Does VCRA apply to buying parts/components?

[Aisoft 256]

Hi

 

Does VCRA apply to airsoft components (i.e. receivers, hand guards, etc.)? Would I be able to buy them online (eg from AliExpress) or will they still be seized by customs for being firearm components?

 

Thanks 

[E21A]

It’s a bit of an odd one this, ive ordered such things many times and been fine. However I got some magazines from the Far East on one occasion and had to make a bloody firearms declaration! 

[Tommikka]

51 minutes ago, Aisoft 256 said:

Hi

 

Does VCRA apply to airsoft components (i.e. receivers, hand guards, etc.)? Would I be able to buy them online (eg from AliExpress) or will they still be seized by customs for being firearm components?

 

Thanks 

The VCRA does not define component parts, if considered a firearms component then that would be due to the Firearms Act

 

If you had a two tone IF and were buying replacement parts for the coloured elements to modify into a RIF then the VCRA would only apply at the point in time that you make the change, not at customs.

 

However customs don’t need to look in the package to decide to send you a declaration. Hong Kong and other Eastern suppliers are known for false customs declarations.  In the same way that there are high risk countries for drug smuggling, a potential airsoft package could be put aside and you get a declaration form.

Just because you get a form does not mean you have to show UKARA membership - the answer to the first question of the declaration could be “No, it is not a RIF

[Uncle Pauly]

1 hour ago, E21A said:

It’s a bit of an odd one this, ive ordered such things many times and been fine. However I got some magazines from the Far East on one occasion and had to make a bloody firearms declaration! 

 

I had to do the same when I purchased a Tokyo Marui MWS part from Evike in the UK.

 

Took many emails back and forth to get the form filled in correctly with the people at UPS. Had to explain in detail why I wanted the part and what it would be used for. But of course the Customs people knew feck all about the workings of airsoft rifles... and so me trying to explain that it was a "lightweight bolt carrier designed to improve the cycle rate and gas efficiency" proved rather confusing for everyone involved. It did eventually get the all clear - partly because I think they gave up trying to understand what I was banging on about.

[proffrink]

Never had an issue even ordering the most obscure of parts, but I'm beginning to believe that's blind luck as quite a few people have been caught out (wrongly really as VCRA covers the point of assembly/manufacture when it comes to parts). Ask yourself if holding one of these parts in your hand would make one mistake you for someone holding a gun - if the answer is 'no', then you are probably fine.

 

Worst case it gets held up at border force as you explain it. Typically they aren't going to need a UKARA number or anything like that - they will just want to make sure it's not some crucial internal part of a real firearm that needs to be properly declared.

[ak2m4]

3 hours ago, Uncle Pauly said:

 

I had to do the same when I purchased a Tokyo Marui MWS part from Evike in the UK.

 

Took many emails back and forth to get the form filled in correctly with the people at UPS. Had to explain in detail why I wanted the part and what it would be used for. But of course the Customs people knew feck all about the workings of airsoft rifles... and so me trying to explain that it was a "lightweight bolt carrier designed to improve the cycle rate and gas efficiency" proved rather confusing for everyone involved. It did eventually get the all clear - partly because I think they gave up trying to understand what I was banging on about.

 

Are you sure it was customs with the problem or just UPS?  UPS policy is no firearms and I believe that includes parts for a firearm.  Quite a few couriers have this kind of policy in place, I imagine they do this in order to avoid potential issues and hold-ups with customs.  If anyone knows a little more about this I'd be interested to hear about the process

[Guest DrAlexanderTobacco]

 

^^^ This happened to a friend of mine

 

Something to consider, though I definitely think it was an edge case.

[Uncle Pauly]

1 hour ago, ak2m4 said:

 

Are you sure it was customs with the problem or just UPS?  UPS policy is no firearms and I believe that includes parts for a firearm.  Quite a few couriers have this kind of policy in place, I imagine they do this in order to avoid potential issues and hold-ups with customs.  If anyone knows a little more about this I'd be interested to hear about the process

 

It could well have been UPS. I had to fill in a firearms declaration and they told me that the request for this (and explanatory info) came from UK Customs, but I don't doubt that it might have actually been an internal issue with UPS themselves.

 

If it helps anyone to know, I didn't have UKARA at the time but that didn't cause any problems. The difficult part was just trying to explain the purpose of the part and why I needed it.

[ak2m4]

2 minutes ago, Uncle Pauly said:

 

It could well have been UPS. I had to fill in a firearms declaration and they told me that the request for this (and explanatory info) came from UK Customs, but I don't doubt that it might have actually been an internal issue with UPS themselves.

 

If it helps anyone to know, I didn't have UKARA at the time but that didn't cause any problems. The difficult part was just trying to explain the purpose of the part and why I needed it.

 

I've had to sign a few of those declarations before.  I ordered a RIF from TG couple of weeks ago, I put my old 2009 expired UKARA number on the box, didn't get stopped or questioned.  Go figure...

