import duty on air guns (RTI)

[nagarifle]

Thanks to m24 s hard work now we have this response via the RTI on import of .177 and .22 air rifle.

RTI Submitted with DGFT:


1) 1) I would request you to please let me know the policy of DGFT with respect to import of Air-Rifles of caliber .177 and .22, and

2) 2) Who all are qualified to import the same?



Information Furnished: Reply to points 1 & 2: Import of arms is permitted against a license to renowned shooters / rifle clubs for their own use on the recommendation of Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. However, import of 0.177 bore air guns and air pistols are freely importable for shooters registered with Rifle Clubs or District / State / National association. Free import of 0.177 bore air guns and air pistols is allowed to National Rifle Association of India for supplying the same to the eligible State Rifle Association / clubs and to the eligible shooters. Renowned Shooter means a person who has participated in a National Shooting Championship in an Open Men/s Event or Open Women’s Event or Open Civilian’s Event whether through Qualifying Tournament or Wild Card Entry conducted in accordance with the rules of International Shooting Union and has attained the minimum qualifying score prescribed by the National Rifle Association.



My Inference: .22 bore cannot be imported unless permission granted by Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, and DGFT, so possible only for Renowned shots.



3) 3) If the same can be imported, then how much duty does one have to pay for the import?



Information Furnished: Reply to point 3: So far as rate of duty is concerned, the matter falls within the purview of Department of Revenue, Central Board of Excise and Customs, New Delhi.



Information provided by the office of Mr. Shyam Sunder, Dy. Director General of Foreign Trade.

[winnie_the_pooh]

Naga,

Nice initiative.I would have worded it differently.

1.Is it true that any one who is a member of a District Rifle Association can import a .177 air rifle or pistol without obtaining an import license or in other words,import of this is is free for him/her.

2.Is it true that any one who is a member of a State Rifle Association can import a .177 air rifle or pistol without obatining an import license or in other words the import of this is free for him/her.

3.Is it true that any one who is a member of a District Rifle Association or a State Rifle Association can import a .177 air rifle or pistol without paying any duty.

4.Can a member of a State or District Rifle Association import a .22 air rifle or pistol without obatining an import license.

5.Is it true that a member of a District or State Rifle Association can import air rifle pellets wihtout obtaining an import license

The reply is pretty vague,is it not?

[m24]

No winnie_the_pooh, the reply seems pretty clear.

Answers to question 1,2,3 of yours is given in the statement: "However, import of 0.177 bore air guns and air pistols are freely importable for shooters registered with Rifle Clubs or District / State / National association".

Answer to question 4 is given in the statement: "Import of arms is permitted against a license to renowned shooters / rifle clubs for their own use on the recommendation of Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. However, import of 0.177 bore air guns and air pistols are freely importable for shooters registered with Rifle Clubs or District / State / National association." Which means .22 air rifle or air pistol is considered at par with a fire-arm.

As for question no. 5, I would be putting the same to DGFT and the duty portion to Dept. of Revenue.

Anybody who wants a copy of the same can PM me and I can send a photocopy of the same to them.

Regards

[Vikram]

Splendid initiative,M24.Thank you.

I have one question.No where it is mentioned that a .22 air rifle cannot be imported.It says .177 air rifles can be freely imported i.e.without duty by rifle association members.Others will have to pay the duty.Same applies to .22 ARs. They can be imported but duty has to be paid. This is how I interpret the reply.

I have not seen a rule anywhere that implies that .22 air rifle is treated as an equal to a firearm.It's the dealwood test that determines it and not the calibre.

These are my opinions.

Thank you once again for your efforts.

Best-
Vikram

Pee Yes: What a bleeding shame that we have to worry so much even about air rifles and pellets.

[gunrunner]

Hi Vikram,
What you say is true,that its the deal wood test that deciedes not the caliber.
Which modern AR would pass the test is the million dollar question.
The rouges in white are epitomes of corruption,I have had an experience where the .177 barrells i had got for my walther U/L air rifle were confiscated-just because i wouldnt grease their palms..
Its just a question of wether one is willing to shell out their equation.
The Rule book is Toilet paper for the gents in white.
Bring what thou may,after you pay.

It happens only in india
Hundreds of crimes committed by illegal weapons,but the brunt is borne by licencees.
RDX,AK-47,NIGHT VISION OPTICS,SAT PHONES,GRENADES and what not can be freely got into the country if you know how to.
But AIRGUNS and PELLETS -NO NO NO(prohibitted items -you will be told) .

