Bringing parts from USA to SA

[saswart]

hi all,

Want to hear if the following is allowed (read all different rules on different state regulations), whether firearm related equipment can be brought from USA to SA in booked in luggage (final flights are from California, transfer in Atlanta to SA). My father is going to some shows/clients and I wish to buy some FA magazines, maybe a scope etc. and let him bring it back.

Thanks!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

No problem, checked luggage best.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Short answer is not likely. The US now has a regulation that essentially restricts export of gun parts except by licensed exporters. I had a problem with this last year when I ordered a barrel custom made in the US (I live in Canada). Fortunately, I'm still a US citizen and a permanent resident of Canada with a valid gun possession license. I simply put the action with 30-06 barrel into a stock so that it was a whole rifle, drove it across the border, and had the new barrel installed. That way everything was legal as I was technically not exporting gun part. I declared the barrel when I reentered Canada as a purchase during the trip and paid the duty.

The US has the export ban in place but will security at US Airport enforce it? Good question. He should NOT attempt to put gun parts in carryon baggage. That won't work and I can speak from personal experience. Scopes are the exception and I believe they are also exempt from the gun parts ban (except night vision scopes). So, he MIGHT be able to essentially smuggle the gun part out of US in checked baggage. Or he might get hassled, miss a flight, and parts go in the trash. Will he be able to get it through customs on your end? Maybe not. The US signed onto an international agreement on this export/import ban. Not all countries are are on board.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have taken items for the PHs the last 5 trips. Reloading Bullets, unprimed brass, optics, rifle magazines, scope rings and bases, replacement triggers and small gun parts. Even screwdriver and punch sets.
No issues. All was in checked bags. Usually 1 bag dedicated for all of there items. Flown Delta, United and Qatar. Bags always have been opened by TSA as there was there inspection paper inside each trip stating they had opened and checked.
June this year will see another bag with more going over.
I would however NOT try and take any receivers barrels or night vision and thermal. Those items are pushing it.

 

[saswart]

Thanks all!

 

[flying sailor]

Figure it will be inspected, mine was. Wonder what they thought about 3 knives, bottle of whiskey and 4 large perfume sets? probably thought it was "risky business".

 

[JoninCO]

Not sure about SA import law but for US exports there are really two things to be concerned with, and both are regulated at the federal level.

ITAR, administered by the State Dept., used to regulate all firearms accessories for export classification. Some items in the commercial market (NV, thermal, guns, mags over 50rd capacity, and various other items) are still ITAR regulated. If the scope you want is ITAR regulated you’d need to follow those guidelines.

Most firearms parts were reclassified a couple years ago under the Dept of Commerce EAR and are now administered by them. This would encompass the majority of firearms accessories particularly those geared towards hunting.

I work at a major exporter of firearms accessories and we have lawyers that just handle compliance, but looking into those regulations (ITAR/EAR) may help define what and how much you can take out without any risk.

 

[Marcos Rodriguez]

Like others mentioned, ITAR compliance is what you should be aware of. It's not a piece of cake going through it, but it's manageable. I recommend getting a consultant to let you know how to do it. Here's one: https://corporateinvestigation.com/import-export/