[Asomodai]

56 minutes ago, ak2m4 said:

 

I've had to sign a few of those declarations before.  I ordered a RIF from TG couple of weeks ago, I put my old 2009 expired UKARA number on the box, didn't get stopped or questioned.  Go figure...

 

From my well documented experiences trying to get my T97 through customs. They do random searches of shipments from random countries. They'll take a huge pile of parcels coming in from one country and check them over. It is possible RIFS will go through with an expired or non existent UKARA number as they cant and don't check every parcel. 

 

However, when they do find something in a random search, even if there is a UKARA number, they will seize it and send a notice of seizure as most 1st line officers at Dover dont know what a UKARA is and even if they did, they dont have the authorisation to release it.

 

It was then sent to a specialist who had firearms training (Which includes a large section on airsoft) in Birmingham. I had to ring up and re-iterate my UKARA number and the reasons why I can have the RIF and eventually it was released. 

 

However if I did not have a UKARA. It would have been destroyed and I would have been prosecuted for attempting to bring an illegal item into the UK with no defense. Which results in a fine and/or prison sentence. 

 

So sure, RIFS can get through without a UKARA number, but not every time. Even with a UKARA number is was pretty worrying for me! It's not worth the risk IMO.

[Aisoft 256]

8 hours ago, Tommikka said:

The VCRA does not define component parts, if considered a firearms component then that would be due to the Firearms Act

 

If you had a two tone IF and were buying replacement parts for the coloured elements to modify into a RIF then the VCRA would only apply at the point in time that you make the change, not at customs.

 

However customs don’t need to look in the package to decide to send you a declaration. Hong Kong and other Eastern suppliers are known for false customs declarations.  In the same way that there are high risk countries for drug smuggling, a potential airsoft package could be put aside and you get a declaration form.

Just because you get a form does not mean you have to show UKARA membership - the answer to the first question of the declaration could be “No, it is not a RIF

So as of right now I have a two tone M4a1 IF (with the receiver and stock in blue) and parts of both the upper and lower receiver has been damaged. 

 

I found a nylon upper and lower receiver  at a cheap price at AliExpress which I’d like to purchase (if you’re wondering, I can’t go to a repair shop since the nearest one is 4 hours) however I don’t have UKARA membership and the item itself is black (why I’m asking if it’s legal to import it). 
 

I am planning to paint it blue not modify it into an RIF but the custom officers won’t know that or believe it (let alone understand what the significance of that is). If the receivers were to be painted blue before imported, would they be ok to pass since they are now 2 toned and not an RIF? 
 

Thing is I doubt the AliExpress seller will be willing to paint it for me and only care about the payment since I asked about the original black receiver and they “reassured” me that it can pass customs. 
 

Is there anything else I can do?

 

Thanks all for the answers

[ak2m4]

you got a link to it on Aliexpress?  I've ordered loads of these from there over the last few years, never had a problem.  Be careful quite a lot on there are for Gel Blasters.  If you post the link we can check it for you

[Aisoft 256]

23 minutes ago, ak2m4 said:

you got a link to it on Aliexpress?  I've ordered loads of these from there over the last few years, never had a problem.  Be careful quite a lot on there are for Gel Blasters.  If you post the link we can check it for you

I can’t find the link through the internet but it’s saved on someone else’s account. I did throughly check to make sure it’s for airsoft not for gel blasters (ie reviews, size and other small details like branding).

 

I did see quite a lot of gel ball blaster receivers but wouldn’t the same restrictions apply to them as well as air soft? 

[Tommikka]

2 hours ago, Aisoft 256 said:

So as of right now I have a two tone M4a1 IF (with the receiver and stock in blue) and parts of both the upper and lower receiver has been damaged. 

 

I found a nylon upper and lower receiver  at a cheap price at AliExpress which I’d like to purchase (if you’re wondering, I can’t go to a repair shop since the nearest one is 4 hours) however I don’t have UKARA membership and the item itself is black (why I’m asking if it’s legal to import it). 
 

I am planning to paint it blue not modify it into an RIF but the custom officers won’t know that or believe it (let alone understand what the significance of that is). If the receivers were to be painted blue before imported, would they be ok to pass since they are now 2 toned and not an RIF? 
 

Thing is I doubt the AliExpress seller will be willing to paint it for me and only care about the payment since I asked about the original black receiver and they “reassured” me that it can pass customs. 
 

Is there anything else I can do?

 

Thanks all for the answers

Technically speaking you don’t need the parts to be brightly coloured on arrival.

They won’t be a RIF and to keep your M4s IF status you don’t need to paint the same parts, under the VCRA it needs to be 50% in one of the bright colours to qualify as a RIF.

