Diana 35 import story

[Olly]

[shahid]

Misconceptions at Indian Customs.

Shooting sports in a bad word in India. The very mention conjures images of suspicion. RKBA and indulgence in outdoor life, even non shooting activities like camping / hiking / off road driving is at an all time low.

Anti gun lobbies and draconian control laws like abolishment of arms imports have had such telling effects that shooting sports is dead.


Air Rifle is a firearm and comes under arms act.

.22 is a shotgun ( not even a rifle ).

There are no .22 Air Rifles, there cannot be because they are guns.

Licence is required for Air Rifles. This once verified by a phone call to the Delhi Airport police station to a supposed expert on licencing authority – Sir Charra wala Air Gun ke liye Licence nahin hota hai. Is any IFG member aware of anything else / some other projectile being fired from Air Rifles other than Diablo pellets, BBs, Airsoft plastic round pellets ?

What caliber is an Air Rifle ? Don’t know.

Further , according to the Indian Customs at Delhi Airport.

The import policy, revised by the July 2004 notification of Mr. Chacko is a guideline for Deptt. Of Forgien Trade, not a customs law.

They interpret, Airrifles of .177 calibre can be imported free – as imported without licence.

Custom duty of 35 % according to them is not valid.

Their interpretation is 50 % if an accredited shooter, where not just a state / NRAI / Dist. Rifle association membership card but accreditions, scores and letters from NRAI must be produced, otherwise they will charge 100 % duty on the import of Air Rifle (.177 ).

They showed me files where Arjuna award winner Morad Ali Khan was charged 50 % duty for import of shotguns.

2 other shooters, Zakir Khan and others were charged 100 % duty on import of Air Rifles. There were receipts filed to prove this.

We really await the Right to information document through Abhijeet ( Mundaire ) to get a clear picture.


Finally in my case - THe Rifle was released. ( Diana 35 ). Papers were prepared to release it on condition I pay Rs. 8,000 as duty for 100 % of declared value ( AED 750 ). I agreed. They said some storage charges are applicable. I agreed citing it as fair.

Storage charges demanded Rs. 20,000.

I came back. I did not have that much Indian RUpees with me. And since going in again was another lenghty procedure of pleasing the Airport Manager to issue a pass it was simply not worth it.

WHy pay Rs. 28,000 as duty for a rifle where dozens of other people get it in duty free.

Better to close the issue and get another similar rifle later.

There are some battles you don't win. Better leave this one and try afresh.

[Mack The Knife]

Despite our past tiffs, I am sorry to have read that. It's quite obvious that some of the Delhi customs officials don't know what they are talking about. 50% and 100% duty - what a load of drivel!

Mack The Knife

[shooter]

while it is good to be down to earth, in principle there is no need to do huzoor, mai baap etc for something that is your right.

i understand these officials are used to ppl grovelling at their feet, its not needed. had they cleared ur rifle easily, they wud hav just done their job no favours to you.

i think if what they did was unlawful, you hav a legal right. im no expert but i know that if paperwork is perfect, u will sail through, later if not sooner.
im glad u didnt pay the exorbitant amount.

i wish you all the best.

[Hunter]

...a rather unfortunate end. Btw how long was the airgun in their custody,as RS 20000/- is an awful lot to pay as storage charges!!!!

Wish u all the best in your next attempt,if u do after this experience, that is!

The safest bet now seems to be the courrier method,at least one does not have to depend on the whims,fancies and mis-interpretation of the law by the snowflakes in the arrival baggage hall!

[shahid]

Despite our past tiffs, I am sorry to have read that. It's quite obvious that some of the Delhi customs officials don't know what they are talking about. 50% and 100% duty - what a load of drivel!

Mack The Knife

All that is over mate. I will apologise to you in person whenever I am in Banglore or if I see you elsewhere. Thats not me. The real me is different.

As far as this import story goes, these customs fellows do not have enough information, I hope Abhijeet will be able to pull out the correct rules from the customs PR department.

[Mack The Knife]

Thats not me. The real me is different.

So, there's two of you!

Look me up when you are in Bangalore...sans apologies. Shit happens.

[shahid]

I am very very pleased indeed that Inder was able to clear his Air Rifle and now he can enjoy shooting with it.

I am a bit out of touch with the Indian Scenario - so What is a C.A.R. ? Or I have missed it somewhere in Inder's post ?

The story implies that the Route to Take is to det the Air Rifle declared as what it is an Air Rifle and not a Firearm that can be converted to fire Rimfire or other Ammunition. Or rather get it declared as a toy.

Not being a resident of the International Transit point city it looks virtually impossible for a small town resident of India to achieve this. No ACP from Patna will accompany me to Delhi for this.

Fortunately the Indian police or Customs officials are unaware of centrefire .17 HMR and other calibres, otherwise stories of this too being able to converted to a firearm by ruffians will impose an ultimate ban on .177 as well.

