Pseudotectonic

Some preliminary research. Perhaps not precisely down to every detail, but should be the outline of how it goes. 1. Skimming through some gov.uk pages it seems carriers use something called a Customs Declaration Service (CDS) electronic system to do declarations. This is what UPS uses (https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/webcontent/supplychain/media/UK-Importer's-Guide-Preparing-for-the-CDS-System.pdf). • CDS is pretty boring stuff and mostly entering codes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLnf76xyVCg). Gov.uk has some guidance on how to complete a declaration on CDS (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-trade-tariff-volume-3-for-cds--2#imports:-guidance-on-completing-an-import-declaration-for-the-customs-declaration-service). • Carriers like UPS handle this because they are "Third-party representatives applying for authorisation" "Using someone to make declarations for you" (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-simplified-declarations-for-imports). • The precise codes do not really matter, at this point it appears to be a bunch of codes for some basic sorting, and codes can change. Let UPS handle this, we cannot streamline this for them externally. 2. After the carrier submits a declaration in the CDS, HMRC will send a response, and may ask for "supporting documents for a customs check to clear your goods" (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-an-import-supplementary-declaration). • "Border Force monitors and controls imports of firearms (including their component parts), ammunition and offensive weapons into the UK across all modes of transport and international mail." (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-controls-on-offensive-weapons) So naturally it would be Border Force who looks at this declaration. • UPS (or any carrier) are not firearms expert. Judging by the formatting of the UPS version of RIF declaration form, I am guessing UPS sends the PDF directly in CDS as part of the declaration process. (Papers/certificates can be scanned as PDF.) I don't think CDS software would have fields for UPS to enter the colour of an IF etc., I think the RIF declaration.pdf is for Border Force to read, by a human. • It is then up to Border Force to determine whether it is firearms or RIF and act accordingly. (Firearms Act or VCRA) ◦ Border Force may or may not want an inspection. How inspections are done is unknown but I am guessing a firearms expert from Border Force is gonna ask for some pictures from UPS to identify if it is airsoft (or as stated in the declaration). I don't think the firearm experts are running between warehouses checking stuff in person, they don't need to do that unless necessary, I mean, a firearms expert can probably tell apart airsoft from real firearms just from photos, and they probably do that first. And they probably don't check every single import, but by random sample or anything suspicious or if the firearms expert has nothing else to do. ◦ If it is an RIF (VCRA), they want to see defence. ◦ If it is firearms (Firearms Act), they want to see certificates and whatnot. ◦ If it is an RIF and you have no defence, it will probably be seized and you might get a visit. (Because suspected VCRA offence.) ◦ In a way, the RIF declaration for a VCRA import should be functionally equivalent to a "certificate" for a firearm. 3. There is a time limit for making declarations. After which perhaps it increases the chances of inspection, and again, if they found an RIF and no defence, you might get a visit. (Because suspected VCRA offence.) 4. How Border Force decides how to proceed after receiving the RIF declaration should follow this chart https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/983345/Notice_to_importers_2944_-_firearms_and_ammunition.pdf • To help guide them to the correct procedures, the declaration should make clear it is not firearms but an RIF under VCRA. And has defence i.e. UKARA#. • Again judging by the UPS version of RIF declaration form, it does exactly that. • Border Force should be the one checking UKARA#. 5. Normally, UPS emails you to ask for the RIF declaration. You fill it in, send it back, they file it, job done. 6. There are several ways this process can be disrupted, and how it can be solved. • At any point, it is only a problem when the parcel is without declaration and defence. • UPS losing your parcel: nothing you can do, but a missing parcel with declaration and defence on it can possibly save you time and visit from police if UPS finds it, alerting Border Force about firearms, and having no firearms certificate / no RIF declaration and defence. • UPS forgetting to ask you for declaration / defence, leading to seizure by Border Force who can't find a declaration or defence: Attaching the RIF declaration solves the problem. • UPS being late: having it attached saves them time and yours. • UPS totally missed your RIF declaration attached, leading to Border Force inspecting parcel: Border Force finds the paperwork, problem solved. • UPS lost your RIF declaration but not your parcel: Include your phone and email on the address so UPS can contact you for it. • UPS or Border Force seizing your parcel despite having the RIF declaration: unlikely unless your RIF is overpowered or otherwise illegal, nothing you can do other than telling the seller to check the joules. And don't fill in a wrong answer (over legal limit). • UPS and Border Force somehow all missed your RIF declaration, despite you clearly displayed your email and phone, and clearly attached the declaration: very unlikely, perhaps tell the seller to include an extra copy INSIDE the parcel, so there is no way it can get lost and end up not having a declaration/defence during inspection. • All the anecdotes seem to suggest they don't seize your stuff unless there is a reason, i.e. it is not by chance. If you have the declaration and a defence, and they seize your stuff, you can challenge them. 7. I suspect UPS's internal procedures are poorly documented. They probably have a post-it somewhere that says "airsoft -> get RIF declaration form -> put in CDS." This could be verified if somebody can get in touch with them. 8. I would not expect UPS (or any carrier) to be firearm experts. But they are the ones talking to Border Force, who deals with firearms. ---- Therefore: 1. The general strategy would remain. • Pre-attach the RIF declaration form (which includes your defence). • Include your email and phone somewhere obvious. • Put an extra copy inside the box. 2. We can even refine the method: • The UPS version of RIF declaration form is the baseline, and should be universal across carriers, because it is Border Force who actually reads it. • A paper version of the RIF declaration.pdf should therefore be: ◦ Obvious to see when attached to the parcel. ◦ "UPS compatible" so it doesn't confuse UPS's post-it notes. It needs to be as foolproof as possible for UPS to fill in their tracking number before uploading. ◦ Easy to read, be very clear about it being RIF/IF/etc. and not firearms. Helps Border Force follow the correct procedures. ◦ Contains the VCRA defence. Contains UKARA# and address etc. for Border Force to check on the UKARA database. ◦ Probably helps if the declaration form has formatting with less chance of accidentally putting in "wrong answers" like too high a joule output. Perhaps in the form of hint boxes of UK power limits. ◦ Easy to be scanned into PDF. Helps UPS submitting their stuff. Bonus point for accurate OCR to save the poor guy at Border Force some typing. ◦ Includes your contact details, so UPS or Border Force can contact you for any reason. ◦ Includes extra copies inside the box alongside the actual RIF, for helping with inspection. ---- Quick link: the current (?) UPS RIF declaration "RIF DEC Aug22.doc": https://airsoft-forums.uk/topic/53821-ups-rif-declaration-for-parts/?do=findComment&comment=511495 ---- Looking forward to more information in either direction to push this along. But so far, the UPS form seems to be solid.

