Sending RIF in post without UKARA

[Neptune]

2 minutes ago, EDcase said:

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 🤔

 

Edited October 1, 2021 by EDcase

[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]

1 hour ago, EDcase said:

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]

1 hour ago, Neptune said:

"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...

 

 

Edited October 2, 2021 by EDcase

[Rogerborg]

2 hours ago, Tommikka said:

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".

 

11 hours ago, EDcase said:

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

 

I assume the opposite, from reading the same words.  

 

11 hours ago, EDcase said:

“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.