UPS RIF Declaration for Parts

[Jacob Wright]

Yes their wording can be quite heavy. Unfortunately, nothing seems to move quickly as far as BF are concerned. 
 

I’m sorry to hear this has put you off taking up other shooting sports, hopefully your future experiences are less painful!

[Call23]

Hello, seen this conversation and it’s become relevant to me, wonder if anyone can help. I’m importing a handguard and magazines for a we msk and have to fill out a rif declaration form even though the parts I’m importing don’t constitute a rif. I don’t have ukara I have another defence for owning but there’s nowhere on the form to input that. As mentioned previously the form isn’t great and I have filled one out before if memory serves. Appreciate any help/clarification on the form

[Pseudotectonic]

Can you upload the form?

[Call23]

I got it sorted, delivery is on Wednesday.      Thanks though

On 07/01/2024 at 07:39, Pseudotectonic said:

Can you upload the form?

 

[xxmegashot]

On 05/01/2024 at 11:41, Call23 said:

Hello, seen this conversation and it’s become relevant to me, wonder if anyone can help. I’m importing a handguard and magazines for a we msk and have to fill out a rif declaration form even though the parts I’m importing don’t constitute a rif. I don’t have ukara I have another defence for owning but there’s nowhere on the form to input that. As mentioned previously the form isn’t great and I have filled one out before if memory serves. Appreciate any help/clarification on the form

Im in the exact same boat as you - imported a rif hanguard from evike via UPS and they want a rif declaration. As in the thread, the wording of the form is confusing and steers towards trying to get you to say something is a RIF when it’s just a part. Anyone got advice on what exactly to put and how to fill it out? I do have UKARA defence but that wouldn’t be needed or apply for a part right?

[Tommikka]

3 hours ago, xxmegashot said:

Im in the exact same boat as you - imported a rif hanguard from evike via UPS and they want a rif declaration. As in the thread, the wording of the form is confusing and steers towards trying to get you to say something is a RIF when it’s just a part. Anyone got advice on what exactly to put and how to fill it out? I do have UKARA defence but that wouldn’t be needed or apply for a part right?

 

 

Compare your form to the PDF in the first post of this thread

 

For the questions on that form you would put:

 

B RIF / parts = yes

C RIF = no and RIf part = yes

with your UKARA details inbetween 

 

Generally you would not need a defence for parts as it’s not a RIF, but the form could be used in the context of parts to modify an IF to RIF or for multiple imports of separate parts to ‘smuggle’ and manufacture a RIF

 

[Herrgh]

Just chucking my own experiences here - UPS have finally delivered to me some EPMs from WGCShop, but the package was previously inexplicably stuck at the

 

Import Scan
Castle Donington, United Kingdom

 

stage for ages, just going round and round continually getting import scanned. Turns out I needed to complete the dumb UPS-specific RIF declaration paperwork that has been previously mentioned aplenty in this thread.

 

I believe this was triggered by the words "DESC: Airsoft toy parts" on the parcel label.

 

But I would like to warn that UPS never contacted me about this. I had to go chasing them, which involved ringing them and getting an email address of a "Customs Clearance Advisor", who then forwarded me the paperwork to complete. I received two bits of paperwork:

 

• RIF DEC Aug22.doc
• Request for Clearance Instruction-HV.docx

 

Original (sanitised) files are attached below for your convenience.

 

The "RIF DEC" document I completed coincidentally exactly as @Tommikkasuggested - so this works:

On 04/06/2024 at 17:57, Tommikka said:

For the questions on that form you would put:

 

B RIF / parts = yes

C RIF = no and RIf part = yes

with your UKARA details inbetween 

 

The "Request for Clearance Instruction" was asking all sorts of questions that I didn't have a clue about:

 

Spoiler

 

Imgur link: https://imgur.com/a/TFsVOmD

 

So I just filled in what I could, which was the "Goods Description (plain language):" question, my typed "signature" (which defaulted to some Disneyesque font (lol)) and the date.

 

For EPM mags, I put "Airsoft plastic magazine (NOT RIF)" as the goods description.

 

I emphasise that I had to contact UPS (and them not contacting me) due to the revelation of this £14.60 daily warehousing fee on this document, which I would've been very cross if I had to pay because of their failure to get in touch. Maybe WGC didn't pass over my details, or maybe this charge is intended for big importers, not private individuals. I have no idea. But I would advise one move quickly to minimise the risk.

 

Hopefully this will help others in the same boat.

 

Request for Clearance Instruction-HV.docx RIF DEC Aug22.doc

Edited July 10, 2024 by Herrgh
Added likely trigger

[EvilMonkee]

And this is why you never use UPS as a shipping option.  WGC have other options available.

[Amokura]

My parcel via UPS for a PKM (downgraded below 1 joule) from gunfire.pl has yet to take flight to the UK, yet.

