Importing... Need advice.

Phractal

A friend in the USA recently offered to give me his old airsoft guns, free of charge, as he has not used em in a year. However we are worried about customs seizing them - a TM MP5SD6 AEG and KWC Mac 11 GBB - and it being a big waste. My friends have had no problems in the past ordering from eHobbyAsia and such, but this is a personal matter and what with the new restrictions, its a bit worrying. I really dont wish to lose the devices as they would mean a lot to me. Can anyone provide advice?

kdouglas

Once they are under the 1 joule irish limit there should be no problem importing. The new restrictions on import haven't been introduced fully yet.

Leftyflip

As far as I know, if they are under the limit, they should be ok as long as they are packaged and labeled properly.

EDIT: kdouglas beat me =[

Phractal

Will the boyos at customs proceed to steal all my money... I wonder... I will see about getting it in the mail tonight so

I will get him to enclose a letter stating that if they are over the limit, I will downgrade em, etc. And that they are a gift, from him to me as he no longer uses em.

Will that suffice?

Leftyflip

Phractal wrote: »

Will the boyos at customs proceed to steal all my money... I wonder... I will see about getting it in the mail tonight so

I will get him to enclose a letter stating that if they are over the limit, I will downgrade em, etc. And that they are a gift, from him to me as he no longer uses em.

Will that suffice?

As it is a gift you won't be charged, however they MUST be under the limit before they enter the country.

Phractal

Thanks mate. The TM guns are always ~270fps stock anyway, and I am sure the KWC Mac aint over a joule either. I will have him chrono first.

defenderdude

Phractal wrote: »

I will get him to enclose a letter stating that if they are over the limit, I will downgrade em, etc. And that they are a gift, from him to me as he no longer uses em.

Will that suffice?

With the best intentions - a letter satting they are under the limit is advised. Both of those guns should be fine - certainly the TM as was stated already, but it might not be believed.

Expect to be hit by customs - irrespective. I've no idea how they would calculate the amount due seeing as you're not buying them... but be prepared for some hassle...
Customs seem really to have the bit between their teeth these days. The last 3 packages I have received from abroad were all opened and checked by customs. (Charged on one which was over the €22 threshold value).

btw, Charge consists of:
Customs Duty (where applicable)
plus
21.5% VAT
plus
An Post Handling Fee (€6)

Be prepared for a possible long wait if sent for ballistics checking...
Best of luck man!;)

Phractal

If they steal my guns, I will be VERY angry.

If the day I find they stole my guns happens to be a Monday, I will be even more angry.

If I have not had a smoke that day, I will be at breaking point.

If they proceed to CHARGE me money for the pleasure of having my guns stolen? Well ****. I draw the line at that. That will mean WAR. And one REALLY does not wish to anger the psychotic redhead when he has neither nicotine, gun or patience

I an having the guns deactivated - spring removal - prior to shipping. The springs are being posted out separately. Reckon that will work?

Leftyflip

Phractal wrote: »

I an having the guns deactivated - spring removal - prior to shipping. The springs are being posted out separately. Reckon that will work?

It should be grand, but you might as well just get the springs over here, save some hassle.

Firekitten

customs charge based on tax... if the item isnt being imported, and has no value, it is not taxable... Just because you send items in the post does not automatically deem them taxable. Tax is added to essentially make importing instead of buying locally seem less attractive... however its applied to goods purchaced. Gift is a tickable box, as it is a gift... ie, yours already...ccustoms can check it, and may, but they cant charge import tax on it. (a 'rubber gloves' fee maybe.

BioHazRd

Firekitten wrote: »

customs charge based on tax... if the item isnt being imported, and has no value, it is not taxable... Just because you send items in the post does not automatically deem them taxable. Tax is added to essentially make importing instead of buying locally seem less attractive... however its applied to goods purchaced. Gift is a tickable box, as it is a gift... ie, yours already...ccustoms can check it, and may, but they cant charge import tax on it. (a 'rubber gloves' fee maybe.

Youre wrong there im afraid. Here in Ireland the restrictions applying to customs gift relief are
1. It must be valued at less than €45
2. The item must be correctly declared
3. The gift is of an occasional nature only, such as a birthday or anniversary

there are others, but they are not important in this context. Declaring the item as a gift with a value greater than €45 will incur full customs charges. Declaring the item as a gift worth less than €45 will incur customs charges in this case as they will get suspicious (they are very familiar with airsoft devices, and know their values) and will possibly inspect the package.

As these goods are coming from outside the eu they will be liable to duty and vat

Bio

Viper Antidote

Spot on Bio! Just ticking the gift box on the declaration won't suffice! If you do proceed with having them shipped .......first have them chrono'd and if they're under the joule that'll be half the battle. When wrapped up and parcelled ensure the box is clearly marked that the devices are 1 Joule or under. Don't get your friend to clean them up ....... a little dirt can work wonders when the suits open boxes!

Phractal

He lives in Nevada. Ill get him to chuck em in the sand prior to wrapping in glittery paper and posting along

Firekitten

BioHazRd wrote: »

Youre wrong there im afraid. Here in Ireland the restrictions applying to customs gift relief are
1. It must be valued at less than €45
2. The item must be correctly declared
3. The gift is of an occasional nature only, such as a birthday or anniversary

there are others, but they are not important in this context. Declaring the item as a gift with a value greater than €45 will incur full customs charges. Declaring the item as a gift worth less than €45 will incur customs charges in this case as they will get suspicious (they are very familiar with airsoft devices, and know their values) and will possibly inspect the package.

As these goods are coming from outside the eu they will be liable to duty and vat

Bio

Fair Call, I stand corrected.