Visiting the UK- can I bring an airgun back to the USA?

[DanD]

Hi All,
I'll be traveling to the UK and I'm looking into the possibility of buying a sub 12fpe airgun while I'm there and flying it back to the US in/with my carry-on luggage.
I'm curious if anyone here has done that before or knows anything about it.
Thanks!

[22Talon]

I have no idea. But I know for a fact you would have to put in checked luggage not carry on.

I would email customs and see what they say as they might have some rules on that.
I would also email the ariline and check their website as well. Different ones have different rules and policies.

[avator]

I think I would try shipping it back.

[dan_house]

I think I would try shipping it back.

Wisdom ^^^^

you'll likley have issues clearing customs leaving with it, VAT-if not applied at purchase- could be invoked, you'll have issues with US customs back to the States, even with "all the paperwork"
as mentioned, check with US customs, with UK customs, and your airline. You will have to check it, so it will be have to be in a lockable case, no air in the gun (assuming PCP) but be prepared to  be badgered by airline folks over "air in the tube", even if its a springer as they will not know (or care) about the difference.

[DanD]

Thanks guys. I meant to say "checked baggage," not carry-on.
I'm pretty sure it is prohibited by UK authorities to ship guns out of the UK, so I ẁas hoping to fly one back in my possession. My wife thought she may have seen something about disassembling it so it can't be fired. I will see what info I can dig up.

[Toxylon]

British folk down at the airgunforums.co.uk have suggested that taking the gun apart and declaring it as spare parts would be the way to go (with airguns coming into the country through the strict customs). For further insurance, leaving the mainspring out of the "parts box" would bolster the argument it is not a functioning gun by any means.

This is obviously not actual legal advice, so take it as such.

[avator]

Anything that resembles trying to 'pull one over' is likely to draw more scrutiny.

[splitbeing]

A stock and barrel in checked baggage and then a shipped package of parts?

[Frank in Fairfield]

Yes!
Just tell the ticket agent what is in the case.

[Frank in Fairfield]

A better idea:
Mail it home.
I believe we have a free trade agreement with the UK so there should not be duty or customs restrictions.

[Earl]

Ask the seller to ship it to your home.

[Toxylon]

Shipping airguns to a foreign address from the UK is doable, if you find a dealer who is willing (a small fraction of all available), and you are willing to pay in the neighborhood of 500 USD for it. There is a huge load of red tape in this with the UK dealers, and most will simply decline. Been there, and have talked to Americans who have told the same.

[triggerfest]

Depends on your carrier.

Like for instance with Delta Airlines, they ship airguns as long as you check them in at the desk (and notify it concerns an airgun). The only question is how the US customs are dealing with it. That I don't know. In my case it concerned shipping an airgun out of the US.

But read the T&C's of your carrier and contact the customs department - then you'll know it.

Edit: UK sellers are legally not allowed to ship outside of the country - so that's not an option.

[Frank in Fairfield]

If it is a PCP, it must be air free, of course.

[Yogi]

My understanding is that UK parcel/mail/package delivery services are NOT allowed to ship guns except to approved gun dealers with all sort of licences.  Parts, except for barrels, are usually OK.  IE Chambers and Rowan E.
So your best bet is to find a TSA approved hard case and locks and take it with you to the airport for checked luggage.  Airline will probably charge you for an over-sized bag.  Think about flying 1st class, free bags an advanced check-in would all help.  Contact the airline before you book and explain.  Since you are local when you bought it, VAT should apply.  You will have no export bill of lading so you will have to get the refund for the VAT at the airport.
Also, bear in mind that since Brexit nobody in the UK knows what the current regulations are.
Is it worth it for all the hoops you have to jump through, only you know...

-Yogi

PS or reroute you trip and take the ferry to the continent and ship it from Germany.

[Frank in Fairfield]

Just mail the gun back yourself.
To yourself.
You do not have be an English citizen to use the mail.

[Yogi]

Just mail the gun back yourself.
To yourself.
You do not have be an English citizen to use the mail.

They will not handle guns.  Hard to hide what it is.

-Y

[avator]

I think the best suggestion so far has been call and ask. Call the airlines and call the Post Office.
Or you could keep on listening to us guessing...   

[Frank in Fairfield]

Take the package to be mailed to the US Embassy and ask them to mail it for you.
Ask one of the Marine guards.

How do you think JimE gets all of the guns he sells from Europe to California?

[Denby95]

Is this worth all the effort? Don't forget also if you're buying it there, you have to pay their VAT where as if you buy from the UK from the US, theres no VAT tax. It seems like the best value prospect would be to buy from the UK, to here, and avoid their VAT.. especially if you're already looking at shipping aspects of it here, or paying extra to check it with the airline.

I lived in the UK for 3 years. I sent numerous packages (no guns) back home to the states for friends and family. Sometimes things took a week, sometimes you assumed they were lost but they showed up a month later. Sometimes items like chocolate appeared as if they'd sat in the sun in 100 degrees at some airport for a few days.

Whatever you do decide to do, hope it goes well!