transfering firearms from out of country?

[savs2k]

i have a buddy who moved to china to work for while and he bought some firearms over there and wants to know if he can ship them back to the great state of cali =( after this project. Does anyone know the rules and regulations for transfering pistols to us the from out of state? Or is this a big nono?

[Quiet]

It would be cheaper for him to sell them and buy new firearms in the USA, then it would be to import the firearms he has in the PRC into the USA.

Requires getting approval from the BATFE, US Customs and the US State Department.

[scarry scarney]

import

Have your buddy go to http://www.atf.gov/forms/5000.htm#firearms, and download & complete ATF F 5330.3A (Form 6, part I). If your buddy is military he uses ATF 5330.3B (Form 6, part II). He then sends it in. ATF reviews and hopefully approves his import. Your buddy then packs his guns in his checked luggage, and gets on the plane. Once he gets back to the USA, he declares the firearms at customs, and gives the customs agent an ATF F 5330.3C (Form 6A).

It's a pain, but by doing the forms himself, the only price is postage.

Contact your "friendly" ATF office for assistance at .....

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Office of Public and Governmental Affairs
99 New York Ave. NE
Mail Stop 5S144
Washington, DC 20226

[savs2k]

thanks scarry i appreciate it. So if he was to go this route ATF takes it and you have to get it from them? Or they just check it and your on your way?

[duenor]

coool....
I'm going to Bulgaria in the fall ..heh heh heh.

[Bucc]

He bought guns in China?
I don't think so.
Guns are utterly outlawed in China.

[sszeto]

The thing you have to concern is not getting the gun in to here legally, but get the gun out of China, if you can, legally.

[hoozaru]

did your buddy buy guns from the chinese mafia? or Norinco? I dont think Norinco would sell to foreign/chinese civilians, unless you are or know someone of great importance.

coool....
I'm going to Bulgaria in the fall ..heh heh heh.

*cough* parts kit *cough*

[savs2k]

his familiy friend is a military official of some sort. Some kind of highly ranked official

[savs2k]

by the way hoozaru what is norinco?

[Quiet]

by the way hoozaru what is norinco?

China North Industries Group also known as Norinco.

Manufactures vehicles (trucks, cars and motorcycles), machinery, optical-electronic products, oil field equipment, chemicals, light industrial products, explosives and blast materials, civil and military firearms and ammunition.

[scarry scarney]

Still have to pass the "test"

Once your "buddy" identifies the firearm to the ATF. The ATF "reviews" the form to ensure that it meets the "sporting use" definition. I don't remember all the details, but barrel length, weight, caliber, sights, etc are all given a point value. If the weapon does not have enough points, they classify it as NON-IMPORTABLE. In addition, if the weapon is a military weapon, they will classify it as NON-IMPORTABLE.

I am just going on memories, of when I filled out my ATF form 6's back in the 80's to import stuff from Europe, while I was on Active duty. I am by no means an expert on this. I just remember the weapon had to have so many points, and not be prior military.

It is a whole lot easier, if you are military, and the item was purchased from a US Military Rod & Gun club. There are even provisions for military to import up to three long guns, without all the ATF Form 6's.