Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

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jdwoodbury
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Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#1 Post by jdwoodbury »

Hi All,

I travel regularly to the US and want to start stocking up on things before I receive my FAC. Now I did a quick search and I can see there are some prohibited items (such as scopes), but I wanted to know if there was a good source on the internet where I can check for banned items. I am looking to brings things like brass, dies, bullet heads (maybe).

Regards,

JD
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saddler
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#2 Post by saddler »

jdwoodbury wrote:Hi All,

I travel regularly to the US and want to start stocking up on things before I receive my FAC. Now I did a quick search and I can see there are some prohibited items (such as scopes), but I wanted to know if there was a good source on the internet where I can check for banned items. I am looking to brings things like brass, dies, bullet heads (maybe).

Regards,

JD
You need to carefully study the US ITAR laws/rules

The majority of ammunition components are specifically banned from export under ITAR (aside from shotshell components - cases, wads, etc. but NOT powder/primers)
You MAY get lucky bringing bullet HEADS out as they are not a legally recognised description of any ammunition component...though US Customs/TSA may think they look like bullets & you'll win a free orange jumpsuit & memorable shower time experiences.

Dies & re-loading presses, press parts, scales, lead smelting pots, etc. are all ok to export.
As are cartridge magazines of 10-rd or under size.

IF you were travelling to the EU = none of the above issues, no ITAR to panic over, several prime EU based ammo. & accessory makers exist , most with products at below or the same cost as the US made offerings (& the EU is an easier/shorter supply chain = plus not much panic buying in the EU of arms/ammo. leading to shortages, unlike the USA scene.)
YMMV
jdwoodbury
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#3 Post by jdwoodbury »

Thanks for the advice here, I will have to start looking for some EU supply of reloading components and comparing prices.
I am happy to buy that sort of stuff unseen and have no great desire to visit a US jail (other than Alcatraz as a tourist) ;)
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#4 Post by BamBam »

Stuff you can easily bring back are firearm related tools, which cost loads here.

I got my Wheeler fat wrench torque screw driver in Gander Mountain for about £39 with sales tax, they're around £65 in the UK.
Otis cleaning kits were really cheap in Wally world, also no restrictions.
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jdwoodbury
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#5 Post by jdwoodbury »

I was in Little Rock a few months ago and popped into Pro Bass Shop, considering it is not even a specialist shooting store I was blown away by the amount and variation of stock. I am starting to do my research now for my shooting kit and can start collecting while my FAC comes in (could take 7-8 months!!)
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#6 Post by HALODIN »

If you ever travel to Canada, you won't have any ITAR issues there.
jdwoodbury
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#7 Post by jdwoodbury »

HALODIN wrote:If you ever travel to Canada, you won't have any ITAR issues there.
m

I am in Vancouver in a few weeks time but they don't appear to much better on price. The major players like MidwayUSA will also not post to Canada.
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#8 Post by HALODIN »

It depends what you're after. The margins on brass, bullets and dies must be minimal, but you may make savings on items that are manufactured in Canada like Elcan scopes.
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Gazoo
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#9 Post by Gazoo »

saddler wrote:
jdwoodbury wrote:Hi All,

I travel regularly to the US and want to start stocking up on things before I receive my FAC. Now I did a quick search and I can see there are some prohibited items (such as scopes), but I wanted to know if there was a good source on the internet where I can check for banned items. I am looking to brings things like brass, dies, bullet heads (maybe).

Regards,

JD
You need to carefully study the US ITAR laws/rules

The majority of ammunition components are specifically banned from export under ITAR (aside from shotshell components - cases, wads, etc. but NOT powder/primers)
You MAY get lucky bringing bullet HEADS out as they are not a legally recognised description of any ammunition component...though US Customs/TSA may think they look like bullets & you'll win a free orange jumpsuit & memorable shower time experiences.

Dies & re-loading presses, press parts, scales, lead smelting pots, etc. are all ok to export.
As are cartridge magazines of 10-rd or under size.

IF you were travelling to the EU = none of the above issues, no ITAR to panic over, several prime EU based ammo. & accessory makers exist , most with products at below or the same cost as the US made offerings (& the EU is an easier/shorter supply chain = plus not much panic buying in the EU of arms/ammo. leading to shortages, unlike the USA scene.)
YMMV
I was told by a Dutch gunshop that they need an export licence to sell bullets to those who do not have Dutch FAC (equivalent )! takes a couple of weeks.
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Re: Bringing equipment from the US (what is banned)?

#10 Post by phaedra1106 »

jdwoodbury wrote:HI can see there are some prohibited items (such as scopes)
Scopes in general are not prohibited, only those designated for military use or those with image enhancement built in. Your bog standard rifle scope is fine, just bear in mind your UK customs limit is only £390 so anything above that will have duty/VAT applied (assuming you declare it).

There's a handy calculator here, https://www.dutycalculator.com/new-impo ... lculation/
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