Airgun import experiences - via post/ courier route

[hamiclar01]

[
.. maybe this insured stuff holds good for international travel. Next time you want to take your stuff from Bangallore to Delhi, include a via-Singapore route, and all will be fine

Really? Didn't Lufthansa lose Col Rathore's Perazzi when he was flying back from Frankfurt?

[TenX]

Of course they did.. but a lot of pun was intended ...

[deepakvarde]

Hello, I'm a new Member to Indians for guns and have been going through the different posts. I'm very much enlightened with the replies from experts and professionals.

I've just 2 days back ordered a GAMO Whisper .177 rifle from www.natchezss.com and the customer service has been so far good enough. Having read through the posts, I understood that 1) the gun should be called through the USPS Express Mail since it saves on time.
2) There is a Customs Notification where it says that it is exempt from Customs Duty - so I have a copy of that
3) There a Notification from EXIM stating that a member of a rifle association can import a .177 air rifle - I have a copy of that too
4) I'll soon get a bonafied letter from my rifle association.
5) I have my rifle club ID Card
6) A copy of the Invoice would be mailed to me by Natchezss.

The lady from natchezss told me that she would ship the rifle tomorrow and it would take about a week to get here(India-Mumbai). I also read in one of the posts that I should wait for a Notice from the postal customs and then go there with these documents.

Can anybody tell me, so far, is my understanding correct? Are the documents mentioned from 1 to 5 enough? would I need anything else?

Warm Regards,
Deepak

[nagarifle]

they should do, buuuuttt were are dealing with babus so who can tell, just to cool and calm when you go there and wait with a on your face. hope it works.

all the best, look forward to see you air rifle on the forum.

[pravinonline]

That customs notification says you have to be a Renowed shooter.

Do they really follow that Claus to... or only having rifle club membership with no competition certificates will get your gun released.

[nagarifle]

wrong please check out airguns section for air rifle imports.

[dev]

That customs notification says you have to be a Renowed shooter.

Do they really follow that Claus to... or only having rifle club membership with no competition certificates will get your gun released.

Wrong answer. You lose ten cartridges. For air rifle you don't have to be renowned shot. I think you have all the documents required. Just wait for the customs notice.

Regards,

DEV

[Big Daddy]

Hi Guys,

I have been reading reviews for quiet some time but now only joined IFG.
Great forum.

If you know some one higher up in customs / forensic lab / police, then go in for a .22.
If not, then your safest bet would be to bring a .177
Membership of a riffle club / association might cost you around Rs. 5000 to Rs. 8000. This would help you bring in a .177 without a flinch. They might not even ask you to show your membership proof. It will also help answer silly security questions at train stations etc within the country.

If you are willing to take the risk and bring in a .22 air rifle, then I guess Trivandrum air port would be your best bet. I know of some people who have brought in .22 air rifles without a problem (my uncle is one of them - Diana RWS 350 magnum).
We are not from Kerala, but he chose that root just because of the air rifle. The customs there are so used to so many people bringing air rifles from the Gulf. Many of these rifles make their way to retail dealers. All the best.
Guys, look up Daystate air rifles. Worth ever shot.

[rcdoma]

Welcome to IFG Big Daddy!

Thanks for the tip about air rifle friendly airports Do you know if they paid any duty for the .22 air rifles?

[deepakvarde]

Guys! today I checked on the Postal Customs office. The gentelmen told me that I just have to show a letter from my association and that should be it. Also, I checked with him, if I didnt have a memebship then how do I free the gun. To that he said, I'll have to pay the customs duty around 23 - 28%.

[tirths]

Guys! today I checked on the Postal Customs office. The gentelmen told me that I just have to show a letter from my association and that should be it. Also, I checked with him, if I didnt have a memebship then how do I free the gun. To that he said, I'll have to pay the customs duty around 23 - 28%.

You don't have to show any letter from your association! Just your Rifle Club ID card will do! eg. do you provide document supporting your motor vehicle license? Secondly, it is entirely duty free. Duty applicable only on commercial import ()

[deepakvarde]

Thanks tirths, but the customs & EXIM notification states that it is duty free only for registered shooters with a rifle club. Not otherwise ... which is implied.

It would be great if you could share some document that would support the claim for duty free import of .177 rifle for personal use without being associated with a rifle club. A lot of friends would benefit from it.

Regards,
Deepak

[tirths]

Without a club membership, gun import is RESTRICTED I thought you are a member of a rifle club.

[tingriman]

Without a club membership, gun import is RESTRICTED I thought you are a member of a rifle club

a) Is it possible for normal citizen, who is nither a member of any club nor a renowned shot certificate holder to import .177 cal air rifle by checkin baggage route?

b) If the answer to the above question is positive, then do custom duty payable?

May I request members to kindly share their inputs in this regard.

thanks
tingriman

[nagarifle]

if one has read the airgun import post on the other thread then you would know what went on at the airport etc. we seem to be reinventing the wheel here.

the bottom line is this if importing via baggage route then.
this will help.

club membership,
receipt
any notification in your favor.

even if you are importing .22 or .177 with or without club membership be prepared to pay duty.

either way the gents in white are within the law to withhold the air rifle until confirmed via police that it is as stated.

and take your chances or keep on debating about it here