How would I go about buying a rifle from US?

[juststarting]

So pretty self explanatory topic here... I am interested in the process that I would need to follow to be able to import a rifle from US.

I have no plans, but I am interested because surely this must be doable.

Has anyone done this and are you willing to share the experience? Process, cost, gotchas, etc.

[Chronos]

from what i've heard you need an agent over there willing to send it and sort out export permits etc, i think it cost around $500 unless they're already an exporter then you need a dealer here willing to handle things at this end. customs need to do their safety tests on it and you need to pay the dealer here to pick it up in person form them. all up it may cost more that the guns worth unless it's something special and worth the effort

Chronos

[Baronvonrort]

There are a few ways it can be done.

If you have a friend who is coming for a holiday from the USA they can bring a rifle if they're going hunting with an approved hunting club or participating in approved target shooting comp, have a look at overseas permits with state firearms registry for what they need to bring in a rifle.
Then you need a PTA and have to get a gun shop to do the deal to buy the gun from them.

My father moved to the USA with his 3rd wife around 20 years ago and retired there he has no desire to come back, he has given me a rifle or 2 which i lodged PTA's for and got B709 to bring through customs then i went for a holiday and picked them up, i got a hunting license there so i could legally hold rifle about $100, declare it to customs they will seize it then a gun dealer has to pick it up and register it for you.
Safari firearms charged me $200 to get guns from customs and register them, their rate was the same with one gun or 2, there is no way around this step

I am going over next June for 4 weeks will be taking the old mans Bren gun to the range

[brett1868]

How appropriate this thread comes up today as I spent 40 mins on the phone this morning talking to Lea at the NSW Registry about my next import project. A others have alluded to, it's not a cost effective option unless it's something very special or expensive. Most of the fees are fixed regardless of quantity so you'll be up for some if not all of the below....

ITAR Export Permit $500 USD
Agency fees $165 USD (Approx)
Shipping generally must be air and expect around $40 USD per Kg
Aus Customs fees / GST - Variable
Aus freight forwarded fees - Allow a couple hundred
NSW Dealer Pickup - $200 AUD
Registration - $50
PTA - $30

If it's a one off import of no significant value then get in touch with Danny at Delta Tactical in Vic as he brings firearms in on a regular basis and can probably add it to one of his shipments. The ITAR fee covers 1 or 50 guns so there's economies of scale to be had.
My next import has received a verbal ok from the registry but now I need to get approval from Border Force as it's a weird caliber they may not like.

[juststarting]

Thanks all. Baronvonrort, I like this option. So theoretically, if I am Stateside, I could buy $100 hunting licence, then purchase a rifle and travel back with it?

To see if I understand the next part correctly: on arrival, customs takes the rifle, I apply for a PTA and encourage the dealer to pick it up from customs, etc.

Regarding, B709 - I am in VIC, so potentially it's a different form, either way though - do I apply before departure from AU or on arrival back to AU after customs take possession of the rife?

Thanks

[gazza]

Make sure everything is in place before customs seize it. I imported a high powered laser and had it seized. I had to have it repackaged and sent back to Europe. They almost didn't let me do that. I then had it re-imported. A $1200 laser cost me $1800.

[Baronvonrort]

Thanks all. Baronvonrort, I like this option. So theoretically, if I am Stateside, I could buy $100 hunting licence, then purchase a rifle and travel back with it?

To see if I understand the next part correctly: on arrival, customs takes the rifle, I apply for a PTA and encourage the dealer to pick it up from customs, etc.

Regarding, B709 - I am in VIC, so potentially it's a different form, either way though - do I apply before departure from AU or on arrival back to AU after customs take possession of the rife?

Thanks

I would have the PTA approved and B709 before bringing a gun back here, in my case it was easier because my father owned the rifles and I inherited them from him.

The hunting license allowed me to carry the rifles without getting hassled, not sure on what the go is with buying them there as I never did that, state laws do vary just like here.

I wouldn't try to bring anything through customs that needs a B709 without having a B709.

Customs will seize every firearm that has never been registered here even if you have B709 and PTA for it, they can only be picked up from customs by a firearms dealer who will register it before handing it over.

[juststarting]

Thanks guys. Not really looking for anything specific, but going to USA is not off the table so that's an excellent tip. Brett, thanks for the import guy tip, I should at the very least say hi

[bladeracer]

Make sure everything is in place before customs seize it. I imported a high powered laser and had it seized. I had to have it repackaged and sent back to Europe. They almost didn't let me do that. I then had it re-imported. A $1200 laser cost me $1800.

Agreed, the magazine I imported without a permit they wouldn't allow even if I did then apply for the permit. The permit has to be in place before it ships to Oz.
I think basically, once a prohibited item lands here without a permit you're unlikely to ever see it again, think of it as a "fine" for making the mistake.

Get the permit beforehand, send a copy to the seller, and have it included so it arrives here _with_ the package - you should have zero problems.
Even if you don't have the permit, make sure the seller properly labels the package. Customs accept that mistakes happen. If they pull something that is labeled "toys" and find a rifle barrel or a magazine inside they're not going to be very nice to deal with.

