Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

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vmanicks
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Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by vmanicks » 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.

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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.

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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

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.22 Buckmaster
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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 :cheers: This was like the moment of joy and getting the handcrafted Rifle released from customs. 8)

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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.
Daystate Buckmaster (Limited Edition 70/100), Walther Dominator, Diana 350 Magnum, Weihrauch HW50, Harrington & Richardson 20 Guage

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by Big Daddy » Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:25 pm

Congrats. You have a beauty there. Persistence prevails :cheers:

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by ckkalyan » Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:03 am

A wonderfully detailed write up of your experience vmanicks. Thank you for sharing.

All's well that ends well Congratulations! What a lovely weapon, superb finish - well worth the expense and - dare I say trouble?!

Enjoy! :cheers:
When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns!

vmanicks
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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by vmanicks » Sun Feb 20, 2011 12:30 am

Thanks Big Daddy, Kalyan.

It was quite a master mind work as you need to deal all this headache with your daily routine (Work, Travel, Patience).

Reaching out to Daystate factory, Airguns of Arizona, FedEx, Customs :roll:
Daystate Buckmaster (Limited Edition 70/100), Walther Dominator, Diana 350 Magnum, Weihrauch HW50, Harrington & Richardson 20 Guage

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by ebenezer » Tue Feb 22, 2011 6:52 pm

Dunno how I missed this post. VManicks, congrats on your 'achievement'. This is a lesson for others. Good that you have posted here for others' benefit. How does the air rifle perform? Waiting for your next post.

Regards,
Ebenezer

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by Big Daddy » Tue Feb 22, 2011 9:59 pm

vmanicks,
did Daystate give any reason for the slip in quality control?

BD
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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by Fahad » Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:27 pm

Wo Ho Ho.......what a beauty. Would be better if it were .22.

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by nazeef.kidwai » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:58 pm

Wow... this is a real beauty...!! :shock:

Congratulations...!!
:cheers:

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by maverick502 » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:31 am

HEY GUYS IM NEW HERE AND I WANA PIK UP THE KSC G23F( METAL SLIDE) GAS BLOW BACK,WILL I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH CUSTOMS WHILE SHIPPING IT IN ND IF SO WHAT DO I NEED TO DO ??

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by vinodjk » Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:22 pm

Congratulations vmanicks on this beauty!

Please also post your experience in the thread related to airgun imports via courier so that people are aware of the issues with Air rifles not marked with Caliber.
http://www.indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1003

So, I guess importing an Airforce Condor or Talon is out of the question?

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by gunforpeace » Wed Mar 02, 2011 2:12 am

Beautiful gun.
Congratulations vmaniks.

vmanicks
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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by vmanicks » Fri Mar 04, 2011 6:52 am

Thanks All.

Vinod: I wanted to initiate this new discussion as this is something unique challenge that I faced in the recent import.

Fahad: .22 would be dream and in reality the customs would be waiting to toss you around.

Big Daddy: Thanks for your idea :cheers: . I have reached out to the seller and Daystate on this Quality control issue.

Ebenezer: I haven't had a chance to shoot the rifle however my Dad is been practising on a daily basis. Please the grouping picture.

Image
Daystate Buckmaster (Limited Edition 70/100), Walther Dominator, Diana 350 Magnum, Weihrauch HW50, Harrington & Richardson 20 Guage

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Re: Import Issue - Air Rifle / Air Pistol (Courier Route)

Post by shiv » Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:36 pm

Hey vmanicks WOW n congrats... :D
its a real beauty man! and thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Hats off for your persistence.
Am still waiting for my 2 pistols..tomorrow Delhi police will be coming to inspect the guns...
Hope of the best.
Anyways you are one lucky Guy!
Happy shooting

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