Laws about importing Airsoft items

Atominist

Hi, just started to get interested in Airsoft. But what are the laws regarding importing Airsoft weapons, magazines, etc? Will customs stop any Airsoft guns coming in?

I've noticed on eBay.ie that there aren't many guns to choose from, the guns I like are on eBay.com (U.S.A.). There is someone selling an ICS Galil ARM in the states and will post worldwide, but to check first about the laws on importing.

Thanks.

touge_drift

its now illegal to import an aed without a licence its just easier to buy in shops these days

Witcher

It's still legal to import airsoft guns under 1 joule but with delivery, vat and warrenty etc. You're better off buying from a retailer here:)

Puding

At the moment it is still possible to import rifs as long as there under a joule power output, the bill to restrict personal imports has been passed but it is not being enforced yet

Atominist

OK thanks guys, anyone know someone selling a Galil here then?

J.D.R

If you get onto Eirsoft they may be able to help you out. They do alot of specialised orders.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055122309&page=664

It's always better to buy Irish, as you know there won't be hasstle from customs.

EDIT - also, if Eirsoft don't have them, I believe Hobby Airsoft stocks them

Atominist

J.D.R wrote: »

If you get onto Eirsoft they may be able to help you out. They do alot of specialised orders.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055122309&page=664

It's always better to buy Irish, as you know there won't be hasstle from customs.

EDIT - also, if Eirsoft don't have them, I believe Hobby Airsoft stocks them

Thanks, didn't see it on Eiresoft and out of stock on Hobbie Airsoft

BioHazRd

As everyone else has said, it is NOT illegal to import right now, though this will change in the future. What needs to be borne in mind though is the following:
Customs will check the gun and they are not stupid - if it is marked at 20 euros value, they wont believe you and request an original receipt / invoice
Customs will charge you VAT based on the actual cost
Customs will charge you Duty if it comes from outside the EU
If they suspect it is above 1 joule, it will be sent for testing. If found to be above 1 joule, it will be destroyed and you will get no refund. Even if it is sub 1 joule, there will be a considerable time element involved in the testing.

Irish retailers need our support right now, as the recession always hits the luxuries hard (yes, airsoft is a luxury). If we lose the Irish retailers, where do we buy our gear once things pick up again considering personal importation wont be an option ? I am not asking that you rigidly purchase everything from an irish retailer, but rather give some consideration after weighing up the hidden extras to buying guns abroad (Vat, Duty, freight, admin charges etc) - I think you may be surprised to see how much you are NOT being ripped off by

J.D.R

Atominist wrote: »

Thanks, didn't see it on Eiresoft and out of stock on Hobbie Airsoft

Give them a shout in the Retailers section. They may be able to order stuff in for you

touge_drift

sorry i thought it was being enforced as it was passed already

Gordy6040

couldnt agree more when it comes to supporting irish retailers. They are a vital part of the airsoft community and the sport as whole would suffer without them. i know i'd be lost without someone to look after my upgrades and repairs etc.

Leftyflip

Epic necro thread...

Steve

For the benefit of all, does anyone know the current status of the legislation on this?

Yes, it's a necro thread but still a valid topic.

Shiva

Steve wrote: »

For the benefit of all, does anyone know the current status of the legislation on this?

Yes, it's a necro thread but still a valid topic.

The law preventing anyone who doesn't hold a RIF importers licence from importing them is on the books

However, although retailers were requested to apply stating their intention to gain that licence last year, and have been acknowledged by the DOJ, the licenses have yet to be issued, and there doesn't seem to be any mechanism for the Minister to issue them.

So therefore its not being enforced at the moment.
That said, there appears to be an increased willingness for customs to grab shipments of RIFs and send them for testing.

TNTQ

Shiva wrote: »

The law preventing anyone who doesn't hold a RIF importers licence from importing them is on the books

However, although retailers were requested to apply stating their intention to gain that licence last year, and have been acknowledged by the DOJ, the licenses have yet to be issued, and there doesn't seem to be any mechanism for the Minister to issue them.

So therefore its not being enforced at the moment.
That said, there appears to be an increased willingness for customs to grab shipments of RIFs and send them for testing.