[nagarifle]

Naga,

Nice initiative.I would have worded it differently.

please file a RTI yourself. and let us all know what was the outcome.

do not criticize someone who is doing something.
Edited:Gentlemen, no reason to be abrasive.The words are in good spirit.

[winnie_the_pooh]

Naga,

I find your reply offensive.

As far filling an application under RTI goes,I have ample experience of doing so.As far as filing one about import of air rifles, I have no interest in them.50-60,000/- can buy you a real gun even now in India.

As far as the wording of what I had said would have elicited a better response,the language is one that had been suggested by a person you know pretty well,as being more appropriate for an application under RTI.

As far as the reply by the PIO of the DGFT that rate of duty is something that did not concern them,goes,if you would go through the RTI Act,it says that if the information sought does not concern the person from whom it is sought,he shall forward it to the concerned person and seek the information from him.

[m24]

People, let's not turn this into a slug fest. Wording, no wording, let's work to get what we want. The right info so that we don't have any more cases of .22 AR's stuck with customs.

Winnie_the_pooh, as you say that the PIO is supposed to seek the info herself/himself and then give it to me as per the RTI act, well, that would be asking for too much from a govt. dept. If they worked as per books in the first instance, all of us wouldn't be facing any kind of hurdles.

Vikram, the fact that the statement only states .177, shouldn't it mean that .22 is considered as part of the rest. That it can only be imported by renowned shooters / rifle clubs for their own use on the recommendation of Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, against a license. I can specifically file an RTI for .22 for further clarification.

Regards

[Sujay]

Splendid initiative,M24.Thank you.

I have one question.No where it is mentioned that a .22 air rifle cannot be imported.It says .177 air rifles can be freely imported i.e.without duty by rifle association members.Others will have to pay the duty.Same applies to .22 ARs. They can be imported but duty has to be paid. This is how I interpret the reply.

.

Vicky,

Note that DGFT is replying to the issue of 'permit' only, abstaining on commenting on 'duty'. Consequently, 'freely' importable' would mean 'no permit is required' , rather than 'no duty is to be paid'.

This leads to .. non members of shooting clubs need permit, which would not be given becasue to get permit to import, you need to participate in ISSF shootings which requires membership.

[m24]

I am attaching the PDF of the DGFT RTI for everybody's convenience. I would be contacting Dept. of Revenue w.r.t duties, as well as another RTI to DGFT w.r.t pellet imports. If anybody wants any other query attached, do inform me latest by 30th midnight.

Regards

[king234]

they information is great but what about bringing a rifle of a good power, say .22 cal.. does one still require a rifle club membership, what about the taxes and duties? and the infamous deal wood test?

King234

[Vikram]

they information is great but what about bringing a rifle of a good power, say .22 cal.. does one still require a rifle club membership, what about the taxes and duties? and the infamous deal wood test?

King234

If you care to know,please go through the forum.There is plenty of info on the topics you asked.There is a search function available.

Best-
Vikram

[king234]

they information is great but what about bringing a rifle of a good power, say .22 cal.. does one still require a rifle club membership, what about the taxes and duties? and the infamous deal wood test?

King234

If you care to know,please go through the forum.There is plenty of info on the topics you asked.There is a search function available.

Best-
Vikram

I tried but i didnt find the latest rules for the same, Most of the posts were for .177cal and some didnt mention the deal wood test
Regards
King234

[t20]

I am attaching the PDF of the DGFT RTI for everybody's convenience. I would be contacting Dept. of Revenue w.r.t duties, as well as another RTI to DGFT w.r.t pellet imports. If anybody wants any other query attached, do inform me latest by 30th midnight.

Regards

A 14 year girl from Madurai Rifle club is fighting with the custom to get her air rifle cleared. The case is pending for last 6 months. Customs confirmed that they are ready to clear an Air gun but not an Air Rifle As per notification of DGFT no where we can see Air rilfe mentioned and customs are not ready to do meaningful meanings. If anyone has any document in favor, kindly share.

[m24]

Tell her guardians to contact DGFT, Chennai office. Contact details are available on the DGFT website. Tell them to meet the official in-charge of Import policy and present her case to that officer. If everything is in order, it shouldn't be long before her rifle is cleared.

Regards