Help: Firearms from India to USA

[R1022]

Hi all,

I need some information on taking firearms from India to the USA. My situation is that, my uncle owns a rifle and a shotgun which is no longer used, I would like to buy it from him in India and take it back with me to the USA. I want to do this as I want to keep these firearms within the family for sentimental reasons.

Has anyone done this before? How difficult is it per the laws and regulations in India? What possible costs may be involved (besides transporting it to the USA). I do not have a gun license in India.

A detailed response it really appreciated.

Thanks!!

A fellow member.

[dr.jayakumar]

sorry friend no idea,here we are desperate to import.you must have heard about mr. mack the knife, lives in Bangalore.may be he can guide you.regards.

[R1022]

sorry friend no idea,here we are desperate to import.you must have heard about mr. mack the knife, lives in Bangalore.may be he can guide you.regards.

Thanks Doc. I know we have quiet the opposite issues here . I appreciate your input though.

[GreenBeret]

You need to have a arm license to purchase them in india. Endorse them on your license. This is a must! Here i'm guessing the next part. You must get a license from the US and apply for a TR and take them with you.

This is what i know and may be not correct also. Wait for other members suggestion also.

Good luck!

[R1022]

You need to have a arm license to purchase them in india. Endorse them on your license. This is a must! Here i'm guessing the next part. You must get a license from the US and apply for a TR and take them with you.

This is what i know and may be not correct also. Wait for other members suggestion also.

Good luck!

Thanks a lot GB.

[Bespoke]

You will have to talk to one of the Arms exporter in India and explain your situation. If the shotgun is 12 bore it can’t be legally taken out of country and if the rifle is .315,30-06,.303 or a semi automatic you can’t take it out either. You can try getting in touch with Arms and Ammo exporters there are few in Delhi, Mumbai, Luckhnow, Jaipur etc

I don’t think you can take it from here in TR if you don’t have a valid arms license in India and if you have been staying out of India for sometime. If you want to take exporting route you do not need an arms license.

I know someone who did this few years back all this cost around Rs 25000 back then.

[amit888_2000]

Dear R1022,

Taking firearm out of india is not difficult.
1st u should have a NP bore license to purchase this perticular weapon in question.

2nd apply for export of ur that arm, with DCP/ addl.cp licensing. They have there own formalties. This is required because you will not come back with this weapon, so u have to apply for export.

3rd, after they clear you, which will take approx 2-3 weeks, u need DGCA permit to take the weapon in the cargo, of the airline you are travelling.

Note : when u apply for export, do submit ur citizen ship stats, with ur dual citizenship & passport, permit from other country, where they have permited this weapon to enter.

In case u from delhi, pls call addl.cp licensing & ask for the details, or the best is to visit them from 9:30 am - 12:30 pm from mon - friday.

reg
amit



well well, one more Thing,

if u dont have a licence in india, then a dealer can also export the same firearm to u. There is a provision to export a firearm thru dealer.

You have to furnish all details to the dealer, as he has to show where this firearm is getting transfered.
reg
amit

[R1022]

Thank you folks for the detailed information. Hope it works out for me. Have a good day!!

[xl_target]

You must get a license from the US and apply for a TR and take them with you.

This is what i know and may be not correct also. Wait for other members suggestion also.

Good luck!

In general you do not need a license to purchase a rifle or shotgun (this varies from state to state) but you have to be a citizen of the US or a permanent resident to purchase a firearm (some other conditions apply here) here. Once you own a firearm, you do not need a license to keep it (some states may have different regulations). A license is needed only to carry it in a public place.

No one in the US cares what your TR status in India is but you need a license to import a firearm into the US.
Generally a politely worded inquiry (email/letter) made to the BATF (http://www.atf.gov) will give you the information that you require. Yes, they will actually answer your questions.

[R1022]

You must get a license from the US and apply for a TR and take them with you.

This is what i know and may be not correct also. Wait for other members suggestion also.

Good luck!

In general you do not need a license to purchase a rifle or shotgun (this varies from state to state) but you have to be a citizen of the US or a permanent resident to purchase a firearm (some other conditions apply here) here. Once you own a firearm, you do not need a license to keep it (some states may have different regulations). A license is needed only to carry it in a public place.

No one in the US cares what your TR status in India is but you need a license to import a firearm into the US.
Generally a politely worded inquiry (email/letter) made to the BATF (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.atf.gov">http://www.atf.gov</a><!-- m -->) will give you the information that you require. Yes, they will actually answer your questions.

Thanks for the info XT. I think I may end-up dealing with an Indian arms exporter, as I do not have to time to deal with formalities (and other stuff) in India to bring in the mentioned arms by myself.

[ckkalyan]

All very interesting information....Good going gentlemen!

Maybe I can use it, one day to extract my dad's .30 M1 back to Canada. Fingers crossed