 

I had received a call and email minutes ago from UPS Customs Clearance with the above mentioned document for private RIF imports. I ought to have no issues, but will leave an update here in the meantime to see how smooth my experience is.

[Amokura]

4 hours ago, Amokura said:

My parcel via UPS for a PKM (downgraded below 1 joule) from gunfire.pl has yet to take flight to the UK, yet.

 

I had received a call and email minutes ago from UPS Customs Clearance with the above mentioned document for private RIF imports. I ought to have no issues, but will leave an update here in the meantime to see how smooth my experience is.

 

[Rogerborg]

Is that a declaration by the seller?  I'm puzzled as to why there's a velocity declaration in fps, rather than a Joules figure (ideally specifying what weight of BB it was tested with as well).

[Amokura]

The declaration is part of the now familiar RIF docx that UPS emails in regards to the item clearance. My replica was downgraded by gunfire.pl (for UK below 1 joule) and was stated in the printed invoice. I added 300 FPS as an "estimate" value - presuming 0.20g lol

In the meantime, my parcel is currently in the Stanford Le Hope UPS merry-go-round.
 

On 17/07/2024 at 08:45, Rogerborg said:

Is that a declaration by the seller?  I'm puzzled as to why there's a velocity declaration in fps, rather than a Joules figure (ideally specifying what weight of BB it was tested with as well).

[Amokura]

Whew. I'm hoping to have it arrive in the next day or two now.

 

[Amokura]

5 hours ago, Amokura said:

Whew. I'm hoping to have it arrive in the next day or two now.

 

Ouch, got hit with import fees + VAT + brokerage costs... Expected tbf, but not enjoy such a high up-front cost of nearly 1/3 of what I purchased... None the less a retailer new PKM is still far cheaper with all these add-on fees than to buy, if fortunate, new from a UK airsoft retailer.

[Rogerborg]

On 18/07/2024 at 16:34, Amokura said:

I added 300 FPS as an "estimate" value

 

Ah, OK. I'm just wondering why you'd specify fps rather than saying "1J".  Not a big deal as they've released it, I'm just curious.

 

Sorry to hear that you got mugged with all the costs, including the bill for being billed.

[Amokura]

Currently suffering with the Stanford Le Hope carousel! 😅

[Amokura]

On 31/07/2024 at 16:19, Amokura said:

Currently suffering with the Stanford Le Hope carousel! 😅

I have notified gunfire.pl's service to have them prompt or file a complaint to UPS. But, in the meantime, my parcel is still in at UPS Stanford after 32-days counting in transit.

Do I mind being patient and waiting for a RIF import that saves me hundreds? Ees. Would I do this again and import from EU again to run the chance of entering UPS parcel purgatory? No. Within my waiting time an A&K PKM (wood furniture) came in stock at a price for £649.99 .

[Amokura]

On 12/08/2024 at 15:34, Amokura said:

I have notified gunfire.pl's service to have them prompt or file a complaint to UPS. But, in the meantime, my parcel is still in at UPS Stanford after 32-days counting in transit.

Do I mind being patient and waiting for a RIF import that saves me hundreds? Ees. Would I do this again and import from EU again to run the chance of entering UPS parcel purgatory? No. Within my waiting time an A&K PKM (wood furniture) came in stock at a price for £649.99 .

After 5-weeks of waiting, it finally arrived. With all the invoices (UKARA, FPS/.J 0.20g etc), no tampering with the package, and a swift inspection by Border Customs. So as great as having the RIF be processed with no issues, it appears the waiting time may be a result of new implementations causing a queue or backlog of goods

 

[0mega]

On 05/01/2024 at 11:41, Call23 said:

Hello, seen this conversation and it’s become relevant to me, wonder if anyone can help. I’m importing a handguard and magazines for a we msk and have to fill out a rif declaration form even though the parts I’m importing don’t constitute a rif. I don’t have ukara I have another defence for owning but there’s nowhere on the form to input that. As mentioned previously the form isn’t great and I have filled one out before if memory serves. Appreciate any help/clarification on the form

Apologies folks,

For both necroposting AND also for not coming back with feedback regarding my initial forum post which could have been helpful to others. I hope I can close out this out with my feedback and it helps others going forward.

My issue was relating to importing PARTS and not an actual RIF/IF.
For importing RIF/IF's I still highly reccomend engaging with(and supporting) your local (or at least UK based) retailer(s) to handle this part. In my own experience, most will be happy to support and can source directly from manufacturers/distrubutors.

In my case the part was no longer manufacutred and I could only source from an international retailer.
The retailer wrongly assigned a HARM code to the item (protecting themselves and exposing the buyer).

The form sent by the shipping company was geared towards importing a RIF which I was not importing therefore I just filled out it as best as I could and I received the goods okay albeit with a hefty delay and import tax.

Nowhere on the form does it state it is confidential or private therefore I have attached the document with my personal info redacted in the hope it is helpful for others in a similar boat.

