Airgun import experiences - via personal baggage route

[srikanth]

hmm.. how did I violate any TSA requirements? I have declared the air-gun to the airlines and had their clearance beforehand. I was not aware I had to do anything else. If you can clarify that I can avoid making that mistake in the future.

Thanks for pointing it out .

[andy_65_in]

Hi folks whats the latest on .22 cal import via personal baggage-is nit still banned. i have an airgun in .22 cal lined up for import( baggage carry) and have even got a life membership of jaspal rana shooting institute made for the person but will this ensure the safe passage of the .22 cal airgun or not or shud i suggest him to go for .177 cal.please advise

[samsingh]

[franky434]

Hi Everybody.

have read everywhere about Mumbai Airport and other places.So far Mumbai Airport looks as the best Bet.But Can anyone advise if I need to import an Air Rifle from Kuwait to goa via the direct flight to goa ..Customs is in goa.Any problems to be anticipated at Goa Airport.Kindly advise.Further more I was planning on getting the Diana Magnum 350 .22 Calibre rifle.I enquired throught the Authoirised dealer in India for Diana and he said it wuld cost me RS 53000 for me to buy it in India.Is it fair I mean rates to High.

Advise if the magnum 350 is a good buy and will serve for long periods

Thanks

[mahesh5263]

HI Everybody,
I just got back from France. I was carrying Walther CP99 with me. At the Charles de Gaule airport I declare that I am carrying air pistol with me. They called 2 cops to check the weapon. After checking the weapon they told me its ok and I got my boarding pass. And then I went thought the security without much hassle. After landing at Delhi airport the customs guys didn’t asked me any thing but I showed them my Club ID and other paper and also showed the weapon. I went to the customs because the airline wanted me to declare it to them so I did it. I got cleared in less than 5 min.
But the biggest pain in the ass was at the domestic terminal when I was boarding my flight to Mumbai from Delhi. The guy at the checking counter almost got an heart attack when I told him that I have air pistol with me in my carrier baggage. So this guy calls his boss, then he called again his boss. Then we go to security check again. And I don’t see any sense Doing X-Ray of the bag when I am telling them that it has a weapon in it. But still they do the X-Ray. Then they tell me to open the bag, I open the bag. As soon I open the pistol case they asked me why it’s sealed I told them security at the CDG Airport, Paris have sealed it. Then they break the seal and when they see the weapon the girl at the X-Ray consol almost screamed. They tell me I can not carry it on board aircraft even as under carriage baggage. They told me that its not “air gun” so I can not carry it. Then I show that guy the manual off the gun. He starts to read but he starts to read the German part of it and tells me that he can’t understand it. So I again show him the English part and he started to read after about 10 minutes. He say in the manual there is not written that this is air gun. Then again I show him the passage where it’s written about the specification of the gun. The he started to ask questions about why I want to have a weapon with me in India etc. then he started to ask me about the license for the air gun. I told him that I don’t need one for the air gun. Then he won’t listen to me. So I showed him the Indian Arms Act. Then still he is asking me why there is a cylinder in the air gun. I told him that it’s the power source for the gun. Without it you can not shoot the pallet. So he allows me to carry it as under carriage baggage then he sees the pistol case and ask me what the security stamps are about? So I told him that when I bough my gun in Germany. And then I fly around Europe with it. You won’t believe it toke them about one and half hours to just determine that the weapon is air pistol and another half hours to clear it through the all the other process.
I crossed 6 European airports with that gun but it taken never more than 15-20 mints for me after declaring that I am carrying air pistol. But here it toke 2 hrs to get cleared. I mean the security at the Paris, Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt airport is pain in the as but compared to my experience at Delhi airport, I glided thought the security at the European airports. But here no one knows what are the laws are, even how to read a manual. What the hell is happening?
So this was my experience bringing air pistol in to India. When I am going back to get my rifle to Germany again wish me best of Luck guys. We have to do something about this.

Mahesh

[TenX]

Your air rifle will provide one more good read.. All the best

[snIPer]

Mahesh you were lucky. My Crosman Phantom was not allowed to board the local plane (bombay to bangalore) at all and after repeated failed attempts on various airlines it was finally shipped by road to me.
Have fun with your new toy and pls do post pics
/s/

[Atanu]

Ranjeet,

Are you back in India for good? Very soon - mid Jan in fact - Inder is going to be back with his air rifle as well. If you gentlemen could shoot with open sights, do organise the IFG match if possible.

Cheers!

Mehul

Ahh! I have found the discussion thread of my choice at last!! I hope I am not hijacking this time

These expatriate white skinned colleagues of mine seem to have some sort of dimplomatic immunity while bringing in their personal affects.

In case I do manage to get an air gun, whould it be necessary to have a sale deed between us in order to be on the safe side legally?
Thanks// Atanu



Quote (earlier query)
"Hi Guys,

Request your advice please.

Could there be a legal problem if I get a RWS 350 Magnum as personal baggage throu a colleague who is an ex patriate. These guys travel home to Germany twice a year. The price translates to about Rs. 20,000/-

BR// Atanu

Unquote

[Atanu]

Hi Rustom,

Thanks for your informative guidlines on how to bring along an air rifle (Dated Nov 03, 2006)

A colleague of mine, who is an ex patriate (white skin), will be heading home in November, 2009 to South Africa.

I have requested him to bring back a Diana Magnum 350, 0.22 Cal as personal belonging and as check in baggage. If he brings this along declaring it as an object for personal use, will he still have to pay customs duty or face hassles at Delhi airport.

I would surely appreciate very much your help/ guidance on this as quickly as possible.

BR// Atanu

[irfanalien]

can't we buy a DIANA 350 magnum from Amazon.com or pyramydair.com???
Whats wrong in doing so if it is for personal use?
kindly suggest.
Cheers!!!!

[kanwar76]

Mahesh you were lucky. My Crosman Phantom was not allowed to board the local plane (bombay to bangalore) at all and after repeated failed attempts on various airlines it was finally shipped by road to me.
Have fun with your new toy and pls do post pics
/s/

I think I am lucky, I use to take My Diana52 everytime I went to north, never faced any problem apart from once when Dakkhan airlines guys forgot to take it off the plane at Delhi and it reached Bombay with the plane

-Inder

[andy_65_in]

can one get along a discovery marauder type repeater airgun in .177 or are there restrictions for such repeaters by our customs

[tirths]

can one get along a discovery marauder type repeater airgun in .177 or are there restrictions for such repeaters by our customs

No! unless he is a rifle club member.

[andy_65_in]

OK. i mean the person has a rifle club membership.in that case i hope the custom chaps dont raise a hue and cry on importing a marauder style repeater

[mulki]

OK. i mean the person has a rifle club membership.in that case i hope the custom chaps dont raise a hue and cry on importing a marauder style repeater

As I understand it, Club Membership is only required for importing via Courier or Post (.177 Cal only)- this comes under the EXIM policy. Customs rules do not specify the Caliber nor do they require a Club Membership. Check the topics on Import via Customs. Lots info.