Importing motorcycle parts you need to be aware that some items attract import duty. I believe to provide an incentive to buy from local manufacturers instead of importing.
Exhaust systems and mufflers are the most obvious one, but there are some others.
Do any firearms parts fall into such a category?

[Prousey]

You can also import parts i.e. magazines at 1/10th of the cost from this website that will deal with the export permits from the US because ITAR laws apply to nearly all firearms parts coming from the US. From my conversation with them online, all you need is the B709A filled out and approved here and they will take care of the rest in the US. Even with all the postage and fees, it still works out cheaper than sourcing them locally.

http://www.borderview.com/services/for- ... n-service/

[Gamerancher]

As a non-residential "alien", you cannot purchase a firearm in the U.S while you are there, not legally anyway, you'll need a resident third party. You can purchase from here if the seller will deal with you. Usually through an F.F.L dealer over there. Then you need them to be a licenced exporter. Fees vary. B.A.T.F.E permits start at $250 U.S plus taxes. That's what the dealer I use charges, most of the ones that advertise this service start at $500. As Brett said, you can put a number of items on the one permit. It pays to bundle. Postage starts at around $120 for 1 "standard" rifle, then it goes up with the weight of "extras".
As an example, the last rifle I imported along with 750 .45-90 cases (these weighed 10kg all up) , cost $260 in postage alone.
As has been stated by others, unless it is something you cannot get here that you desperately want, it is not really worth it. A "cheap" common rifle over there will no longer be such a bargain by the time you import it.

[ICEng]

We've got US export permits and AUS import permits in place, we bring in shipments each week for various parts and complete firearms (we work with most of the large retailers and direct with distributors) so if there's anything you want, just let us know and we can get it in.

Some of the larger retailers will sell direct to Australia for parts but nothing valued over $100USD (due to their export regulations). But you will want to be very clear about import regulations on anything you order in so it doesn't get seized.

To import a firearm or parts through us, you don't need a PTA before importing. Usually our customers will file for the PTA once the firearm lands in Australia (we can bring it in, we just cant let you take it home until you have the PTA).

Happy to price something up for you, just flick me an email at [email protected] or ph 0402219831.

[Baz460]

I bought a Smith and Wesson 460 XVR, from the States, It took me 7 months and a lot of headaches to get it here. I would never do it again.

Cheers, Baz.

[Title_II]

Thanks guys. Not really looking for anything specific, but going to USA is not off the table so that's an excellent tip. Brett, thanks for the import guy tip, I should at the very least say hi

You may knw more than this than me. I'm just going to point out a possible pitfall from my understanding. You have to be a permanent resident of the US to possess a firearm here, or have a hunting license, or authorization of the state department. Usually people borrow guns or bring them from their home countries. I didn't believe you can buy a gun in the US unless a permanent resident, but you would have to check that.

[brett1868]

I bought a Smith and Wesson 460 XVR, from the States, It took me 7 months and a lot of headaches to get it here. I would never do it again.

Cheers, Baz.

Slight sidetrack...apologies to the O.P
Baz, have you had any issues with it yet? I have the 8 3/8" barrel version and lost the HiViz front sight, it took off downrange never to be seen again. Also the Hornady factory 200gr ammo is all over the place with pressure, primers show excessive signs of pressure so be careful of using it. A good load I've found on mine is 45.5gr of AR2205 pushing the 200gr Hornady FTX lit by a Federal 215m primer. Grouping 2-3" @ 100m which is the best I've managed so far. Also if you're thinking to scope it send me a pm and I'll give you some advice on bases to use.

[sandgroperbill]

Warning: hijack

Title, where the hell did you disappear to, mate? You seemed to drop off the planet there

[Title_II]

Warning: hijack

Title, where the hell did you disappear to, mate? You seemed to drop off the planet there

I was very sick. Like can't get out of a chair or get offf the floor sick. For months. Every problem you can imagine on top of that. Stuff leaking out of my skin (for real). I read internet some but dindin't type much. After a while I couldn't see the letters. Had reaction to meds and halucinated for a few days and called the cops. In the following months my Dr.'s were calling the cops on me. Then my numbers went to crap and lab called me and said I was almost dead, if not already. I told them I would not go to ER without talking to my doc. Cops started baning at my door and said my doc said I was probably unconcscious or dead. They were coming in and where going to find me. They wanted to take me to the ER. I said I still had to talk to my Doc. I called my doc and she said she called and didn't get me and thought I was dead. I was dying and had to go to ER right away. So I went and told them what was up, an if they didn't get a bag in me immeditely they were going to have to clean a body out of the lobby. 5 days in ICU. It sucked. They won't let you out of bed. A nurse told me and I said No Way. I will go bonkers after being in this bed in less than 12 hours. she leaves and comes back with a doc. She talks to the doc and doc is watching me, then says "15 mg oxabenzoclown" or some crap. I say,"Hey! What is that going to to! I'm not taking anything that will knock me out or make me tired." She says, "It won't make you tired, it will just make you less of an asshole. We need you to calm down, you are going to drive yourself crazy."

Been geting better but still have some long term work to do.

[sandgroperbill]

Wow,sorryto hear, mate. We thought you might have gone on holiday or something, perhaps a year long african safari

Glad to hear you're starting to turn around and come good. Take care of yourself