Sending RIF in post without UKARA

[EDcase]

Yeah, its confusing ?

Its probably safer to declare them as 'low-powered air weapons'

Still depends a lot on who deals with the particular package and the knowledge of their supervisor...? 

 

[GeorgePlaysAirsoft]

Yeah, its confusing ?

Its probably safer to declare them as 'low-powered air weapons'

Still depends a lot on who deals with the particular package and the knowledge of their supervisor...? 

ha agreed. when i did send (and if i say so myself, a pretty expensive one with some bespoke machined parts that i wanted fitted) via PF48 i 1) declared it as a "LPAW" 2) didn't bother insuring it 3) nearly shat myself at the thought of something going wrong!

I have had a very good experience with camoraids for all sorts of reasons but that they arrange pick up and drop off themselves rather then leaving you to it is a massive bonus for me.

thanks again

 

[2MT Paul]

Couriers and postal services are fickle.

I had 2 gas struts for my car delivered by ... ROYAL MAIL.

Returning for an RMA, sending via ROYAL MAIL ... REFUSED at the counter. The reason... Car Parts.

So its a game...

I used to work for TNT and the route I had included 4 RFD's where I would regularly be delivering ammunition, shotguns, Rifles and Pistols... 

So, couriers, pick one and ask, if the price is right they will ship it.

 

I had similar

Royal Mail would not let me post a steering wheel. it was a vintage so so it was not an airbag explosive issue.  Just its a steering wheel sir ??

 

[Neptune]

From ParcelForce website

I don't know where you got that information from, but the page below clearly says that replicas/imitations are not allowed.

https://www.parcelforce.com/help-and-advice/sending/prohibitions-and-restrictions

As has been mentioned, businesses can send them, but not individuals.

 

[EDcase]

Yes, that's what I posted earlier but yours is better.

It clearly states that you can send within the UK if using express48 service.

 

[Neptune]

Yes, that's what I posted earlier but yours is better.

It clearly states that you can send within the UK if using express48 service.

It says "No", which means it cannot be sent.

 

[EDcase]

The top section is about firearms with the EXCEPTION of low-powered air weapons which is covered in the section below.

Yeah as mentioned before, the 'imitation' weapons could be a problem if not covered by low-power air weapons.

It still remains the safest way to send RIFs that we have ?

 

[Neptune]

"All firearms, other than low-powered air weapons sent within the UK (air rifles, air guns and air pistols)"

Airsoft guns aren't air rifles, air guns or air pistols, same applies to paintball guns.

Airsoft would fall under imitation, or perhaps toy guns.

 

[Rogerborg]

It clearly states that you can send within the UK if using express48 service.

"Low-powered air weapons", yes.

"Imitations", no.

"Toy guns", no.

We joke around with this gun-vs-toy stuff a lot, but in this case, we should be listing as "low-powered air weapon", and nothing else.

 

[Tommikka]

"All firearms, other than low-powered air weapons sent within the UK (air rifles, air guns and air pistols)"

Airsoft guns aren't air rifles, air guns or air pistols, same applies to paintball guns.

Airsoft would fall under imitation, or perhaps toy guns.

Paintball guns are ‘low powered air weapons’ (and fire frangible projectiles)

Airsoft guns were, but there was an amendment to firearms legislation in which if they fall within the new definition of IF / RIF including the joules limit then they are no longer air weapons under firearms legislation and are covered only by the VCRA

 

[EDcase]

So we can't post RIFs at all then...

 

[Rogerborg]

Airsoft guns were, but there was an amendment to firearms legislation in which if they fall within the new definition of IF / RIF including the joules limit then they are no longer air weapons under firearms legislation and are covered only by the VCRA

This is the best kind of correct, but neither Act mentions "weapons", only firearms.  I'm not aware of any statutory definition of an "air weapon", low powered or otherwise.  Parcel Farce have chosen to use that vague term, and that brings up the principle of contra proferentem.  In a take-it-or-leave-it contract, any interpretation should go against the party that wrote it.

In this case, if they use a term that isn't well defined, they shouldn't get to then narrowly define what it means in their favour.

There's a lot of "shoulds" in there, mind, it's best to not gamble on nuances of law.

 

[EDcase]

Just came across this which states the same thing I said earlier.

https://www.kingdomofairsoft.com/postage-guidelines

They also assume we can classify airsoft guns as 'Low-powered air weapons'

“Arms and Ammunition - low powered air weapons Low-powered air weapons (air rifles, air guns and air pistols), together with lead pellets and other airgun and airsoft projectiles, can be sent but are subject to the following conditions:

1. These items must be sent on an express48 service only
   
2. These items must be sent via the Post Office only
   
3. Enhanced compensation cover is not available”
   

 

[Rogerborg]

Interestingly, it seems that Royal Mail themselves will carry actual firearms, but only up to "medium parcel" size, maximum 61cm.  Above that, you have to go with Parcel Force, who only carry "low powered air weapons".

They also assume we can classify airsoft guns as 'Low-powered air weapons'

I assume the opposite, from reading the same words.  

“Arms and Ammunition - low powered air weapons Low-powered air weapons (air rifles, air guns and air pistols), together with lead pellets and other airgun and airsoft projectiles, can be sent but are subject to the following conditions:

Note that they explicitly distinguish between and allow both airgun and airsoft projectiles.  However, under weapons, they only list "air rifles, air guns and air pistols", but not airsoft.

That's hugely infuriating, and the intent isn't clear at all.  And no, I don't think Doris at Post Office Counters will be an authoritative source, if legal push comes to shove. We just have to take the gamble.