RTI - Clarification

[silver9]

Hi everyone,

I met the Asst. Comm of Customs today at the RTI Cell, Mumbai customs offices. I had a few questions-

1. Import of Air Guns/Pistols (post/baggage)
Ans: Only the registered club members are allowed to import or carry in the air rifles and pistols of .177 cal. Your uncle/aunts, friends or father are not allowed to carry them in for you on your behalf.

Docs required: Club membership ID, Letter stating the reason- why would you wish to import the rifle or the pistol, invoice copy- should mention the gun specs, and the price. Payment proof. Thats it.

2. Blank firers- The notification states that its FREE to import. It doesn't mean that its dutyfree. Things fall into 3 categories:

1. Prohibited
2. Restricted
3. FREE

If its Prohibited, its prohibited.

Restricted- If the thing falls in Restricted category, it doesn't mean that its prohibited. It means that its restricted for few.

FREE: For the free things, just import them freely. Blank/muzzle loading, signal flare pistols, shotguns fall under FREE category. Just pay the duty, and walk off.

3. Airsoft: They are toy guns, and you can get them imported. Pay the duty, and walk off.

All the guns (air guns, blank firers, airsoft guns) will be detained, they will be examined at the time of clearing. In case of any doubt, they will be examined by the police.

Happy importing!

Cheers,
N.

[ebenezer]

Thanks a lot for the very useful info Silver

Ebenezer

[striker]

silver9 ,
thanks for the info , do they give all in print form/ hard copy as RTI doc ?

[silver9]

The commissioner told me why would I need a written reply on such silly questions. I believe his point is correct.

Cheers,
N.

[hamiclar01]

The commissioner told me why would I need a written reply on such silly questions. I believe his point is correct.

Because when you land, the man who makes the decision to impound your precious air gun is not the commissioner, but the on duty customs officer, who will want something in writing to save his own skin. Fair enough. Putting myself in his shoes, if I were to stop someone carrying something I have no idea of, what would I believe: A written memo/RTI he shows me, or a seemingly tall tale saying a friend on his, whose name he does not know, spoke to the Mumbai commissioner, who says it's OK?

What if my flight lands at 2.00 am? Will the commissioner be awake to take a phone call? In the presence of an ignorant Customs officer, the most likely outcome is the airgun being impounded and me having to return again....with documents!!

And if the customs babu is aware of the import allowance, then there is no need to bring in the fact that someone we know on the internet knows the Mumbai commissioner. Such a move, at least in the North, is like waving a rag to a bull. (Expected response: "OK, then you call him and ask him to release it")

I have carried photocopies of notifications, which I have handed over to the customs staff, so they can file them with copies of my receipts/manuals/club membership, in case someone later on, questions them. They seemed relieved to see things in writing. I cannot blame them.

BTW What did he mean by restricted/prohibited?

Sorry to be the devil's advocate. But the more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in War. I'm not sure why the commissioner just did go over the internet to the IFG airgun section , pull up Mr Chacko's notification on airgun import exemption, print it, and give it to you It's the same one we all have been using over the last few years

[sonny]

I have a query here, what if i am not a member of any shooting club/association, can i import (personal baggage) air rifles after paying duty? & what will be the duty?
Any help on this will be highly appreciated

[OverUnderPump]

I have a query here, what if i am not a member of any shooting club/association, can i import (personal baggage) air rifles after paying duty? & what will be the duty?
Any help on this will be highly appreciated

No, you cant as per the existing guidelines pertaining to import of airguns.

regards

OUP

[silver9]

Hi Sonny,

The customs will detain your gun, and they might fine you as well for getting it along if you're not a member of any shooting club. You can get an airsoft gun with you as a toy in the checked baggage. 36% duty will be levied.

Cheers,
N.

[alfaromeo17]

gr8 input silver job well done. This will help us all. U rock

[shadow]

Hi everyone,

I met the Asst. Comm of Customs today at the RTI Cell, Mumbai customs offices. I had a few questions-

1. Import of Air Guns/Pistols (post/baggage)
Ans: Only the registered club members are allowed to import or carry in the air rifles and pistols of .177 cal. Your uncle/aunts, friends or father are not allowed to carry them in for you on your behalf.

Docs required: Club membership ID, Letter stating the reason- why would you wish to import the rifle or the pistol, invoice copy- should mention the gun specs, and the price. Payment proof. Thats it.

2. Blank firers- The notification states that its FREE to import. It doesn't mean that its dutyfree. Things fall into 3 categories:

1. Prohibited
2. Restricted
3. FREE

If its Prohibited, its prohibited.

Restricted- If the thing falls in Restricted category, it doesn't mean that its prohibited. It means that its restricted for few.

FREE: For the free things, just import them freely. Blank/muzzle loading, signal flare pistols, shotguns fall under FREE category. Just pay the duty, and walk off.

3. Airsoft: They are toy guns, and you can get them imported. Pay the duty, and walk off.

All the guns (air guns, blank firers, airsoft guns) will be detained, they will be examined at the time of clearing. In case of any doubt, they will be examined by the police.

Happy importing!

Cheers,
N.

Dear N,

Great job! It will help all the members here to a great extent. Thanks for sharing.

However there is one question that you missed out - how many air guns can 1 import at a given point in time?

Also are there any other reasons of importing PX$ other than target practice? Is that a valid enough reason?

Cheers,
Rup

[Frosty]

Hi everyone,

FREE: For the free things, just import them freely. Blank/muzzle loading, signal flare pistols, shotguns fall under FREE category. Just pay the duty, and walk off.

3. Airsoft: They are toy guns, and you can get them imported. Pay the duty, and walk off.

All the guns (air guns, blank firers, airsoft guns) will be detained, they will be examined at the time of clearing. In case of any doubt, they will be examined by the police.

Happy importing!

Cheers,
N.

Hi Silver 9

Am i reading and understanding it correctly, shotguns you mean like 12 gauge ones, imported ones from the phorein land !!!!! free !!!!! just paying the duty ,
Man pls clarify or some one can go cuckoo over this news.

Regards

Frosty

[silver9]

Dear Frosty:

Not the 12 bore shutguns. You need to be a renowned shooter to import that thing. I meant, muzzle loading, signal flare blank shotguns and pistols. Blank firers.

Cheers,
N.

[nagarifle]

why not do a RTI to the customs and find out, like every one else does, you can help your self and others as well , now that sounds good, do you not think? as most likely we don't the info you requested.

[silver9]

As per new rules, for blank guns and airsoft toys, you need a police noc. These days customs ask for police noc for airguns as well. The noc should mention the make/model/manufacturer of the gun, and should also mention that the gun thats imported doesnt require a licence, and couldnt be converted to a real firearm. End up spending 5k for the noc, and then import any toy gun that you wish to.

Cheers,
N.

[silver9]

Rajiv,

I totally understand what you're trying to say, but please refrain from using offensive words like "damn country" against our own! let me tell you that there are people who'd take undue advantage of the import if they allow airsoft/airguns/blank guns to enter freely.

There is a reason for the restriction, and please obey it. No one in India could stop you from getting a gun licence because its your right.

Thanks,
N.