Private sale to the US

[Klesin]

Hello all, just got some questions to have clarification on this.

I am currently selling 2 of my rif's and my American mate would like to purchase them. Now I'm in the UK so this is where I'm kinda at a loss currently.

My questions are:
. How exactly would I go about exporting 2 RIF's + the case that they're both in to the US? Do I need to use UPS or declare it to customs etc..
. I'm reading posts of people saying I need to cover the trademarks on the RIF's or they'll be confiscated (Glock and Sig Virtus), is this true?
. Would I be able to get a rough estimate on the customs fees at all?
. Am I correct in saying that I need an active UKARA to be able to sell these?

[Cannonfodder]

Ukara (and other defences) are only for buying, not selling

[Lozart]

Your mate in the US would be the person who needs to check customs fees.

 

Quote

De Minimis Exemption (USD 800 Rule)

For personal shipments, goods valued at USD 800 or less per recipient per day are typically exempt from HTS duty under Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930.

To qualify:

• The declared value must not exceed USD 800 per recipient per day.
• The goods must be for personal use only and not for resale or commercial purposes.
• The shipment must use an approved entry type, such as Section 321, a simplified clearance method that allows low-value personal shipments to enter the U.S. duty-free.
• A 10-digit HTS code should be provided for accurate classification, especially under stricter enforcement rules.
• The shipment must not be split to stay under the threshold. CBP may combine multiple same-day shipments sent to the same recipient.

For commercial shipments, the de minimis exemption typically does not apply, even if the value is under USD 800. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may grant an exemption in rare cases, but businesses should not rely on this when calculating duty liability.

The de minimis threshold only exempts you from the standard HTS duty. It does not apply to excise taxes or policy-based surcharges such as the Baseline Tariff or Reciprocal Tariff if those are applicable to your shipment.

 

from: https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-my/logistics-advice/import-export-advice/All-You-Need-to-Know-About-US-Import-Tax-and-Duties#:~:text=Duties Exemption,this when calculating duty liability.

[Tommikka]

You need to make the customs declaration when sending, but he would be the US importer and liable for what is on (or missing from) the declaration. 

He also becomes liable for paying customs fees & tariffs plus legal issues.

He can however ask you to comply with legal requirements, if you don’t comply with instructions then he can claim any loss against you, if you do comply with his wishes or there are other matters that get picked up then he remains liable

 

 

 

UKARA does not apply - it is the the UK, but US legislation does apply - and is for him to comply

 

Tell him to investigate the customs & legal requirements of his country and his state, then discuss what you both need to do

Make a legitimate customs declaration and back up the valuation with a receipt in the package

If undervalued on mates rates then you can declare the actual sale, but customs could value at actual (assessed) second hand US value and charge him fees accordingly

 

[heroshark]

Your main problem is finding a courier that will take a rif overseas from a private sender.

[novioman]

14 minutes ago, heroshark said:

Your main problem is finding a courier that will take a rif overseas from a private sender.

True, that’s not easy. 

[Tackle]

@Klesin, what are the rifs you're selling ?

I ask as this sounds like a lot of aggro for something that might be easily available either in the USA, or shipped in from a far east retailer, silly tariffs from the 🍊man aside lol.

[Klesin]

Sorry all, I genuinely forgot that I posted this.

The total value of everything is estimated at around £1000 (£1700 is bought all brand new) but that's around a 60% down mark, so ultimately I can mark it further down for easier compliance with laws.

The shipment would be to California, so they have laws on needing an orange tip and orange tape on certain items and certain amount.

Courier wise, I feel like UPS would be the easiest.

Weapons would be a WE Glock and VFC Virtus (Pretty sure I have to cover up some of the trademarks or they'll get confiscated)

How do I make a legitimate customs declaration?

Cheers all

[Tommikka]

18 minutes ago, Klesin said:

How do I make a legitimate customs declaration?

 

 

You make a customs declaration by filling in the relevant information on the forms as you buy the postage, which will often generate the appropriate labels, but if a declaration is not on the label then download a customs declararion form to fill in seperately

 

You make a legitimate customs declaration by being honest with the information that you provide

 

 
 

 

https://youtu.be/96Ym6s5aH5M

 

https://www.ups.com/gb/en/shipping/how-to-ship-internationally/personal

25 minutes ago, Klesin said:

The total value of everything is estimated at around £1000 (£1700 is bought all brand new) but that's around a 60% down mark, so ultimately I can mark it further down for easier compliance with laws.

 

Sell for £1000 and declare at £1000 and that is legitimate 

 

Sell for £1000 and declare at £900 and it would be fraudulent 

 

Sell for £900 and declare at £900 and it would be legitimate 

[Klesin]

Say with being honest, should I just list EVERYTHING that would be inside the case? 

Would I also count this as a gift or selling these items?

Edited 5 hours ago by Klesin

[Tommikka]

2 hours ago, Klesin said:

Say with being honest, should I just list EVERYTHING that would be inside the case? 

 

List items on a declaration in an appropriate manner

eg a package could be declared as ‘books’, and a total value no need to list every title, author, publisher etc

A priced invoice would be expected to be as per the bookshops catalogue which would list each individual title 

 

An airsoft RIF with accessories could be declared as “airsoft equipment” or “airsoft rifle and accessories”, and the total sale as valuation

If a retail sale then an invoice would list as per the catalogue such as “wonder rifle xz79” plus “magazines qty 7” or could actually have sold as a bundle such as “wonder rifle xz79 starter pack”

 

Be informative 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Klesin said:

Would I also count this as a gift or selling these items?

Unless you are giving a present of £1000 worth of airsoft guns and gears don’t make a false declaration calling it a gift

 

 

Take note that customs declarations stating “gift” are red flags to customs staff

 

It’s the traditional go to false declaration of dodgy Chinese sales to evade import tax and customs duty 

((((But it’s a pointless false declaration, the gift vs sale just changes the taxation threshold slightly 

[BigAl]

Send RIF separately and in two packages.  Break em down into package of uppers and package of lowers.  That way they are parts and trades and orange stripes do not apply.  Send all the accessories separately, remove valves from magazines or whole package could be destroyed.  It's more effort and will cost more but they should get there ok. 

 

On 07/08/2025 at 08:59, Cannonfodder said:

Ukara (and other defences) are only for buying, not selling

 

Actually defence is for selling but bizarrely has to be held by buyer.   It really is a crap piece of legislation.

 

Also your using UPS probably better finding a UPS Customer Centres: On-site UPS operating facility rather than a drop of point and seek there advice.

Edited 1 hour ago by BigAl
Extra info.