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Importing Airsoft gun (IF) into UK

Im sorry for reopening this thread.
Im about to move back to the UK from Portugal and Im doing so by ferry boat. I dont want to leave my MWS behind =(

The portuguese law requires you to paint the stock and the flash hider of your RIF. Do you know if, holding the proof that the gun is mine, i am also registered in the Portuguese Airsoft Association ( UKARA look a like ), and the gun painted as the portuguese law says so, would I be " breaking " the law regarding the UK law ?
You need a valid U.K. defence to import a RIF

It’s more nuanced than that, but essentially that simple

 
I think if its painted you should be OK though according to UK law the foregrip should also be painted.

 
It needs to be:

UK legal on the power (joules …. But measured via velocity FPS and BB weight)

Then either an IF or a RiF with a defence

IF = over 50% of the body in one of the appointed bright colours

RIF = you need to be recognised that your purpose on import is for it to be used for airsoft skirmishing 

They expect UKARA, but you may or may not get through via your current status 

 
Details for legal power limits





Locality


Max FPS for auto


Max FPS for semi






England, Wales


1.3J


374fps ﹫ 0.20g


2.5J


518fps ﹫ 0.20g




Scotland


1.3J


374fps ﹫ 0.20g


2.5J


518fps ﹫ 0.20g




Northern Ireland


1.0J


328fps ﹫ 0.20g


1.0J


328fps ﹫ 0.20g







NOTE that these are legal limits but site limits to play are are lower.  Usually 350 for auto, 400 for semi and 500 for bolt action

 
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I think im gonna leave my RIF in Portugal, get my UKARA and then come back to pick my RIF. Its more wise and I dont wanna take the chance of my RIF getting confiscated.

Thanks a lot guys.

 
Apologies for the thread revival, thought it best not to open a new one.

Does anyone know how long UK Customs take to check a RIF import?

I ordered a Specna Arms from Gunfire in Poland which arrived in the UK last week. At first it was checked and released by a Government agency, I was charged import fees, so far so good. Then it went in to the warehouse and hasn't moved since.

I contacted UPS to be told it is being held for a customs examination.

Does anyone know how long these examinations usually take?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Apologies for the thread revival, thought it best not to open a new one.

Does anyone know how long UK Customs take to check a RIF import?

I ordered a Specna Arms from Gunfire in Poland which arrived in the UK last week. At first it was checked and released by a Government agency, I was charged import fees, so far so good. Then it went in to the warehouse and hasn't moved since.

I contacted UPS to be told it is being held for a customs examination.

Does anyone know how long these examinations usually take?
Anything from a few days to my worse was 6 weeks. I think I have heard of worse.

 
Ouch, that is not good news. Thanks for letting me know.

Weirdly enough, I ordered a sniper rifle from Novritsch which sailed through everything. I prepaid a very low import fee and Novritsch completed the customs declaration as well.

Think I'll order more from them in future instead of Gunfire.

 
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If it’s at Stanford of No Hope , as said could be a week , could be the 35th of Neverember

 
I guess I got lucky, package cleared customs examination late last night and is on its way to me. Delivery today or most probably tomorrow.
Received my order, box is quite damaged but the items inside are OK. Either customs treated the parcel very badly or Gunfire used insufficient packaging. I cannot be sure if the gun box was in another box :(

 
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I'd assume Customs went in ham-fisted hoping that this time they'd be busting the Lord of War, rather than finding more assault-style-toys.

Great news that the contents were fine anyway.

 
Hi everyone,could someone advise me,I have put myself in weird position,basically has been ordered the Rif from Poland with slightly bigger velocity which is 390 fps,at the moment the parcel has been stock on border control ,anyone know why would happen now?would I be able to send it back?thanks
 
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