In the e-mail back to the shipping company I stated the following:

The shipment can be inspected. The shipment does not contain a RIF or an IF, it does not have a velocity because it is not a RIF or IF. It also does not resemble a RIF or an IF, it is an airsoft accessory.

If you have a UKARA number just use it.
 

On 04/06/2024 at 17:57, Tommikka said:

 

 

Compare your form to the PDF in the first post of this thread

 

For the questions on that form you would put:

 

B RIF / parts = yes

C RIF = no and RIf part = yes

with your UKARA details inbetween 

 

Generally you would not need a defence for parts as it’s not a RIF, but the form could be used in the context of parts to modify an IF to RIF or for multiple imports of separate parts to ‘smuggle’ and manufacture a RIF

 

Ultimately, this was my defence, the part could not be used to convert or manufacture a RIF therefore no defence needed. But I'm in agreement with you that prospective imports should consider what they're importing and how it could be construed by BF.

 

RIF declaration_REDACTED.doc

Edited March 31 by 0mega
add info re quote.

[Rogerborg]

Thanks, @0mega, we rarely get these follow-ups.  Good to hear that you got it resolved.

[RenwickCustomer]

I know this is an old thread, but it also pops up in Google if you're looking for information about this topic (as I was) so might be worth just adding my experience here:

 

Ordered parts (mag and a replacement bolt) from WGC that shipped 27th and arrived in the UK a couple of days later. I got the form everyone else got, filled it out with just YES to RIF parts. Didn't fill out anything else other than the extra text bit where I wrote that these parts don't alter the appearance (not actually sure that matters in retrospect) nor are they an RIF, so no extra information is required. I also obviously filled out name, DOB, tracking number etc and 'signed' at the bottom.

 

It entered customs and then was cleared (according to the tracking) the same day, then asked for import fees, then was delivered a few days later. It also had the bright orange AIRSOFT sticker on the box, so I don't think it was missed by customs or not looked at. Box was otherwise unopened.

 

@PewPew4U obviously feel free to ignore this, but what happened after your AUG was seized? Were you able to get it back? Or was that just the end of it?

Edited April 4 by RenwickCustomer

[Tommikka]

4 minutes ago, RenwickCustomer said:

Didn't fill out anything else other than the extra text bit where I wrote that these parts don't alter the appearance (not actually sure that matters in retrospect) nor are they an RIF, so no extra information is required.

 

 

You’ve mentioned why it would/could matter.

 

If something was to change appearance in such a way that an IF became a RIF then it would be heading towards manufacturing a RIF’

(Which in itself isn’t a customs matter,  but the action of doing so could be a VCRA matter)

 

A bolt wouldn’t change appearance.  A magazine probably wouldn’t - but many so called two tones aren’t even 50% bright, so arguably a black magazine could turn some IFs into RIFs

However in the majority of cases the contents are not being looked at.  The incoming package flags as something that may contain airsoft stuff, could be due to the originator business or the customs declaration - or a random pull

 

((((don’t apologise for adding to an existing thread - some forum users call it necroposting to add to an old thread - but this is the whole point of a forum and using a relevant thread keeps content together minimising repetition and maximises collation of knowledge & advice))))

[RenwickCustomer]

1 hour ago, Tommikka said:

You’ve mentioned why it would/could matter.

 

If something was to change appearance in such a way that an IF became a RIF then it would be heading towards manufacturing a RIF’

(Which in itself isn’t a customs matter,  but the action of doing so could be a VCRA matter)

 

Yes this makes sense thank you, I was looking at the relevant part of the VCRA at the time so that I could write an accurate answer! Obviously already forgotten, and I wasn't even waiting weeks for it to get to me!

 

One thing I have to say is that UPS customer service when you call them are comically unhelpful? Or at least were to me, I note others have had helpful agents. At one point I was laughing while arguing with one of them about whether the tracking said it had gone into customs yet, it went on for so long. Think I will avoid in future where possible.

 

Edited April 4 by RenwickCustomer

[ak2m4]

Just a quick add, not sure if it's just business customers but the last UPS shipment I had arrive the declaration system kinda went semi-digital.  I got an email to say follow this link, then I had to fill out a few HS questions and then was told to download the usual form, fill it in and upload, pay my fees etc.  All done without the UPS person phoning and then emailing me direct.  Great I thought!  Step in the right direct at least.

However after 2 more days of no movement I then get the usual call and email from UPS asking me to fill out the form haha....So filled it out twice in the end..

Anyone else have this?

Edited April 5 by ak2m4

[RenwickCustomer]

Mine was that I got an email from UPS saying I needed to give information - it made me 2FA into their website where I was presented with the waybill, invoice and the RIF declaration form. Filled it in and uploaded it only to be immediately told it didn't work and that I had to email them the form (no biggie) with x identifier in the subject. Did that and then they submitted it for clearance quickly afterward.