King...I encourage you nephew to join our group. jim.bode@frontier.com
A year ago many of you joined in to organize Beretta Paralleli Societŕ for lovers of Beretta SxS shotguns; now the group numbers 100+, with most members in the USA - but also Italy, Australia, Greece, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Kuwait, and England. You might say we are collectors, but in addition almost all our members are active shooters and hunters. The Beretta guns we love do not just sit in closets, so we have a lot of "user group" type information to exchange.
Importing a Gun from Italy
One experience doesn’t make me an expert! Info below represents an actual transaction I am in the midst of (buying a gun from a dealer). Importation of firearms into the USA must be approved by our federal government in one of two ways: through a licensed importer, or on a gun-by-gun basis through a licensed FFL holder. Here are some of the considerations & costs involved:
• In the ‘sending’ country, someone with an export license must ship the gun; this eliminates individuals and most gunshops, or Italian armories.
• Gun must be packaged in a way that allows US Customs to inspect & reseal, if desired.
• Freight carrier who allows sporting weapons must be selected. Gun must pass through an air or sea US Port of Entry with a Customs presence.
• Independent Customs Brokers typically handle processing at the US Port of Entry.
• Customs Duty will be assessed based on a percentage of purchase price; duty amount can vary depending on the country of origin.
• Air carriers will charge a ‘Terminal Fee’.
• Shipping charges to final destination will be incurred if the package is not physically claimed at the Port of Entry.
• The US importer or FFL will charge a fee.
• Firearms and Ammunition Excise Taxes (FAET) will typically not apply. The 2005 amendment to U.S.C. 4182 says firearms manufactured, produced or imported by a person who handles less than 50 such articles during a year is exempt.
In the case of the gun I’m trying to bring in, the above expenses added @$1,100.00 to the purchase price of the gun; but I didn’t work very hard at shopping the individual costs, so there may be ways to save a few dollars.
Using a FFL
Most FFLs have never imported a gun, so they will not be familiar with the process of obtaining a, which typically takes 4-6 weeks. However, the process is pretty straightforward. There’s no application fee, but you’ll need to negotiate compensation with your FFL.
ATF Guidebook – “Importation & Verification of Firearms, Ammunition, and Implements of War:
A Federally licensed firearms dealer, pawnbroker or manufacturer, other than a manufacturer of ammunition only (Type 06 FFL) may obtain a permit to occasionally import a firearm for the FFL’s personal use, or for the personal use of a customer (the customer’s name, address and purpose of importation should be shown in the item entitled 'Specific Purpose of Importation' on the Form 6 Part I), without becoming licensed and registered as an importer.” The application form, and step by step instructions can be found here:
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/guides/importation-verification/policy-procedure-forms-form-6.htmlUsing an Importer
A number of companies import guns routinely; they have an import license, know the ropes, and handle the details for you. However be aware that US regulations require Name, City, & State of the Importer is conspicuously engraved, cast or stamped on the firearm frame, receiver, barrel or slide. (I selected the FFL route specifically to avoid this graffiti). A few importers are:
http://www.colegun.com/ Our charge is $350 plus any shipping and customs/brokerage fees.
http://bsaltd.com/gunserv.htm Charlie Schneible, British Sporting Arms. Imports take from 4-6 weeks and we charge $250-$350 per gun…there are other charges and taxes
http://www.griffinhowe.com/importexport.cfm The total cost is a minimum of $1000.00 USD.
http://trimports.com/Import_Services.html Our fee is a flat $95, and we pass along the air carrier terminal fee of $50 and customs broker expenses. If the gun is valued at more than $2,000, it requires a formal entry, the expense for which should be a little under $200.