Exporting my rifle and shotgun from the US

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

oh2nh

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2011
Messages
8
Hi Guys,

I was wondering if anyone could help, I am a Brit who has been living in the US as a nonimmigrant alien for the last two years and have become a keen shooter. I have a 24" pump action shotgun and a .308 bolt action rifle and was wanting to take these back to the UK with me when I leave in September.

I thought the hard part would be getting them into the UK, but I have that sorted, however, a friend mentioned that I might need an export license. Does anyone know anything about this and what I may need to obtain before I can legally take these guns out of the US?

I had just assumed that Customs wouldn't care if I left the country with guns........
 
I'm not an expert in British law.....but from what I know, your not going to be able to own them there....or if you can, you will need to request a permit that will be a long time coming.

Again, just what i've heard from this side of the pond.

Good luck!
 
Thanks hermannr, I'll send him a message.

Ohio Gun Guy, Provided you can get a Firearms Certificate (FAC) you can by most rifles (apart from semi-auto larger than .22) and shotguns. Handguns are a no, but they are keen on silencers - cut's down on noise pollution...

Getting the FAC can be tricky as you need to have good cause to own a gun. Reasons would be hunting (although you must apply with written permission from the land owner) is fine, if you say you're going after deer you can get a .308 (or similar) and for rabbits, rats etc a .22. Alternatively you can be a member of a target shooting club recognized by the government although you'll need to attend and fire a few rounds once a month. You'll then need some references, they chat to your doctor to make sure you're not on anti represents, interview you, look at your house to check that you have a suitable safe and alarm and finally run a background check so deep it'll pick up every speeding ticket and verbal warning you got - you'll need to declare these before hand. if you lie and they pick up something you will be refused, but if its shoplifting aged 14 you should be ok, however, assault at any age and you've no chance.

But if you've never been in serious trouble, are mentally sound of mind and genuinely have a reason to own one it'll be hard to refuse.
 
oh2nh said:
I thought the hard part would be getting them into the UK, but I have that sorted
Click to expand...
For those of you who don't speak British English, the above means that he's good to go for getting the guns into the UK.

He's not asking for licensing info in the UK - he's asking how to export the guns from the USA.
 
You will be sending your firearms as personal effects as you are moving. There are some slightly different rules in exporting them this way IIRC. You may not have to use a licensed exporter.

ITAR cover exports and is run by the State Department.

BATFE covers imports.

Contact Customs and Border Protection (old US Customs) and they can advise you what you'll need. They are the people who enforce these laws at the ports of entry and embarkation and they will be able to tell you.
 
A note on relevant British firearms law:

"Semi-automatics and pump-actions must have a magazine capacity of no more than two shots: this must be a permanent, irreversible restriction, verified by either the London or Birmingham Proof Houses - therefore it is extremely unlikely that any [imported] semi-automatic or pump-action will qualify, unless it has already been to Britain, and been approved by the Proof House."

http://www.gunrunner.cc/firearms_laws.htm

You might be able to get over this hurdle, but I would certainly do your homework on it before you show up in the UK with a pump shotgun.
 
Individuals applying for a license for personal use serve as
their own empowered officials and should check the appropriate boxes.

This is from the link in post #9.

It seems you can do the paperwork yourself.
 
Last edited:
I'm not certain, but I vaguely recall that only US citizens can submit the export permit request. The permit itself can be used on the behalf of non-US citizens.

Read the background and related materials carefully.
 
I believe there are differences between commercial export for sold firearms and personal "export" for firearms that are leaving with you. I've seen guys in the customs office with multiple hunting rifles going through the paperwork. I'd advise calling up the customs office you'll be exiting through well in advance and making sure all your paperwork is in order. Invariably someone has to stamp or sign something with these people. If you can't get them on the phone, go to them if possible. Hopefully you're not having to leave through NYC or something.

http://law.justia.com/cfr/title22/22-1.0.1.13.61.0.34.17.html
 
Personally owned in the US that will be returning later is a different case entirely. Much simpler case - assuming that the owner is travelling with them out of country.

Permanent export from the US is a big deal/pain.
 
I vaguely recall that only US citizens can submit the export permit request

I see references to "US person" not "US Citizen" in the link in post #9. If the OP has been a legal resident of the US he is a "US person".
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
exporting shotguns to the US ?
Replies
3
Views
368
MD_Willington
M
Odd Job
  • Locked
Legality of mailing magazines out of the US
Replies
4
Views
312
Odd Job
Odd Job
Odd Job
  • Locked
ITAR, USML and Glock magazines...
Replies
0
Views
585
Odd Job
Odd Job
Maximer
  • Locked
Is it legally possible to purchase a handgun for a nonimmigrant alien from a visa-exempt country?
Replies
18
Views
2K
Frank Ettin
Frank Ettin
K
  • Locked
Chinese arms exports 'fuelling civil wars'
Replies
5
Views
571
LAK
L
Back
Top