doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com I picked up a gun shipped from England last week ?

They said because the value of the gun was over $2500 US I had to pay a broker to fill out the papers.I have never had this come up before on a pre 1899 gun.The TSA said it had to go through a bonded broker????? and didn't smile or care. I wondered if they knew what they were talking about and how can I find out.?

I have had that happen too although it was Customs who mandated that I had to hire a "customs broker." I went ahead with it because I was going to be out of town for a few weeks and did not want to leave my gun in an United airlines warehouse for 2 weeks.

I don't know what Forms are needed for pre 1899 as my gun was post 1899. I think though that the ATF Form 6 states on the backside that a "customs broker" is not required. So if you had to fill out a Form 6 you might want to take a look at that.

This is the reason I need to use a broker and incur the ridiculous fees which in turn gets passed on to clients. Same deal with our Customs office in Denver. This is why I ship in batches and spread the fees out. Too costly on a single gun usually to deal with the brokers.

They have you over a barrel and they know it's going to be there way or the highway . Last August I drove up and picked some guns up and the shipper had cleared them I can't see what the value would have to do with a 130 year old rellic and needing a broker?

Did the shipment include a certificate of antiquity? If so you should request to speak with the supervisor or an import specialist. Do so respectfully because if you piss them off they have, and will exercise, the upper hand.

It's like you taxes you can do them yourself or hire somebody, government can't tell you how to prepare. Customs entry's can be made by the owner of the goods, however firearms entry's are complicated customs officer is rarely familiar with the rules. If he insist on a broker it's insurance against his incompetence.

Better to pay the broker than fight the system. You can shop brokers, average price large companies pay for entry's is under 100 dollars. High for individual shipments would be 250

Boats

It said on the receipt 1872 and was shopped under antique and Military relic from England. I was caught off guard by the reason " which was the value was above $2500" because I had done this a year earlier with more value.I never acted like it bothered me to the TSA because I knew it was going to be there way.I have no problem paying any fee unless it is unnecessary.I evidently look like a terrorist or ticked them off because they wanted to run an inspection on the shipment which they told the broker they do randomly and they it would be two or three days before they could get to it. I told them no problem even though I had driven three hours to pick it up. I drove back home and they inspected it an hour later.I had a buddy pick it up for me the next day that lives in Memphis.

It was explained to me by my customs office that they can request a broker be used at will. Anything over 3,000$ was the number I was quote would require a broker and anytime they felt the desire they could require the use of a broker. Didn't seem like it was worth fighting so now I use a broker. My costs have been much higher than what Boats quoted.

If you can use FedX ,DHL or UPS they clear the packages for you. I do not know how or if they handle guns.

bill

No matter what the Customs officer said there is no requirement to use a broker clearing goods you own. Just like going to court, you can represent yourself, although it's not always a good idea. Using the same example lawyers can charge a lot or a little, no rules on the rate.

Brokers fees vary according to the market, major port of entry plenty of brokers to chose from competition keeps the price down. Interior entry port few brokers you may pay more. Working for international company's 40 plus years I have entered hundreds of shipments myself. However when we had volume repeat shipments same commodity or complicated entry's always used a broker, shopping the price.

Last firearm I brought in the country on our own ship, no freight charges, consigned to a FFL importer licensed dealer. made the port entry in bond to his Colorado shop myself and shipped in bond by common carrier, arriving at his local bonded warehouse he entered the gun at his local Customs office. It's better in my opinion to consign to a dealer who can in the case of a modern gun mark it with his importers name, or not if it qualifies as antique.

Local customs officer knew him and had entered many guns for him, no issues.

If you are paying brokers too much shop around.

Boats