schneible, I just imported a non-antique gun thru him last month. I would just put him in touch with the seller and they can probably work it out.

Enjoy!

I believe the importer is required to stamp or engrave the importer's name and location here in the U.S. I had an old gun brought in by Simpson LTD at sometime in the past and Simpson had very neatly laser engraved their info on the water table in tiny characters. There was some complaints by other importers that the location wasn't in a noticeable place as required by law.