John,
I was actually called by the local office of the ATF to help a South African national out, after he was given some spectacularly bad advice on getting his grandfather’s shotgun and his Morgan automobile out of Customs, after they seized both. ATF does not have the ability to import, only agents can do that.
Long story short, I got the gun out and to the rightful owner, but, Customs was going to destroy it at the end of the month and that called for expedited paperwork, which, I asked for and received. I don’t know what happened to the car, not my monkeys, not my circus.
I am always amazed at the people who have never imported a thing telling you how easy it is, and how all you have to do is this. Things go wrong that are not in your control (if someone unloads the gun at the wrong airport, Customs seizes it, period. Don’t ask me how I know). I could tell you some stories about knuckleheads at port of Minneapolis Customs, but, will skip that and just say there is nothing in Europe that I am interested in importing here, regardless of price.
It was cool and fun, pre 9/11.
Best,
Ted
