Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)
Posted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:13 pm
This is an issue that I faced over the last few days regarding an import of an Air Rifle.
I imported Daystate Huntsman - limited edition Buckmaster
Details of BuckMaster:
The Buckmaster will be exclusively limited to just 100 rifles.
The new Special Edition rifle has been hand-finished utilizing Italian craftsmanship using the shotgun connections that are now available to Daystate through its tie-up with Marocchi shotguns, the first time Daystate has managed to incorporate the benefits of new Italian design methods. The rifle shares the same engraving team as Marocchi shotguns, and has undoubtedly benefited from the breathtaking stock by Minelli.
I purchased this rifle from Air Guns of Arizona and got them shipped through FedEx (Gun Cost $1,900 + Shipping $280)
I handled the usual paper work that’s required as per the courier route.
However the mystery disaster struck me when the Customs confiscated the shipment stating that the invoice is mentioned as .177 and the Air Rifle doesn’t mention the caliber and they mentioned on the case that it could be suspected import of .22 illegally.
Once I got this update I contacted Daystate UK factory telling them about this issue if they could help me in sending me picture of the caliber engraving on the rifle as I was not aware on the markings. Lynn from Daystate customer service sent me the picture of the engraving of the caliber marked on the Bolt action. Find the picture below.
I forwarded the picture to FedEx to submit the same to customs. It took around 48 hours and I had an update that after inspection there was no marking on my Buckmaster. The problem seemed to get worst after I heard this news. The only option I was left was to make a visit to Delhi with .177 and .22 pellets, to prove that this gun was a .177.
During this problem I had my travel to USA lined up. I had my planned trip to USA on 18th early morning. Hence I packed my bags and did a early morning road trip from Jaipur to Delhi.
On 16th night for a backup I tried calling Air Guns of Arizona for help and they sent me the pictures clicked of Daystate with the engraving. So I was confident that I would be able to clear the shipment. Probably the FedEx or Customs were not aware on opening the bold action/breach.
.177 Huntsman Classic
.22 Buckmaster
It was 17th and I reached the FedEx office at Haj Terminal, Delhi around 12 in the noon. Had to wait till 2PM and the juniour customs officer reached the examination area (Small enclosed bonded area inside FedEx warehouse). I saw the beauty revealed & I took the rifle in front of the customs officer. The stock was breath taking and the barrel had a matt finish. Coming back to the issue, when I tried opening the breach I was shocked when I realized the marking was missing. I had to visually scan the rifle from top to bottom, then left to right. There was no marking of the caliber. The junior officer was giving me a sad look and stated that he can't help me in this case. I pulled out the two choices of pellet and tried explaining that .22 won’t fit in this barrel. After all this illustration I failed again as he wanted to marking on the Rifle. On the barrel information I could track was the Rifle number LH70 and there was Certificate from Daystate that this was their 70th Rifle which was customized handmade and the caliber marked as .177 on papers.
Went out for lunch and got back to FedEx site around 5ish. Then I was called to the Warehouse as the Asst. Commissioner was available. The men in White were very polite and not getting convinced. Finally I tried mentioning the Certificate had caliber mentioned and he took sometime to think. Finally he closed the case and signed in front of me
This was like the moment of joy and getting the handcrafted Rifle released from customs. 
This gave me peace and the rifle was transported back to my native by road & I made my trip to USA.
Request to all buyers importing Air Rifle. FedEx has mentioned that there are Air Fore Condor Rifles facing similar issue with the caliber not being marked on the Rifle and customs don't release them till the time the customer visits them and clears their shipment personally.
I imported Daystate Huntsman - limited edition Buckmaster
Details of BuckMaster:
The Buckmaster will be exclusively limited to just 100 rifles.
The new Special Edition rifle has been hand-finished utilizing Italian craftsmanship using the shotgun connections that are now available to Daystate through its tie-up with Marocchi shotguns, the first time Daystate has managed to incorporate the benefits of new Italian design methods. The rifle shares the same engraving team as Marocchi shotguns, and has undoubtedly benefited from the breathtaking stock by Minelli.
I purchased this rifle from Air Guns of Arizona and got them shipped through FedEx (Gun Cost $1,900 + Shipping $280)
I handled the usual paper work that’s required as per the courier route.
However the mystery disaster struck me when the Customs confiscated the shipment stating that the invoice is mentioned as .177 and the Air Rifle doesn’t mention the caliber and they mentioned on the case that it could be suspected import of .22 illegally.
Once I got this update I contacted Daystate UK factory telling them about this issue if they could help me in sending me picture of the caliber engraving on the rifle as I was not aware on the markings. Lynn from Daystate customer service sent me the picture of the engraving of the caliber marked on the Bolt action. Find the picture below.
I forwarded the picture to FedEx to submit the same to customs. It took around 48 hours and I had an update that after inspection there was no marking on my Buckmaster. The problem seemed to get worst after I heard this news. The only option I was left was to make a visit to Delhi with .177 and .22 pellets, to prove that this gun was a .177.
During this problem I had my travel to USA lined up. I had my planned trip to USA on 18th early morning. Hence I packed my bags and did a early morning road trip from Jaipur to Delhi.
On 16th night for a backup I tried calling Air Guns of Arizona for help and they sent me the pictures clicked of Daystate with the engraving. So I was confident that I would be able to clear the shipment. Probably the FedEx or Customs were not aware on opening the bold action/breach.
.177 Huntsman Classic
.22 Buckmaster
It was 17th and I reached the FedEx office at Haj Terminal, Delhi around 12 in the noon. Had to wait till 2PM and the juniour customs officer reached the examination area (Small enclosed bonded area inside FedEx warehouse). I saw the beauty revealed & I took the rifle in front of the customs officer. The stock was breath taking and the barrel had a matt finish. Coming back to the issue, when I tried opening the breach I was shocked when I realized the marking was missing. I had to visually scan the rifle from top to bottom, then left to right. There was no marking of the caliber. The junior officer was giving me a sad look and stated that he can't help me in this case. I pulled out the two choices of pellet and tried explaining that .22 won’t fit in this barrel. After all this illustration I failed again as he wanted to marking on the Rifle. On the barrel information I could track was the Rifle number LH70 and there was Certificate from Daystate that this was their 70th Rifle which was customized handmade and the caliber marked as .177 on papers.
Went out for lunch and got back to FedEx site around 5ish. Then I was called to the Warehouse as the Asst. Commissioner was available. The men in White were very polite and not getting convinced. Finally I tried mentioning the Certificate had caliber mentioned and he took sometime to think. Finally he closed the case and signed in front of me
This was like the moment of joy and getting the handcrafted Rifle released from customs. This gave me peace and the rifle was transported back to my native by road & I made my trip to USA.
Request to all buyers importing Air Rifle. FedEx has mentioned that there are Air Fore Condor Rifles facing similar issue with the caliber not being marked on the Rifle and customs don't release them till the time the customer visits them and clears their shipment personally.