The worst can always happen, which is why you want to minimise its chances. If for any reason, in a near-impossible event where you get charged for the VRCA import, you can say, you provided a defence, and they didn't check it!

Ok, if UPS (or other couriers) are the ones checking for defence and seizing parcels (can UPS connect to UKARA database?), surely all the more reason to pre-attach the declaration form. Because that declaration form has the defence. And if, for any reason, the pre-attached declaration was missed by HMRC/UPS/other couriers, and it goes to the HMRC/border force/police, or firearms officer or whatever. They look at the parcel, they see the big words of "VCRA IMPORT SEE DECLARATION", they will look for the attached declaration again, and checks the RIF, checks the UKARA#, they see your defence, they releases the parcel. And if, somehow, all these people have missed both the big label of "VCRA IMPORT SEE DECLARATION" and the pre-attached declaration form, you will have a better case if you decide to e.g. file a notice of claim or a complain to them or challenge the legality of the seizure. I don't see the downsides of this. I think it is best practice. This can prevent customs police coming to your home.

First, you gotta stop that condescending tone of yours. Second, I think you could have well made this up, do you work there? Do you have source? Thirdly, that is besides the point, you still want to stick the declaration on the parcel, so it won't get missed, by anyone. Your entire argument started with this method won't work for UPS. If UPS is seizing the parcel as you said, then there is no problem. Anecdotally (from this forum) UPS seems to be always asking for it anyway, so pre-attaching it will surely smooth things out, as a matter of best practice.

