One time import question

hipwr223 · 07-10-2003, 11:10 PM

Anyone ever buy a Swiss from over seaseas? Is it a do-able proposition? What fed form is required? Does an import mark need to be stamped on a one time import? Any ideas?

John

Herb · 07-10-2003, 11:13 PM

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm

Edward Tinker · 07-10-2003, 11:15 PM

Lots of ideas, and some facts.

Military guns have to be imported and require lots of work. ALL guns coming into the US must be import marked.

I am pretty sure that only certain companies with proper permits can import guns. Antique guns can be sent straight to your house, one of my friends did it this last year.

Ed

John Sabato · 07-11-2003, 11:38 AM

Simpson's offers Import services for a fee... They are in the Links & Resources sectio of the website... It ain't cheap... but it is possible.

Pete Ebbink · 07-11-2003, 12:03 PM

Hello John,

With red Bern lguers going on the Swiss auction site for only $ 450-1100 USD and prices in the USA at $ 2200 up to $ 2900 nowdays, maybe importation through a reputible outfit may start to make sense...even with fees and costs...

I think a good outfit like Simpson's on this end and a good agent on the Switzerland end would tend to take much of the risks out of the transaction.

But you do end up with a gun that is import-stamped...which might be the biggest downside...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

panda · 07-11-2003, 12:18 PM

Just out of curiosity:
How is an antique gun defined under US law? Would 1900-1906 Lugers qualify?

Pete Ebbink · 07-28-2003, 02:38 AM

Hello Panda,

Any pistol/revolver made before the year 1898 is considered an "antique" and is very easy to bring into the USA.

But the date of manufacturer needs to be known. For example, the Swiss model 1882 revolver should be an antique, but since it was made from 1882 through 1929, certain M1882's may not qualify as an antique...

However, the BATF may not know when a particular M1882 was actually made, so I am sure some M1882's "sneak" into the USA... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Imperial Arms · 07-28-2003, 05:02 AM

Hello Panda,

Based on my experience with importing firearms in to the US, any model pistol which is made before 1898 can be imported without a ATF Form 6. Therefore, any Luger made between 1900-1906 is NOT considered an antique and requires an import permit. The classification of a firearm is based on its actual model designation such as a M1898, M1900, M1902, M1906 etc.

According to US Customs regulations, any gun which is more than 100 years old is considered an antique and is exempt from the 10% import duties only, but in a few cases, an ATF Form 6 is still required. For example, if you wish to import a 1902 Swiss Luger in to the US, a FFL holder would need to submit three ATF Form 6 to the BATF in Washington D.C., however, you will not need to pay the 10% import duties.

You should also bear in mind that a FFL holder can only import COMMERCIAL firearms. If the firearm is military, it can only be imported by a LICENSED IMPORTER and it usually has to be stamped with the importer's markings. For example, a M1906 Swiss Military has to imported by a licensed importer.

I hope that this information is helpful to you. If you would like to understand this area a little better, please feel free to contact me.

Good luck,
Albert

Herb · 07-28-2003, 11:29 PM

Albert, I'm sure the following will surprise you as much as it did me. I accidently stumbled across this looking for something else. Amazing what happens when ole Uncle Sam wants to buy a favor, check it-

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.e...et_imports.txt

Now all we have to do is find a contact in any country that has one for sale, ( military model) find a friend in Russia that will take delivery and then ship it here to us?? Sounds good to me.

07-10-2003, 11:10 PM	#1
hipwr223 User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pa Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	One time import question Anyone ever buy a Swiss from over seaseas? Is it a do-able proposition? What fed form is required? Does an import mark need to be stamped on a one time import? Any ideas? John

07-10-2003, 11:13 PM	#2
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/faq/index.htm __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

07-10-2003, 11:15 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	Lots of ideas, and some facts. Military guns have to be imported and require lots of work. ALL guns coming into the US must be import marked. I am pretty sure that only certain companies with proper permits can import guns. Antique guns can be sent straight to your house, one of my friends did it this last year. Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

07-11-2003, 11:38 AM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	Simpson's offers Import services for a fee... They are in the Links & Resources sectio of the website... It ain't cheap... but it is possible. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

07-28-2003, 11:29 PM	#9
Herb User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Utah, in the land of the Sleeping Rainbow Posts: 1,457 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Albert, I'm sure the following will surprise you as much as it did me. I accidently stumbled across this looking for something else. Amazing what happens when ole Uncle Sam wants to buy a favor, check it- http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.e...et_imports.txt Now all we have to do is find a contact in any country that has one for sale, ( military model) find a friend in Russia that will take delivery and then ship it here to us?? Sounds good to me. __________________ Utah, where gun control means a steady trigger pull

07-11-2003, 12:03 PM	#5
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello John, With red Bern lguers going on the Swiss auction site for only $ 450-1100 USD and prices in the USA at $ 2200 up to $ 2900 nowdays, maybe importation through a reputible outfit may start to make sense...even with fees and costs... I think a good outfit like Simpson's on this end and a good agent on the Switzerland end would tend to take much of the risks out of the transaction. But you do end up with a gun that is import-stamped...which might be the biggest downside... Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

07-11-2003, 12:18 PM	#6
panda User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 148 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Just out of curiosity: How is an antique gun defined under US law? Would 1900-1906 Lugers qualify?

07-28-2003, 02:38 AM	#7
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Hello Panda, Any pistol/revolver made before the year 1898 is considered an "antique" and is very easy to bring into the USA. But the date of manufacturer needs to be known. For example, the Swiss model 1882 revolver should be an antique, but since it was made from 1882 through 1929, certain M1882's may not qualify as an antique... However, the BATF may not know when a particular M1882 was actually made, so I am sure some M1882's "sneak" into the USA... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

07-28-2003, 05:02 AM	#8
Imperial Arms Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Malta, EU Posts: 579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Hello Panda, Based on my experience with importing firearms in to the US, any model pistol which is made before 1898 can be imported without a ATF Form 6. Therefore, any Luger made between 1900-1906 is NOT considered an antique and requires an import permit. The classification of a firearm is based on its actual model designation such as a M1898, M1900, M1902, M1906 etc. According to US Customs regulations, any gun which is more than 100 years old is considered an antique and is exempt from the 10% import duties only, but in a few cases, an ATF Form 6 is still required. For example, if you wish to import a 1902 Swiss Luger in to the US, a FFL holder would need to submit three ATF Form 6 to the BATF in Washington D.C., however, you will not need to pay the 10% import duties. You should also bear in mind that a FFL holder can only import COMMERCIAL firearms. If the firearm is military, it can only be imported by a LICENSED IMPORTER and it usually has to be stamped with the importer's markings. For example, a M1906 Swiss Military has to imported by a licensed importer. I hope that this information is helpful to you. If you would like to understand this area a little better, please feel free to contact me. Good luck, Albert