Ordering From Hk to the UK

[blocks1]

any advice for a first timer ordering from asia?

i dont quite understand how over here in the uk you need to hand out your license to buy replias.. is this not the same when importing from asia then?

are there any stores to stay away from?

has anyone purchased from https://www.proactstore.com before?

when it comes to customs and vat, is it not possible to have them write on the box "returns for repair" or something to avoid the additional cost?

Regards all.

 

[Asomodai]

any advice for a first timer ordering from asia?

i dont quite understand how over here in the uk you need to hand out your license to buy replias.. is this not the same when importing from asia then?

are there any stores to stay away from?

has anyone purchased from https://www.proactstore.com before?

when it comes to customs and vat, is it not possible to have them write on the box "returns for repair" or something to avoid the additional cost?

Regards all.

So not only are you trying to import without an easily provable valid defense, but you also want to commit Customs fraud? That wouldn't look great on the sport of Airsoft does it?

A valid UKARA needs to be written on the box of anything you import so that if customs find it in a random search, you can get it released easily. If you cant prove a valid defense the rifle can be destroyed and you in hot water legally. (Possible fine or sentence.)

UKARA is the one provable method of a defense that Border Force recognise and has a form of access to.

Read what happened to me and I was lucky enough to have a UKARA number on the box and could insist on them checking it as proof of my defense. 

https://airsoft-forums.uk/topic/47276-rs-t97-is-home/

 

[Tackle]

"LICENSE"

View attachment 61041

 

[Tommikka]

any advice for a first timer ordering from asia?

i dont quite understand how over here in the uk you need to hand out your license to buy replias.. is this not the same when importing from asia then?

are there any stores to stay away from?

has anyone purchased from https://www.proactstore.com before?

when it comes to customs and vat, is it not possible to have them write on the box "returns for repair" or something to avoid the additional cost?

Regards all.

1) When buying in the UK the retailer is liable under the VCRA.  if they sell a RIF to an individual who does not have a valid ‘defence’ then they are liable to a fine in £thousands

When importing you are liable. Many Hong Kong retailers are aware and ask for you UKARA number to put on the label 

If you are over 18 you can buy an IF without a defence

2) Look through the forum for feedback on retailers, and buy from a UK retailer to support the industry, pay only the price they list with all taxes included, and you have someone more local to deal with issues

3) Hong Kong’s favourite customs fraud is to label as commercial samples valued at $0.01

Customs / Border Force know every trick

If you import then expect to pay an extra 20% import VAT, fees from the carrier that hold the item from £8 to £20, and depending on total value and item classification there may be import duty

 (All calculated on full value including postage, and they will look at the invoice which differs from the $9.01 declaration or reassess the value themselves)

 

[Rogerborg]

any advice for a first timer ordering from asia?

i dont quite understand how over here in the uk you need to hand out your license to buy replias.. is this not the same when importing from asia then?

Yes, it's the same.  Get your UKARA number put on the packaging.  If you don't have UKARA, or some other defence - of which you are able to provide evidence - then be prepared to have the goods seized and destroyed.

when it comes to customs and vat, is it not possible to have them write on the box "returns for repair" or something to avoid the additional cost?

Oh, sure, it's entirely possible for the sender to screw themselves by making a fraudulent declaration.  Why would they though?  Until it's delivered into your sweaty hands, the risk lies with them.  The same applies to having them under-value it for customs purposes - if it's lost or destroyed, they're out of pocket.

 

[blocks1]

So not only are you trying to import without an easily provable valid defense, but you also want to commit Customs fraud? That wouldn't look great on the sport of Airsoft does it?

A valid UKARA needs to be written on the box of anything you import so that if customs find it in a random search, you can get it released easily. If you cant prove a valid defense the rifle can be destroyed and you in hot water legally. (Possible fine or sentence.)

UKARA is the one provable method of a defense that Border Force recognise and has a form of access to.

Read what happened to me and I was lucky enough to have a UKARA number on the box and could insist on them checking it as proof of my defense. 

https://airsoft-forums.uk/topic/47276-rs-t97-is-home/

great answers from everyone thankyou!

That clears up everything i wanted to know, i'm very pleased i didnt go ahead and place an order based on the responses here.

i never said i was going out of my way to committ fraud more so avoid it, as the comments have suggested if anyone is going to committ fraud its more likley on the side of the supplier, not the person reciving the parcel. on the topic of UKARA its a simple one, if you want a replica without the license then just buy secondhand - dont vent on me, vent on the gov for ridiculous legislation.

 

[EvilMonkee]

great answers from everyone thankyou!

That clears up everything i wanted to know, i'm very pleased i didnt go ahead and place an order based on the responses here.

i never said i was going out of my way to committ fraud more so avoid it, as the comments have suggested if anyone is going to committ fraud its more likley on the side of the supplier, not the person reciving the parcel. on the topic of UKARA its a simple one, if you want a replica without the license then just buy secondhand - dont vent on me, vent on the gov for ridiculous legislation.

