Selling a 1902 Luger Carbine in the UK

stallturn · 02-09-2009, 08:08 AM

Dear Mr Foley,

You are a frequent poster on this forum, but sometimes you spout the most unmitigated poppycock. Your post on importing Section 7 firearms into the UK was almost totally misinformed.

I hold a Section 7(1) firearms certificate. I am permitted to hold pistols and revolvers at home under strict (but not onerous) conditions. I know tens of other collectors with similar certificates, and through them I know there are hundreds of similar collectors (not a huge number I know, but not as rare as you suggest).

I have imported many Section 7 pistols and revolvers from the US. It can be a very easy process. Post 1898 weapons need a US export licence, but that is the only hassle from the US side. Imports do need to come through a registered dealer (RFD), but again all that is required is finding one to do the paperwork.

You talk about VAT - most of it rubbish. VAT is levied at only 5% on items over 100 years old - ie Antiques. All you have to do is make the right statement on the documentation. Import duty at 25% - where on earth did you get that from? VAT is the only tax applied.

So your $20,000 carbine example, assuming the carriage & insurance numbers are correct, would only cost the buyer $21,787 - a bit of a difference from your calculation of over $30,000.

Visits to the proof house are not required, if the weapon is to be kept as part of a collection and not shot.

I would wish to reassure our US friends that selling weapons into the UK is not as difficult as some would have you believe.

Pontificating on areas in which you clearly have no knowledge is not helpful to such trade as does exist.

By the way, I am looking to add to my collection of cased Webley revolvers (also Tranters). If anyone out there knows of any for sale (minty examples only), please send me a PM. Thanks

02-09-2009, 08:08 AM	#4
stallturn User Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dear Mr Foley, You are a frequent poster on this forum, but sometimes you spout the most unmitigated poppycock. Your post on importing Section 7 firearms into the UK was almost totally misinformed. I hold a Section 7(1) firearms certificate. I am permitted to hold pistols and revolvers at home under strict (but not onerous) conditions. I know tens of other collectors with similar certificates, and through them I know there are hundreds of similar collectors (not a huge number I know, but not as rare as you suggest). I have imported many Section 7 pistols and revolvers from the US. It can be a very easy process. Post 1898 weapons need a US export licence, but that is the only hassle from the US side. Imports do need to come through a registered dealer (RFD), but again all that is required is finding one to do the paperwork. You talk about VAT - most of it rubbish. VAT is levied at only 5% on items over 100 years old - ie Antiques. All you have to do is make the right statement on the documentation. Import duty at 25% - where on earth did you get that from? VAT is the only tax applied. So your $20,000 carbine example, assuming the carriage & insurance numbers are correct, would only cost the buyer $21,787 - a bit of a difference from your calculation of over $30,000. Visits to the proof house are not required, if the weapon is to be kept as part of a collection and not shot. I would wish to reassure our US friends that selling weapons into the UK is not as difficult as some would have you believe. Pontificating on areas in which you clearly have no knowledge is not helpful to such trade as does exist. By the way, I am looking to add to my collection of cased Webley revolvers (also Tranters). If anyone out there knows of any for sale (minty examples only), please send me a PM. Thanks