"transiting"

[BigStew]

Commented on a reddit post from a Norwegian wanting to play the UK and bring their guns with them. I replied no you can't bring them with you, no importing with out a defense. Some one else posted that  they are fine as they are not importing. they are "transiting" as the guns will leave with them. that sounds utter crap to me, but better safe than sorry any one heard this term "transiting" and is it legit (Heavy skepticism)? 

[GiantKiwi]

Nope. Utter bullshit.

[Tackle]

I would imagine the rules, while a bit murky, are similar to any of us wanting to travel abroad for a game in a country where airsoft is permitted ?, contact the airline to confirm their requirements, maybe also email ahead to ukba explaining your intent & supplying an itinerary. 

I'm saying this on the assumption that they're not brand new, & the guy is leaving the UK with the guns post game, so there's no issue with duty/taxes etc.

[BigStew]

1 hour ago, Tackle said:

I would imagine the rules, while a bit murky, are similar to any of us wanting to travel abroad for a game in a country where airsoft is permitted ?, contact the airline to confirm their requirements, maybe also email ahead to ukba explaining your intent & supplying an itinerary. 

I'm saying this on the assumption that they're not brand new, & the guy is leaving the UK with the guns post game, so there's no issue with duty/taxes etc.

Well response from the poster states they have entered the UK with airsoft guns multiple times. I asked them to provide contact details for the OP to the agencies they previously liaised with. So yes maybe possible. Hard to believe given the Polices and customs general ignorance of Airsoft.  

[Tommikka]

Transiting is a thing - but going to a destination to leave later is not transiting 

 

Visiting the UK to play at an insured site is a VCRA defence - but comes with the issue of convincing the airport staff, airline staff, customs etc

 

Travelling by air / ferry / tunnel also comes with how you package, where it is loaded (baggage area) and very importantly the airline and airport policies 

 

(Travelling with real firearms would be easier due to explicit legislation / licencing / certification etc)

[Rogerborg]

I wonder if he might be listing them on an ATA Carnet.

[GiantKiwi]

1 hour ago, Rogerborg said:

I wonder if he might be listing them on an ATA Carnet.

 

Could be, but he would need a UK citizen to apply for it and then have that person authorise them to use it with a notarised letter.

[Johndaniel4863]

My ten pence worth.....

 

If he is coming to skirmish he has a defence under VCRA and therfore his items would not be a customs importation offence under Section 49 (improper importation) or section 170 (fraudulent evasion of a duty or prohibition) of the Customs Excise Management Act 1979 offence a she would have the defence and therefore the prohibition created under VCRA 2006 would not be in force and therefore customs legislation is a moot point. Just declare them on arrival at the Red point at the airport and do not declare them in the green channel. He would just need proof that  the rifs are under 371fps if semi/full auto and that he is attending a skirmish site as a skirmisher with insurance as per the defence under VCRA 2006. 

Sorry for necro posting... Never read the date of the post my bad

[hitmanNo2]

People come over from mainland Europe all the time for milsims and bring their guns. They just declare them, they get inspected no problems. 

[Johndaniel4863]

Because they have a skirmisher defence under VCRA 2006 and that's all that is required to be in compliance with customs legislation with regards to importation laws at the border. A lot of people seem to have the impression that being UKARA registered is the only defence and it isnt at all, its the easiest one to establish immediately but that's why goods can be detained under Customer Excise Management Act 1979 for 28 days while an importer provides evidence of the legality of their import. 

 

Someone suggested using an ATA carnet which they could get form the Norwegian chamber of commerce (or equivalent) and that could be used but it would only show the goods as being a temporary importation an is mostly used for goods over around £1500 if memory serves me correctly and is usually used for people travelling with valuable goods that they use for or with work or they would be stung with import tax on every arrival in the UK carrying the goods  dependant on the circumstances

 

The OP is right though 'transitting' relates to people not goods