 

 

If your intent is to play ‘Airsoft skirmishing’ at an insured site then you would qualify to the word of the law in the VCRA. (The UKARA is an industry scheme to enable sellers to have taken reasonable measures to ensure a buyers legitimate intent)

However there is the possibility of you losing your money if it arrives and you can’t get it through, or that you come to the attention of the authorities.

Establishing UKARA membership would document it and make things much easier.

 

 

1 hour ago, Aisoft 256 said:

I can’t find the link through the internet but it’s saved on someone else’s account. I did throughly check to make sure it’s for airsoft not for gel blasters (ie reviews, size and other small details like branding).

 

I did see quite a lot of gel ball blaster receivers but wouldn’t the same restrictions apply to them as well as air soft? 

The VCRA restrictions are not specific to airsoft, (the skirmish defence is airsoft specific) 

A gel ball blaster would be subject to the VCRA, and unless it qualified as an IF due to size, being clear or coloured etc then one of the VCRA defences would be required.

 

I have a number of definate RIFs, and also many more that a casual observer could think was a firearm, which then legally makes them RIFs.

I am not an airsofter, and don’t intend to play.

I have imported in the past, and filled in declarations. I have either succeeded in my claim that particular items were not RIFs or my intended use and UKPSF paintball membership were accepted. (Many years prior to the Home Office stating that UKPSF membership may be acceptable)

I’m also aware of others having had packages seized and destroyed

[Aisoft 256]

So this got me thinking onto another question, can other products related to airsoft be imported?

 

Could I buy a 1911 holster through AliExpress or eBay?

 

(I only just started airsoft if you were wondering, thanks)

[BigStew]

29 minutes ago, Aisoft 256 said:

So this got me thinking onto another question, can other products related to airsoft be imported?

 

Could I buy a 1911 holster through AliExpress or eBay?

 

(I only just started airsoft if you were wondering, thanks)

no restrictions on holsters. how ever i wouldn't cheap out on a holster.

[Cannonouscrash]

Hi all, thought I'd jump on after reading this thread.

 

Having bought before thought, I've search high and low for some additional pistol mags and 'how to add a tracer unit to the pistol' parts. I found everything I need at Evike and cant find the magazines or replacement barrel anywhere else.

 

I don't have a UKARA defence yet, but being a member of a skirmish site is seemingly a defence enough for some shop/s.

 

In reading this thread, I assume that my parts would come under the umbrella of needing a proper defence or fingers crossed they just slip through. Should I wait until I have a defence to buy them, or chance it?

 

EDIT: Evike just responded to my law query on this and said 

Quote

Dear Customer,

 

Thank you for contacting Evike.com!

 

You should not need a permit or UKARA number for the items you have listed.

 

Please feel free to let me know if you have any further questions.

Thank you and have a great day!

 

[Tommikka]

11 hours ago, Cannonouscrash said:

.......

 

I don't have a UKARA defence yet, but being a member of a skirmish site is seemingly a defence enough for some shop/s.

.....

 

The UKARA is just an industry scheme.

The VCRA is the legislation.

 

The ‘skirmisher defence’ was added by ‘statutory instrument’ to supplement the other defences directly listed in the VCRA.

 

When a RIF is sold it is the sellers responsibility to ensure that the buyers intent is for one of the valid defences.

When it is imported it is the importers responsibility 

 

UKARA is a scheme that documents a valid player, but the UKARA is not in legislation.  Retailers can accept whatever they like, but they have the potential risk of a high £ fine for sales that they cannot reasonably justify as valid.

It would be fair to say that site membership implies that, unless for example if membership is just given to everyone who plays once.

 

[Rogerborg]

1 hour ago, Tommikka said:

When it is imported it is the importers responsibility

 

Point of order, the S36 offence is: "he brings a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain or causes one to be brought into Great Britain"

 

Everyone in the chain - purchaser, any UK importer, the Polish bloke driving the truck for that matter - needs a defence.

[Tommikka]

3 hours ago, Rogerborg said:

 

Point of order, the S36 offence is: "he brings a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain or causes one to be brought into Great Britain"

 

Everyone in the chain - purchaser, any UK importer, the Polish bloke driving the truck for that matter - needs a defence.

Very good point:

There is the ‘defence’ in the VCRA specific context which we often refer to (skirmisher, theatrical etc) and the standard English ‘defence’ from prosecution in court etc

[Cannonouscrash]

I... err... pulled the trigger so to speak, lets home a skirmisher membership is enough of a defence should the question be asked.

[Lozart]

I've bought loads of parts from Aliexpress and have never had any of them stopped by customs (famous last words and all that).

[Sir Chops]

I've just ordered a cheapo chinesium suppressor from Aliexpress and it's gone through heathrow no problems, just waiting for it to get to my local delivery office. 

 

I know a lot of it will depend on how the package is labelled and what it looks like (ie if it says "gun parts" then a red flag would be raised. I think the majority of those sellers are wise to this and try and make it being stopped as unlikely as possible.