Purchasing an accessory from a RS retailer - risk assesment?

[Zarrin]

Afternoon all, 

I am eyeing up this - when and if it comes back in stock I may pick one up.

But I am feeling a little cautious about the implications of purchasing/importing from a real steel accessory retailer (imagining firearms component scrawled over the parcel description ?)

I think I would definitely contact them beforehand and ask how they would in fact label the parcel.

But let's say i'm unlucky and customs do pick it up; i'm wondering if it is in fact an accessory that came from a retailer that caters for RS, would that effect their release decision even if I explain it was for legal use.

And more importantly, could that get me in trouble if they rule against me. I suppose it comes down to what extent components like furniture are actually regulated.

It may also come down to the disposition and knowledge of the agent who handles the case.

Any experience or advice in such cases?

 

 

[Lozart]

I don't think it's an issue:

All other parts including any items such as magazines, sights and other attachable accessories along with firearms furniture such as grips and stocks are not considered to be component parts and as a result do not require an import licence.  

Firearms accessories 32. The only accessories that require an import licence are items designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon. No other firearm accessory, e.g. sights, tripods, bags, belts etc., requires an import licence.

Polenar use DHL so at least you won't have the joy of having to provide a firearms declaration (probably). Obviously you'll have to factor in the import duty and VAT and "handling fees".

 

[MistakenMexican]

as @Lozartsaid, it’s not illegal.

But it’s a frustrating grey area that can land you in some trouble. Largest, most likely risk is that customs will confiscate it and you’ll lose it along with your money.

I know a couple of lads who’ve been flagged (and visited) by police due to purchasing numerous items of RS furniture directly from US and Europe (Poland I think). Nothing came of it, but it’s always a shock when you get a knock at 6am from police and then asked to present at a police station for an interview.

There’s nothing illegal about it, but if you’re buying dozens of AK hand guards in a country where no one can legally own an AK… It raises red flags.

I’ve never met anyone who’s fallen foul of this, but there’s always a rumour floating around that if you buy one too many items from Brownells UK, you’ll get a knock on the door ?

 

[Zarrin]

Thanks gents.

Good to know that it is not actually a regulated item, so even if it does get seized by someone having a bad day, wanting to take it out on little old me, there should not be any legal implications.

 

[rj1986]

As others have mentioned, it should be ok. I think the short version of the law is "Pressure bearing parts = naughty list".

 

[Anonymoose]

I imported a genuine HK G3 navy lower (and some other G3 parts) from the US without issue.

Just had them marked as "Airsoft Parts" on the customs form.

 

[Zarrin]

Just had them marked as "Airsoft Parts" on the customs form.

Yeah I was thinking about asking them to do that too ?

Out of interest, how easy was it to mod the lower for an AEG or GBB ?
And made me also wonder if a real trigger pack would work on a GBB ?

 

[Anonymoose]

Yeah I was thinking about asking them to do that too ?

Out of interest, how easy was it to mod the lower for an AEG or GBB ?
And made me also wonder if a real trigger pack would work on a GBB ?

It went on a VFC GBB, it was a direct fit. VFC trigger pack dropped right in, only needed the navy fire selector as the cam is longer than the one for stamped lowers.

I think real trigger packs will work on the GBBs, but not sure there's any advantage.

 

[Impulse]

I've never had issues ordering from Brownells at least. There's nothing illegal about owning firearms parts, unless you're buying them to build a gun from scratch, but again, I've had no issues and I've bought a decent amount of stuff.

Real-steel firearms aren't actually illegal in the UK, just heavily regulated. In terms of single action guns, we can legally own some pretty nutty things as long as you've got the paperwork to back it up, and that's the difficult bit  

 

[BigAl]

It comes down to whether there prepared to export it as it may well be an ITAR item.  I was after getting a mate ( who had a custom airsoft buisness at the time ) to import me a rail and after a few months trying we gave up. Does Brownells UK not have anything suitable? Id it is it is a very serious crime to export it without the proper paperwork which takes months and costs a fortune.

Its perfectly legal in the UK ( only pressure baring parts are licensed ), it may raise interest from Plod but just tell them what it for and they'll go away happy.

 

[Lozart]

It comes down to whether there prepared to export it as it may well be an ITAR item.  I was after getting a mate ( who had a custom airsoft buisness at the time ) to import me a rail and after a few months trying we gave up. Does Brownells UK not have anything suitable? Id it is it is a very serious crime to export it without the proper paperwork which takes months and costs a fortune.

Its perfectly legal in the UK ( only pressure baring parts are licensed ), it may raise interest from Plod but just tell them what it for and they'll go away happy.

ITAR is only for exports from the US. OP is looking to buy in Europe. Furniture doesn't require an import licence or anything for import to the UK.

 

[BigAl]

My mistake, thought they where in USA.  No problem then import away.

 

[hunter511]

I have had plod turn up after I ordered a streamlight tlr1 and a holster from the states. They turned up and asked a few questions, it was all rather civil and happened about 4 weeks after I'd recieved the items.

 

[Zarrin]

I have had plod turn up after I ordered a streamlight tlr1 and a holster from the states. They turned up and asked a few questions, it was all rather civil and happened about 4 weeks after I'd received the items.

My local plods from Surrey police are actually aware of my airsoft kit as I was burgled in 2014 and lost a number of RIFS, the officer they sent to interview me a few days later was actually a regular at my closest site Epsom tunnels so he was very sympathetic to the trauma of losing all those pieces - was nice to start that conversation without an air of being interrogated as to WHY YOU GOT GUNS, and instead bonded over our shared hobby ? - we also had a good conversation about using RIFs in self defence in a home invasion scenario from a legal stand point; took away some interesting pointers.

 

[Chev Chelios]

 the officer they sent to interview me a few days later was actually a regular at my closest site Epsom tunnels so he was very sympathetic to the trauma of losing all those pieces

Did his name begin with M by chance? If so top bloke. 

 

[Zarrin]

Did his name begin with M by chance? If so top bloke. 

Hmm If I remember correctly his name was C**** usually short for C********** ??