The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Keithkilvo1 wrote:Is it possible to buy a shotgun from a dealer in the states and have it shipped to an RFD in this country?

Yes.

Yes, it is possible, but the dealer in the States would need to apply for a U.S. export license as previously said.

If the dealer in the States is willing to take payment directly from you, it can then be done as a personal import. They send it to you in the UK. It is held in Customs at the port of entry and you can collect it using your certificate as the authority to possess.

If the dealer in the States wants to send it to a dealer in the UK, or you don't want to collect it from Customs, the UK dealer will need to apply for an import licence or have an Open import license before they can receive it and hand it over to you.

There are fees involved all through the process. Budget on spending about £1000 on top of the price of the gun and you'll be close.

Won't you also have to pay a customs charge depending on the value of the item....

Hunter87 wrote:Won't you also have to pay a customs charge depending on the value of the item....

Yes, you'll have to pay the duty and VAT to Customs when you collect it from them.

If you import it using a dealer in this country, you'll also have to pay them a fee and they will have to get it proofed before they hand it over so there's more charges you'll be paying.

JSC wrote:

Hunter87 wrote:Won't you also have to pay a customs charge depending on the value of the item....

Yes, you'll have to pay the duty and VAT to Customs when you collect it from them.

If you import it using a dealer in this country, you'll also have to pay them a fee and they will have to get it proofed before they hand it over so there's more charges you'll be paying.

So be nice to the Customs man or he may want to charge you duty & VAT based on the current retail price of the shotgun in the UK .

MistAgain wrote:

JSC wrote:

Hunter87 wrote:Won't you also have to pay a customs charge depending on the value of the item....

Yes, you'll have to pay the duty and VAT to Customs when you collect it from them.

If you import it using a dealer in this country, you'll also have to pay them a fee and they will have to get it proofed before they hand it over so there's more charges you'll be paying.

So be nice to the Customs man or he may want to charge you duty & VAT based on the current retail price of the shotgun in the UK .

I'm not sure being nice will cut it. They'll ask for proof of how much you paid for it but if they aren't convinced or suspect you're trying to under-value it, they are well within their powers to estimate what they think it costs and calculate the duty and VAT using their estimate.

i think the transport cost has duty and vat added as well

Dellboy wrote:i think the transport cost has duty and vat added as well

It is often the case if you buy something online and have it shipped to the UK, but that won't apply to an imported firearm.

Could you not transfer one from this part of the UK, would a .32 not do £50. There are plenty of .22 for sale as well.

Description: Taurus .32cal Humane Dispatch Pistol. A single shot humane dispatch pistol from Brazil.
Location: Co Tyrone
Category: .Pistol : Hand guns
Make: Taurus
Model: Single Shot
Certificate Required: Yes
Orientation: Right
Calibre: .32 cal
Mechanism: Double-action
Status: Live Firing
Barrel Length: 75
Overall Length: 200
Price: £50.00
Gun Condition: Second Hand

JSC wrote:

Dellboy wrote:i think the transport cost has duty and vat added as well

It is often the case if you buy something online and have it shipped to the UK, but that won't apply to an imported firearm.

It does apply to imported firearms , and in theory should also apply to any licence fees payable for export licences .

If you use an Air Freight Agent (the best way to do things) you also have to pay the following ;

Customs clearance
Airline handling
Security handling
Duty/VAT advance fee .

The good news is that none of the above have VAT charged on them .