In furtherance to what Tony said. Customs are 'Red Flagging' anything with Airsoft written on it and treating it as 'Fire Arms Components' (and yes you and I know they are not, but they're the ones with the power). This means that everything has to be examined and in some instances tested.

The likelihood of your stuff being tested is somewhat low when you are a registered dealer and almost definite when you are an individual.

The likelihood of your stuff being destroyed if it is found to be over 1 joule is definite.

When the new law is enforced, your only option to get something in will be through a registered retailer.

I've been on to boards to set up a 'tenders' thread (to no avail :rolleyes:) where customers can put up a description/link of what they want to get and interested retailers could quote a landed price via pm. Maybe when the importation ban comes in, this idea will gain more traction.

Puding

can i just mention that the restrictions will be places on rif ( replica imitation firearm or the other wording ) basically anything someone in the street can mistake as a firearm, accessory would not be effected, there is some question as to where the line will be draft ( metal frames for gbb pistols and m203 for example ) which have set to be answered

yes any parcel with airsoft on gets customs attention, but i have had no issue with any non rif related parcels

Steve

TNTQ wrote: »

I've been on to boards to set up a 'tenders' thread (to no avail :rolleyes:) where customers can put up a description/link of what they want to get and interested retailers could quote a landed price via pm. Maybe when the importation ban comes in, this idea will gain more traction.

Just started a thread on that on retailers.

bullets

Currently are airsoft retailers Legally allowed to import
Hot Guns and downgrade them immediately ? or do
they need to be specifically under 1j even for a retailer ???

Reason I ask is a few times I have noticed little snippets
from threads here and there to suggest that retailers will get
something in that may be over the limit and downgrade it before transferring it to the end customer.
While this is ideal and fantastic and I welcome it whole heartily the little rebel in me has to ask if this is actually legal or not?


~B

Shiva

bullets wrote: »

Reason I ask is a few times I have noticed little snippets
from threads here and there to suggest that retailers will get
something in that may be over the limit and downgrade it before transferring it to the end customer.
While this is ideal and fantastic and I welcome it whole heartily the little rebel in me has to ask if this is actually legal or not?


~B

It's illegal - retailers are not allowed import hot guns any more than a regular consumer. We get checked too, and I know a couple of retailers who've had stuff destroyed.

It's something that actually annoys me a lot, or used to. When we were under threat of banning, you'd regularly see retailers on here bragging about how they downgrade everything by spring, seemingly oblivious to the fact they were publically admitting knowingly importing firearms. Bloody stupid.

TNTQ

All VFC stuff we get shipped is actually only 300fps and we have to upgrade them :rolleyes:

Just want to be on the safe side. Us small guys cant afford to have a couple of E1000's worth destroyed

Shiva

TNTQ wrote: »

All VFC stuff we get shipped is actually only 300fps and we have to upgrade them :rolleyes:

Just want to be on the safe side. Us small guys cant afford to have a couple of E1000's worth destroyed

Aye....far too risky.

When the IAA were sitting down and talking to the DOJ about the Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, I remember lobbying them to try get a section introduced that would allow licenced retailers import any airsoft device, no matter the power, as long as we downgraded it before selling. Bob Hope's name came up a lot in the discussions.

kevinhalvey

instead of starting a new thread thought id just ask here

is it illegal to import airsoft accessories like m203 ` m79 laws and revolving launchers things like that is this legal or illegal

also what is the rate charged by retailers to import

TheDoc

I bought my first gun from abroad, for the first time not buying irish. The thinking behind it wasn't as much the price but more just the availability and stock.

Picked up a KJworks 1911.

TNT express shipping ( forced), nabbed by customers. Their customers office has shocking opening hours so took me five days to get a phone call in. They sent it for testing, took less then 72hours to be tested and sent out to me.
Then wanted VAT at the door.

Fired 4 shots from pistol and was happy.
Week later fayer and gerrowdat in the shed inspecting my new piece and the valve came off, granted it just needs to be screwed back on, still was loose.

Emailed the seller who insisted it was perfect, so can only imagine that customs did something. Emailed them, they have not replied.

Price wise it worked out a fraction cheaper then here. But consdiering the time it took to get, the waiting and annoying phonecalls to then have my pistol not working, made the experience very negative.

Will probably not buy abroad agian for a gun unless its something very unique. : /