Its not a license, its just one way of proving your defence.  Also, any reputable airsofter will ask for your UKARA number before selling to you or they are also committing an offence, albeit one hard to actually be caught at

 

[hitmanNo2]

i never said i was going out of my way to committ fraud more so avoid it, as the comments have suggested if anyone is going to committ fraud its more likley on the side of the supplier, not the person reciving the parcel. on the topic of UKARA its a simple one, if you want a replica without the license then just buy secondhand - dont vent on me, vent on the gov for ridiculous legislation.

when it comes to customs and vat, is it not possible to have them write on the box "returns for repair" or something to avoid the additional cost?

 

[BigStew]

On top of all that has been said you are now going to have transport issues. At the moment many Asian retailers aren't shipping internationally or only using ships so it could take months fora delivery. If you can buy in the UK you really are no longer saving much by importing.

 

[Tommikka]

, if you want a replica without the license then just buy secondhand -

No.  An individual who sells a RIF to anyone who doesn’t have a defence risks the same fine that a retailer could face

vent on the gov for ridiculous legislation.

It’s not ridiculous legislation if you were the kid who pulled out his toy BB gun to show the armed response team who were called out to him and his mates, nor is it ridiculous legislation for the officer who in a fraction of a second doubted what he saw before him with the barrel of a pistol facing him and hesitated

If he followed his training to the letter then a young boy would be dead and a police officer would be living the nightmares of shooting an innocent child

 

[Rogerborg]

I'm inferring from your posts here and previously that you've managed to obtain a used RIF G17 without any consequences.  We know this is possible, and it does highlight the practical futility of trying to keep RIFs out of the hands of people who lack a defence.  Particularly as no offence is committed by the buyer (if over 18): I stress that you've done nothing wrong, and I'm making no accusation.

However.

The law may be an ass, but the fact (narrative / belief) that the current law is working and being generally followed is what's stopping our hobby from being donkey-punched into submission.  The defence for airsoft use was pencilled in later after the VCRA was written, and it's still only listed in the law as "permitted activities", with airsoft being "permitted" solely by being mentioned in an advisory Home Office circular without even a name on it.

That advice could be changed at any time, and the airsoft defence removed essentially on the whim of an anonymous bureaucrat, let alone a politician.

So I would urge you to make your intentions concrete and go and play airsoft at an insured skirmish site before trying to obtain any more RIFs.

Consider that once you're actually playing, and have a vested interest in continuing to do so, you may view these "How do I get around...?" style questions a little less charitably.

 

[Cannonfodder]

Re who's responsible for Customs declarations being correct, please see section 2.1 paragraph 2

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users#postal-packages-imported-arriving-from-countries-outside-the-uk-or-eu

View attachment 61063

Also it's licenCe. We're not yanks

 

[Rogerborg]

Also it's licenCe. We're not yanks

It's a defense.

 

[Nick G]

I think Cannonfodder was just correcting the spelling there ? 

Actually I vote that Cannonfodder should review every post and correct the spelling, none of that nasty american nonsense ! and the offender should get a stern telling off. Grammatical errors on the other hand should result in the offender being strung up by the thumbs for a day or two. Stamp out the bloody 'text speak' or jive ! ?

 

[Cannonfodder]

I think Cannonfodder was just correcting the spelling there ? 

I was

It's a defense.

Also spelt with a C, not a S

 

[Rogerborg]

[defence is] also spelt with a C, not a S

It wasn't my best bait, but it still got a bite.

View attachment 61072

 

[Nick G]

Dear God, that actually makes me cringe ?  Must be my age !

 

[blocks1]

Re who's responsible for Customs declarations being correct, please see section 2.1 paragraph 2

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users/notice-143-a-guide-for-international-post-users#postal-packages-imported-arriving-from-countries-outside-the-uk-or-eu

View attachment 61063

Also it's licenCe. We're not yanks

My local post office staff always suggest ticking the gift/other box when sending stuff abroad whenever I have gone in there. 

Just saying.. I don't want to ruffle anymore feathers here than I have already with my initial questions lol 

I am curious to know more about the ukara with regards to have received a rif as a gift from someone, what are the grounds in this circumstance? 

Regards all. 

 

[Tommikka]

My local post office staff always suggest ticking the gift/other box when sending stuff abroad whenever I have gone in there. 

Just saying.. I don't want to ruffle anymore feathers here than I have already with my initial questions lol 

I am curious to know more about the ukara with regards to have received a rif as a gift from someone, what are the grounds in this circumstance? 

Regards all. 

‘Gift’ on a customs declaration changes the threshold for import duty / import VAT.  (You have a slightly higher allowance before duty / VAT are payable)

’Gifting’ of RIFs relates to people who are too young to buy.

The VCRA covers sale, import,

manufacture/modification.  Therefore the gifting can be to someone who hasn’t qualified for UKARA.

 

[Asomodai]

I am curious to know more about the ukara with regards to have received a rif as a gift from someone, what are the grounds in this circumstance? 

Gifting in that sense is when someone who has a provable defense such as a UKARA, literally gives you something for free. No money can change hands, so you cant give them money and then they purchase something and gift it to you. 

Stop trying to find ways around it that go against the spirit of the regs, it's blindingly obvious what you are trying to do. Get your UKARA so you dont have to take any risks with importing and not bringing Airsoft into disrepute.

Whats so hard in that? It's not even hard to get.