SHooting sports will continue to suffer in India if this is the attitude.

Note - I was asked to pay Rs. 20,000 as demurage because the case containing the Air Rifle was assumed to be a valuable.

[kanwar76]

I am a bit out of touch with the Indian Scenario - so What is a C.A.R. ? Or I have missed it somewhere in Inder's post ?

C.A.R Is City Armed reserve.

The story implies that the Route to Take is to det the Air Rifle declared as what it is an Air Rifle and not a Firearm that can be converted to fire Rimfire or other Ammunition. Or rather get it declared as a toy.

Thats not a option thats THE process... Customs want to make sure that the rifle you bought is indeed an air rifle not an firearm.

Not being a resident of the International Transit point city it looks virtually impossible for a small town resident of India to achieve this. No ACP from Patna will accompany me to Delhi for this..

Hmmm.. Man I really find that hard to believe, Anybody of your status, who can start a forum with the support of International shooters and NRAI, can't ask an A.C.P to come to Delhi.. Man..you are underestimating yourself..
and BTW you don't need to ask any A.C.P from Patna to come to Delhi, Delhi C.A.R department will need to do that job but if delhi customs follow that procedure that is....

Fortunately the Indian police or Customs officials are unaware of centrefire .17 HMR and other calibres, otherwise stories of this too being able to converted to a firearm by ruffians will impose an ultimate ban on .177 as well...

Thats your misconception.. they are more aware than you think and .177 or .22 is not a problem at all. According to C.A.R official, "Any .177 or .22 airgun is okay to bring, but they won't allow any .25 without forensic inspection" So If I would have bought a .22 then also no problem at all.

Note - I was asked to pay Rs. 20,000 as demurage because the case containing the Air Rifle was assumed to be a valuable....

Hmmm so they were impressed by your Case not by the actual air gun
You should have left your case with them and ask them to give you only the rifle

BTW Vanguard double case cost the same as SKB Single rifle case $100 that is, SKB's are way more sturdy than a Vanguard case, Yah I admit vanguard is good to look at than SKB

-Inder

[shahid]

Thanks Inder.

City Armed Reserve ? Does that mean the police lines ? In UP there is a police lines in every city but in Bihar we have a SP office, comissioner office and Thanas located at different places. No idea never heard of CAR in Bihar ( but who has ever heard of law and order in Bihar ? )

Vanguard is the only case available in Dubai, no idea about SKB , but during the Hunting Exhibition in October a lot of foreign makers come and during the last day they sell their display stuff real cheap. Hope to lay my hands on some stuff this year.

[kanwar76]

Thanks Inder.

City Armed Reserve ? Does that mean the police lines ? In UP there is a police lines in every city but in Bihar we have a SP office, comissioner office and Thanas located at different places. No idea never heard of CAR in Bihar ( but who has ever heard of law and order in Bihar ? )

Arre Bhaiya jee, thoda uppar utho.. mujhe to ek he police line ka pata hai jahan par police wale apne kacche sukhate hain (Translation: The police line I know is where policemen dry their underwear)

Reserve Police is stationed in the Headquarters of every district and in some important towns in a district. The city Reserve is under the overall control of C.P. with the DCP as incharge assisted by Addl. DCP/ACPs.

The functions of the above reserve police are intended to:

1. supplement the local police strength where it is not adequate to deal with law and order disturbances;
2. provide specially trained personnel to deal with terrorist and other organized gangs;
3. provide security to authorized persons or places;
4. guard vital installations, arms and ammunition and other important places;
5. escort the prisoners;
6. participate in ceremonial parades and guards of honour;
7. help in rescue operations in the event of natural calamities and other disasters;
8. to man armed outposts and conduct armed patrolling where called for;
9. to provide outdoor training for the personnel of the district and Home Guards;
10. to provide striking forces or mobile squads for special bandobusts including elections;
11. Management of arms and ammunition in the district;
12. Maintenance of motor transport of the district;

Vanguard is the only case available in Dubai, no idea about SKB .

Yep, thats what I am saying buddy, stop behaving like Koop Mandook.. there are other good things also than what you see in Dubai

-Inder

[shahid]

Understood. We do have the BMP for this purpose. The current commandent or its Director General Mr. Shafi Alam is a dear friend.
Old tennis and golfing links.

While on the subject of Indian Police, in our states of Bihar / UP we have SP, SSP, DIG, IG, DG

How does this compare to other states who have commissioners like DCP, Comissioner of police etc.

Long ago another friend of mine Mr. Amol Kanth was DCP Crime in Delhi, what was he as DCP an SSP eqivaltent ?

What is the Comissioner of Delhi Police ? A DG ?

PS - the rifle case posted in the picture looks very good indeed.

[Mack The Knife]

Commissioner of Police and Director General of Police are two seperate entities. Bangalore has both.

Mack The Knife