I meant a big warning label, one similar to those "FRAGILE" or "THIS WAY UP" or other supposedly easy to see labels. Although the precise wording is still up for debate. "Pro-forma" RIF declaration: There is a UPS version of RIF declaration form somewhere in this forum you can search for it. I tried to put together a better looking version but I have yet to finalise the format, but essentially it is the same form. Find the UPS version and use that one if you need to fill in a copy. The UKARA# should go in the declaration form. But additionally putting it in the address cannot hurt.

No London fields, no London business...

What even are you on about? Someone acting on behalf of another person doesn't mean they are the same person. Customs agents are not the one seizing your parcel. I get you are mad about UPS. Which is fine. I am not saying UPS is good either.

adjusted motor height? should explain why it works when you pop'd back the old motor in, the height may be adjusted for the old motor but not the new motor.

Customs agents are not customs. And if UPS has a habit of fucking up, all the more reason to tell the seller to attach the declaration from the get go.

The method is carrier-agnostic because it doesn't matter who is the courier, the parcel has to go through customs at some point. Having the seller print it out is the best way to make sure it stays declared all the way. At no point in time customs can get spooked by an undeclared gun shaped object.

We should be able to come up with a set of best practice to streamline the process. To ease the process for customs and minimise risks of seizure or police visit, we need the parcel to be very clear about what it is and what it isn't. 1. We can make or fill in a declaration form ourselves, and tell the overseas sender to attach it to the parcel. This saves time for UPS to email you asking for it. The Tracking Number field can be left blank so the seller or UPS can fill it in themselves. - Since there is no official format of such a declaration, essentially it just needs to says what the parcel is and what it isn't. - To make it extra clear what the relevant rules are, the declaration form can contain small paragraphs to explain this is a VCRA controlled import, and the declaration is made for such control i.e. providing defence. Meaning, it is NOT firearms or other stuff requiring some sort of license, but an RIF or airsoft adjacent goods that are relevant to VCRA only. - The form made by UPS should do this job fine at telling what it is and isn't, but it is very basic and can confuse or spook a customs officer when they see some checkboxes for firearms, leading to them wrongly follow the procedures for firearms. So there is potential for a better version of a declaration form made specifically for RIFs and airsoft goods. 2. The parcel should have clear markings of "VCRA IMPORT SEE DECLARATION" and "UKARA NUMBER", to eliminate any excuse for customs officers (or police) to not look at the declaration attached. - As suggested by others some people are doing it in a hacky way like putting it as part of address. But if it isn't a big and bold and obvious label, it could be missed. It should be identifiable at first glance, like any other warning labels on other types of parcels. With 1+2, overseas retailers need to update their procedures for sending to the UK. We can probably draft some basic leaflets or paragraphs explaining what a new best practice might be. Which can then be copy pasted or emailed to the overseas shop. For example...

Trigger response: 13:1 faster than 16:1. Motor/battery stress: both will stress (13:1 will stress a bit more), but there is no practical difference.

I don't have the T238 brushless blue but I have heard nothing but good reports from it. Plenty of "builds" floating around reddit using it. I don't remember seeing much reports of failures. If I buy a new motor today that is the one I buy. The T238 blue. Whereas the Warheads are definitely last gen with their 10 ms start delay and slow ramping torque is not the best for trigger response.

I suggest spend a little bit more to get a brushless, specifically this one is really best bang for buck for trigger response for a motor:

---- https://www.colchester.gov.uk/info/cbc-article/?catid=latest-news&id=KA-04921 The only way forward (other than stopping) might actually be applying for planning. The council hinted at how you can gain planning permission, that is to "show a Biodiversity Net Gain". Which means, if the operator actually invests and build a site that can show Biodiversity Net Gain, the environmental concern is dealt with. It is very hard to achieve, as they say, but not impossible. So if they can design a game site that improves biodiversity, and have some consultant do an environmental assessment on such a design, then it could be approved, in theory. It is all decided by policies, if you follow the policies, they will have to approve. At least as far as the environmental concern goes. Of course, it takes money. With enough money, this is not an impossible situation.