Bringing an airpistol / airsoft gun to India during a visit

[razl]

Hi Everyone!!

This is my first technical post after my introduction post (viewtopic.php?f=24&t=27427).

So, I'm planning to visit India during the month of March-2020, landing in Chennai/Kerala (haven't decided on this yet). I would like to bring my Umarex Glock17 Gen4 .177 cal BB gun and/or my G&G G731 airsoft revolver along. Now, I haven't had any membership in a shooting/rifle club in India and I wish to get one in Chennai to practice my shooting and develop my interest and skill in the sport.

I went through quite a bunch of threads especially the thread on bringing an AR in the checked-in luggage. But I quite couldn't figure out what needed to be done for a handgun specifically in my case (since most discussion was around bringing in an AR).

I intend on declaring the air pistol, lock the trigger using a trigger lock, have it put into a hard case with the mag removed, not carry any pellets/ammo/CO2 canisters.

Now the question is, though I would let the customs people know of the gun, I still am a bit unclear on getting it released as I read that at times they release it after an NOC is signed from the commissioner's office and at times they still ask for a membership (which I do not have). The only shooting academy I know of in Chennai is 'Mission Academy of Shooting Sports'. I heard that is almost is impossible to get a membership in the Chennai Rifle Club. That said, I am planning to get a membership in Mission Academy to gain my skill in shooting (please do suggest me a place if you did know of it!).

I'd want to get things done the right way to avoid any issues or hassles that may arise due to the my negligence/being naive. May I request your guidance on this as it will help me understand and figure out the right way to get this done please.

Sincerely
Russel

[razl]

Dear All,

Any one here that can help me out with some info light on this please?

Sincerely,
Russel

[Vikram]

Dear All,

Any one here that can help me out with some info light on this please?

Sincerely,
Russel

Do explain what information you need.Also, please go through the earlier posts.

[dev]

Bring the air pistol only if you have a rifle club membership. With all invoices. Customs will still make a big deal out of it. The airsoft may be treated as a real firearm if it is gas-powered. Actually it is no fun trying to bring these things in.

[razl]

Do explain what information you need.Also, please go through the earlier posts.

Bring the air pistol only if you have a rifle club membership. With all invoices. Customs will still make a big deal out of it. The airsoft may be treated as a real firearm if it is gas-powered. Actually it is no fun trying to bring these things in.

Hi Vikram and Dev,

Thanks for the reply!

So in my case, both the guns are Co2 powered. I have the user manual, box that speaks of the caliber and everything about the guns, the orange tip for the airsoft and the e-invoice of all the purchases (this I can print out too). question is - Since I am pretty new to this sport and wish to start my practicing in India, and now have purchased the gun, I am standing stuck not knowing what to do, after reading about all the hassles that other respected members in this forum faced.

Getting a membership in one of the shooting clubs back home would do good for starters? is it possible that I bring the gun along, hand it over to customs which any way will be the process, go and enroll myself in a club/academy and then produce my ID so that I can have the gun released? Please correct me if I am wrong anywhere as I would like to do the right thing any given time.

Many thanks in advance for your valuable suggestions!

[razl]

Dear Experts,

Any thoughts or suggestions would be of great help/info to me!!

Sincerely
Russel

[gurbirsinghdhillon]

try reading my post, my wife had brought me a break barrel .177 gamo air rifle from usa this summers, she had no club membership, i had to go mety the custom people after a gap of 1 day and pay 100% duty and get it//

[Shivaji.Dasgupta]

Hi Everyone!!

This is my first technical post after my introduction post (viewtopic.php?f=24&t=27427).

So, I'm planning to visit India during the month of March-2020, landing in Chennai/Kerala (haven't decided on this yet). I would like to bring my Umarex Glock17 Gen4 .177 cal BB gun and/or my G&G G731 airsoft revolver along. Now, I haven't had any membership in a shooting/rifle club in India and I wish to get one in Chennai to practice my shooting and develop my interest and skill in the sport.

I went through quite a bunch of threads especially the thread on bringing an AR in the checked-in luggage. But I quite couldn't figure out what needed to be done for a handgun specifically in my case (since most discussion was around bringing in an AR).

I intend on declaring the air pistol, lock the trigger using a trigger lock, have it put into a hard case with the mag removed, not carry any pellets/ammo/CO2 canisters.

Now the question is, though I would let the customs people know of the gun, I still am a bit unclear on getting it released as I read that at times they release it after an NOC is signed from the commissioner's office and at times they still ask for a membership (which I do not have). The only shooting academy I know of in Chennai is 'Mission Academy of Shooting Sports'. I heard that is almost is impossible to get a membership in the Chennai Rifle Club. That said, I am planning to get a membership in Mission Academy to gain my skill in shooting (please do suggest me a place if you did know of it!).

I'd want to get things done the right way to avoid any issues or hassles that may arise due to the my negligence/being naive. May I request your guidance on this as it will help me understand and figure out the right way to get this done please.

Sincerely
Russel

The trouble will be faced and money spent in bringing a air pistol or Airsoft gun in India is more than the cost it available in India.
If that weapon has some sentiment attached then it is ok otherwise buy a new one here.
More easy

[razl]

try reading my post, my wife had brought me a break barrel .177 gamo air rifle from usa this summers, she had no club membership, i had to go mety the custom people after a gap of 1 day and pay 100% duty and get it//

Dear Sir,

Thanks so much for the response. In this case, I assume you would have had a membership in a club right which would have made it a bit more easier? isn't it?

[gurbirsinghdhillon]

try reading my post, my wife had brought me a break barrel .177 gamo air rifle from usa this summers, she had no club membership, i had to go mety the custom people after a gap of 1 day and pay 100% duty and get it//

Dear Sir,

Thanks so much for the response. In this case, I assume you would have had a membership in a club right which would have made it a bit more easier? isn't it?

am sure, as in my case i had to request the official of NRAI to come along for inspection and also to pay 100% duty but being a member of any club be it district, state or NRAI you would be helped and 0 % duty..