Shipping or bringing gun parts internationally?

[LorDiego01]

What are the laws regarding shipping and transportation of gun parts between the United States and other countries??

Im not trying to set up a business, I just need a few mags for a Bersa that are not easily or cheaply found over here. I know for a fact you can order a bunch of parts for a G3/CETME from Spain and its perfectly legal.

Also, what is the deal with bringing them on your person? In a few months, we will have several guests from Argentina, is it possible I could ask one to just bring a few mags for me? Maybe even some spare parts. Is there a process to declare it? Any fees, taxes or bribes?? Government loops to jump through?

I would like for this to be 100% legit and not step over any gray areas. The last thing I want to do is to cause trouble for my guests who are visiting for the first time.

[danp]

I can't really answer your question as I am not that familiar with import laws but I would suggest that you research it very carefully before doing so as there are a lot of rules about importing.

[LorDiego01]

Originally Posted by danp

I can't really answer your question as I am not that familiar with import laws but I would suggest that you research it very carefully before doing so as there are a lot of rules about importing.

Yessir!!

Frankly, I didnt know where to begin. Im bad at reading legal-language, so hopefully this thread will help me go on the correct path.

You cant even take goddamn water into a plane, so I imagine mags or anything else would be quite the event.

[Joe Smith]

I wouldn't worry too much about the airplane, anything stowed in the cary on should be just fine. I just don't know about customs on the way in. It isn't really a firearm so I don't think you have to declare it.


Hopefully someone can either confirm or deny my optimism

Brian

[danp]

The question here is less about the actual travel and more about what items can and can not be imported into the US. Many imports of firearm parts require approval via an ATF Form 6.

JayBell may know more about this as he is a walking encyclopedia of firearms knowledge.

[scoutjoe]

I'm not sure how legal this was but my experience with shipping mags from overseas.

Alot of guys over on the Saiga-12 forum were getting 8rd mags from overseas (Finland, Russia, UK) seemed like the could get one mag in at a time, or parts but it couldn't total (value) over $100 US. If it was going to be more than that it went to Form 6

Take all that with a grain of salt, just what I've seen

[Kumarian]

Originally Posted by LorDiego01

What are the laws regarding shipping and transportation of gun parts between the United States and other countries??

Originally Posted by danp

I can't really answer your question as I am not that familiar with import laws but I would suggest that you research it very carefully before doing so as there are a lot of rules about importing.

All I can tell you is that it is a pain in the back side ... my parents are trying to bring in 3 single shot .22 rifles from Canada and are having to go through the ATF. Do research and best of luck to ya.

[aubie515]

Originally Posted by Kumarian

All I can tell you is that it is a pain in the back side ... my parents are trying to bring in 3 single shot .22 rifles from Canada and are having to go through the ATF. Do research and best of luck to ya.

Bringing in a firearm is completely different than bringing in parts.

There were those that bought multiple 20ga magazines for their Saiga 20s, so that information is incorrect as well.

[Skuggi]

I dont know if this would apply but my uncle ships industrial stuff in and out of the country all the time.

He doesnt know about an actual firearm, but his boss buys stuff for hunting from over seas including rifle magazines. The main rule of thumb is, is if you can buy it here then it's legal to have shipped over.

[LorDiego01]

Originally Posted by colagrrl

And I just now found your thread on the PAFOA board :-) I'm an avid lurker over there, although I have posted before, but I'm still a little too timid to join in for the most part. I was off work today and had some free time on my hands, so I spent some time researching various websites, including: the BATF, US Customs and the TSA looking for an answer to your question. At one point I saw info regarding firearm importation on the ATF site that said to contact the US Customs, and then on the US Customs site they said to contact the ATF...talk about circles and red tape!

To make a long story even longer, here's where my research led me: on the FAQ section of the ATF site, under the heading of O. Semiautomatic Assault Weapons and Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices (SAWs and LCAFDs) there's a section on "Importation" that says that large capacity magazines are still subject to the provisions of the Arms Export Control Act and that a Form 6 import permit is still required. Then if you take a look at the "Instruction Sheet" for Form 6 on the ATF site, specifically section 9b that states: "9. Under Arms Export Control Act regulations in 27 CFR 47.41(c), a permit is not required for the importation of: b. Minor components and parts of Category I(a) firearms, except barrels, cylinders, receivers (frames) or complete breech mechanisms, when the total value does not exceed $100 wholesale in any single transaction. The $100 wholesale value supersedes the previous dollar threshold of $500 wholesale in any single transaction." If you then search the ATF site for 27 CFR 47.41(c), you'll come across "Subpart C - Firearms" which relates to the "Control of the International Movement of Firearms, Their Parts and Components, and Ammunition". If you look at the bottom of page 6 & top of page 7, you'll see section 47.41 (c) under the "Permit Requirement" heading, which also states that if the total value of the parts doesn't exceed $100, then a permit is not required.

I know you said you had a phone number for the BATF, but I found this info on the site directly related to importing, "If you have any questions or concerns about temporarily importing
firearms or ammunition into the United States, please call ATF’s Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch at 202-927-8320."

FWIW, the TSA has one page about "Traveling With Special Items", relating to how to store your firearms and ammunition for traveling.

At any rate, I hope this helps you out, but I'd suggest calling the ATF Imports Branch just to confirm. If you do find out exactly what the law is, I don't know about anyone else, but I'd definitely be interested in knowing what they had to say.

I posted this question on several forums, this is by far the best response I've gotten.

Also, I've asked on a couple of gun-shops, and everybody looked at me like I was crazy..

"Of COURSE you can have them mailed. So long as its nothing illegal, like a supporessor, some NFA item or a complete handgun."