Any problems buying from Puerto Rico?

[Mike128]

There's someone selling a pistol from Puerto Rico on another forum. I was interested but I do not know if there are any difficulties or different rules? Are there scams coming out of Puerto Rico? I would like to buy the pistol but am hesitant.

 

[JohnBT]

I imagine you would need to pay an importer to do the required paperwork on both ends. A big pain and expense.

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Really? Are you sure about that -- when shipping a normal package, via USPS OR UPS its like shipping to any other state -- no export paperwork required. It is just more expensive, but that is to be expected.

Just follow all normal federal firearms regulations.

 

[Pietro Beretta]

VIA FEDEX:

Puerto Rico is recognized as being part of the Customs Territory of the United States. As such, all processes with regard to imports and exports are to be handled in the same manner as they would for shipments consigned to any other location within the recognized Customs Territory of the United States.

Because Puerto Rico is part of the US customs territory, shipments moving between Puerto Rico and the US are not subject to import duties and shipments imported from outside the customs territory are all subject to the same import duty rates, regardless of whether the destination is the US or Puerto Rico.

FedEx will only accept shipments of firearms when either the shipper or recipient is a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, licensed dealer or licensed collector and is not prohibited from making such shipments by federal, state or local regulations when these conditions are met. FedEx will accept and deliver firearms between all areas served in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

 

[JohnBT]

"Are you sure about that "

Did you miss the "I imagine" in my post? You want me to search the ATF site?

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Did you miss the "I imagine" in my post? You want me to search the ATF site?

, only if you would like. No offence intended.

 

[JohnBT]

"and is not prohibited from making such shipments by federal, state or local regulations" - FedEx

Okay, of course FedEx delivers, nobody said they didn't. Okay, now what? Check the laws?

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Just an excerpt from the ATF:
A State of the United States. The
term shall include the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and
the possessions of the United States (not
including the Canal Zone).


This might be helpful to the OP

http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-4.pdf

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Okay, now what? Check the laws?

Well of course! I provided some references above.

Okay, of course FedEx delivers, nobody said they didn't. Okay, now what? Check the laws?

Well you were talking about shipping, specifically the possibility of requiring an exporter/importer -- which has to do with shipping specifically licenses and duties. That is why I concentrated my post of importing into the states. Then I went to the ATFE website to get clarification on the federal law side of things.

I didn't mean to offend

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Are there scams coming out of Puerto Rico?

While working as a shipping manager, I had more fraud issues with Jamaica, NY than Puerto Rico. This was a couple of years back now, trouble spots and trends change all the time.

 

[dogtown tom]

Mike128 There's someone selling a pistol from Puerto Rico on another forum. I was interested but I do not know if there are any difficulties or different rules? Are there scams coming out of Puerto Rico? I would like to buy the pistol but am hesitant.

Believe it or not, but Puerto Rico is under the same ATF regulations as the USA.

Same rules as any interstate transfer, meaning a seller in PR must ship the firearm to an FFL in your state.

They have the same scams in Puerto Rico that we have in the US.....just check the sellers feedback (as a seller) and if its too good to be true, its a scam.

JohnBT I imagine you would need to pay an importer to do the required paperwork on both ends. A big pain and expense.

No "import' needed....Puerto Rico is part of the US. It is treated as any other interstate transfer.

 

[chris in va]

Now that the ATF issue is resolved, I'd be more concerned how someone has posession of a firearm in PR and how legal that is.

 

[dogtown tom]

http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/articles/2008/puerto-rico-firearms-laws.aspx

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/puertorico.pdf

 

[razorback2003]

PR is a territory. Their dealers are licensed FFL's just like on the mainland. The gun laws are stricter than most states, but transferring a firearm from someone in PR to the mainland would be similar to transferring between states.

 

[JohnBT]

I'm left wondering why the OP's post didn't get a response for 20 hours. Good thing I noticed it, huh?

From what I read yesterday, it's possible to own a gun in your own home, or get some kind of target permit, or even get a carry permit if you have the money and are good with forms and addressing the court. Or can pay a lawyer to do it for you. Folks on another forum were tossing around numbers such as $500 for one kind of permit and $1000 for another with the lawyer, etc. The renewal fees weren't bad at all.

I liked the part of the law about only having 50 rounds at home. I guess if you can't carry it and can't take it anywhere you don't need much ammo.