Returning to UK with purchased AEG

[Exeth]

HI.

I am currently a student studying abroad in Japan and i only got into airsoft with some experienced friends shortly before leaving the UK.

While in Japan i came across a great deal on a RIF WA1911 which i purchased and i am now wondering how to get it home as i am not UKARA registered.

I have been reading up all the laws and i am a little confused over the matter of how to get it home as i would be loath to part with it.

are any of the following viable options?

If i mail it back to my home address or take it with me in my checked luggage i am guessing i will fall foul of the no importing Rifs law?

Alternatively if i spray half of the gun would that make it legal? (just curious, not wanting to ruin the gun)

Leave it with a friend here in Japan, come home and get UKARA membership and then have my friend ship it to my home address?

Any advice would be fantastic, regards

 

[BaggyPants]

Leave it with a friend here in Japan, come home and get UKARA membership and then have my friend ship it to my home address?

Not necessarily UKARA, but get a defence sorted, then get it posted to you with details of the defence fixed to the package, along with all your contact details for UKBA.

 

[Exeth]

other than UKARA i am not sure what you mean by defence.

 

[BaggyPants]

Proof that you are a skirmisher, reenactor or one of the other defences and exemptions laid out in the VCR act. UKARA is a retailers organisation, set up to cover their backs. It is not the only way to comply with the act.

 

[Exeth]

Proof that you are a skirmisher, reenactor or one of the other defences and exemptions laid out in the VCR act. UKARA is a retailers organisation, set up to cover their backs. It is not the only way to comply with the act.

Thanks a lot