Looking to Import AEG from US

Ctan Overlord

Hi,

I have been searching for the Ares Tavor Tar 21 for a few months now and i have finally found one for a much lower price on this site:

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?products_id=33599

I was wondering what issues there would be in importing the rifle to Ireland and if there were issues what I could do to get around them.

The information on the gun lists the fps as 350 - 390 but in some reviews including the one in the link it shows it as 315 which is below 1 joule, and as such I am conflicted on taking the risk of ordering it, as I really love that gun.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated such as ways of getting around customs if they are a problem.

Decoy

This topic has been rehashed many times, search for keywords like "import", "customs", etc.

There is no 'getting around customs', you have to comply with their rules. Bottom line is that you will end up paying the cost of the gun, the shipping & handling costs, the courier admin charge and then 21% import duty on the entire cost. To cap it all off there is no guarantee you will get your Tavor because it will be sent for firearm testing and if it fires over 1Joule it will be destroyed without any option to appeal/have it downgraded. Do yourself a favour and get in touch with one of the many reputable airsoft retailers here in Ireland and get them to order one in for you.

defenderdude

Ctan Overlord wrote: »

Hi,

I have been searching for the Ares Tavor Tar 21 for a few months now and i have finally found one for a much lower price on this site:

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info.php?products_id=33599

I was wondering what issues there would be in importing the rifle to Ireland and if there were issues what I could do to get around them.

The information on the gun lists the fps as 350 - 390 but in some reviews including the one in the link it shows it as 315 which is below 1 joule, and as such I am conflicted on taking the risk of ordering it, as I really love that gun.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated such as ways of getting around customs if they are a problem.

Firstly, read this regarding Evike
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056130810

Even if you got it in - expect it to be taken by customs and checked to see if it's overpowered. If it is - it will be destroyed and you will have some questions to answer.

Shipping will be probably another $100 maybe more
Customs and VAT charges will add another 25% approx - that's 25% of the total including shipping (not just the gun price)

After all's said and done - be careful with the Tavor. Thery are made by Ares and from the start many have been "problematic". You should be able to pick one up secondhand here for abot 200-250. (More obviously for a very good one)

The last ones I saw in a shop here were sold off cheaply to get rid of them.

Lovely looking gun but unless you know what youre doing and are prepared to do some modding to get them working right - I'd avoid.

Besides, buying from the US will give sweet feck all backup when it goes wrong.

My advice would be to pick up one here and dont pay over the odds.

edit - sorry didnt see Cyprinus Carpio's post - what he said +1

TNTQ

Ctan Overlord wrote: »

Any advice would be greatly appreciated such as ways of getting around customs if they are a problem.

No getting around customs and no getting through them if the AEG is even a little bit over 1 Joule. 328.1fps = AEG destroyed.

$300
plus approx 20% for Carriage = $360
Pay by paypal today = €281.25
Plus Customs Duty = €291.09
Plus VAT at 21% = €352.22

There also may be a "Handling charge" - this can vary from courier to courier

Ctan Overlord

Thanks for the advice, I was aware of customs destroying AEG's over 1 joule but I was not aware there was no way past. I have sent a query to Eirsoft.ie to see if they are willing to get one in for me.

Decoy

Eirsoft is a good place to start as I know Richie does/did have one. I think I'm right in saying that Hobbyairsoft also stocked them at one point (they are currently having a sale so you might get one for a good price if it's in stock) and GoTactical also have them listed on their site.

As defenderdude said they can be finnicky so you need to understand what you're getting in to.

Ctan Overlord

I have sent an email to Evike.com to and they have offered a service that I can buy the appropriate spring and then they can replace it before shipping the gun so that it is within the 1 Joule limit.

What do you think of ordering it to Ireland now? Still too risky?

Also I dont care bout paying the extra for vat and shipping, still cheaper then buying it in Ireland.

defenderdude

Ctan Overlord wrote: »

I have sent an email to Evike.com to and they have offered a service that I can buy the appropriate spring and then they can replace it before shipping the gun so that it is within the 1 Joule limit.

What do you think of ordering it to Ireland now? Still too risky?

Also I dont care bout paying the extra for vat and shipping, still cheaper then buying it in Ireland.

Go ahead and let us all know how you get on.
dont say you were not warned.

Ctan Overlord

defenderdude wrote: »

Go ahead and let us all know how you get on.
dont say you were not warned.

Dude, I simply am saying what I learned from Evike.com, I am not trying to spite you or your opinion in any way, in fact I am asking where do you still stand on this, as I am still undecided and waiting on a quote from Eirsoft.ie and if you think weakening the gun to within the legal limits is a safer move or if it is still too risky.

defenderdude

Ctan Overlord wrote: »

Dude, I simply am saying what I learned from Evike.com, I am not trying to spite you or your opinion in any way, in fact I am asking where do you still stand on this, and if you think weakening the gun to within the legal limits is a safer move or if it is still too risky.

Dont worry - I realise that.
No offence taken whatsoever.:)
It's not just my opinion.
As posted in the Evike thread - unless it comes by courier it will probably be returned to the US when it hits Heathrow, so best factor courier costs in when calculating the total cost.

Most who have been here for a few years have seen these threads time and time again and the subsequent threads about trying to get refunds, or dealing with the Gardai or customs and how to get their equipment back after months (that's for the legal stuff).

I am all for getting the best bargain and buy alot from abroad (mostly HK) but when it comes to AEG's - spend the few quid extra and get the back up and reassurance of dealing with an Irish retailer.

That said; I and many other would be genuinely interested to see how you get on.

Best of luck.

Ctan Overlord

Thank you, that was the information I was looking for

I should hear back from Eirsoft.ie on Monday and if the quote isn't too high I will most likely order it.

goblin59

go tactical in bray last time i was there had a load of them in stock.

Lemming

Two other important considerations to take note of when ordering from the US;

• Orange tip on gun according to US law
• No trademarkings (unless already licensed in the US).

Ctan Overlord

Lemming wrote: »

Two other important considerations to take note of when ordering from the US;

• Orange tip on gun according to US law
• No trademarkings (unless already licensed in the US).

I am aware of this, and in this particular guns case it is not a problem as it comes with the standard black flash-hider and the orange one can be easily removed with a hairdryer. Trademarking not too sure.