Importing guns into Oz

[DrewRoss]

Hi lads,

Had dinner with a friend of mine last night from the States. He was telling me that he wants to import his guns from the US to Australia so he can take up shooting again.

Is this possible and if so, what would be his first step (apart from getting his licence)? His guns are all cat A and B so no probs there. Thanks in advance for your help.

[doc]

Check out https://www.border.gov.au/Busi/Impo/Pro ... b-firearms

Should be a summary of information there on what is required,

From what I can tell you will require a B709A form. It also appears as though testing is required. (I wonder if this means the ABF tests each firearm that's imported? Might make sense why some brand new firearms I've purchased have been fired and left uncleaned). Where do I apply for that job?

The website says that you will require permission from the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department prior to importation.I'm not sure whether the B709A form covers that, or whether a separate permission note would be required.

[brett1868]

DrewRoss, much will depend on the type of firearms and what state he intends to reside in. Daryl from Meplat Firearm services in VIC has been importing from the US for several years and are in the process of importing a custom 50BMG for a friend of mine. Get your friend to contact Daryl and let them sort it out between them cause while it's not overly difficult on the Aus side to import the US side of export can be complicated process.

[DrewRoss]

Thanks guys. Has anyone dealt with Blackrange? They do the same thing as Meplat apparently.

[DrewRoss]

And on. The type of guns we're talking 300WM a 22LR and a couple of 12G. DB shoties

[Supaduke]

Unless they are special or particularly expensive, is it really cost effective?

Would it be more economical to sell his guns there and buy new ones here?

I'm just curious. Strikes me as an expensive process to import guns on a small scale.

[duncan61]

I am not sure about other states but I can see no problem with packing them as luggage and licensing them when you get here just need a $35 serviceability certificate and a reason why you need them or same thing and ship them.In pieces they are no different from handtools

[WatchyShooter]

One thing some people forget is that while here in Australia we need the import permits, some international firearms dealers or manufactures lack the required export permits or reside in a country with strict export requirements.

I actually reached out to Southern Gun Company about their lever release rifles and they confirmed they have the required export permits, so that’s one step closer to testing our laws and finding out if it’s aloud in

[1886]

I've previously personally imported 4 revolvers and 4 rifles direct from the US and obtaining the B709's took less than an hour. For basic firearms these are issued by the Police on behalf of ABF.

On arrival not being licenced his guns would be seized but held while a licence was procured, however it would be wise to check with Police as to whether they would issue a B709 to someone not yet licenced.

[DrewRoss]

Unless they are special or particularly expensive, is it really cost effective?

Would it be more economical to sell his guns there and buy new ones here?

I'm just curious. Strikes me as an expensive process to import guns on a small scale.

They're his late father's guns so they hold sentimental value.

[Daddybang]

I am not sure about other states but I can see no problem with packing them as luggage and licensing them when you get here just need a $35 serviceability certificate and a reason why you need them or same thing and ship them.In pieces they are no different from handtools

This does not sound right?

[1886]

Because it isn't

He would be stopped getting on his flight by some burly US security dudes and also having no export permit would be the least of his worries.

[Daddybang]

Yeah I thought there might be a difference between firearms and hand tools.