Buying a suppressor and bringing back to US- can it be done?

[Albert GRANT]

Curious if this is possible, and if so does anyone know what I have to do? They are literally a fraction of the cost in RSA compared to us. Toying with the idea of getting one on my way back home for the .375. After being in close proximity to Andri while we both unloaded the guns on warthogs (.300 wsm and .375 h&h, both supressed) and having no hearing issues at all after it was over, it has become plain to me that I should have one on every rifle I own! Any immediate responses (within 18hrs) would be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[lcq]

Curious if this is possible, and if so does anyone know what I have to do? They are literally a fraction of the cost in RSA compared to us. Toying with the idea of getting one on my way back home for the .375. After being in close proximity to Andri while we both unloaded the guns on warthogs (.300 wsm and .375 h&h, both supressed) and having no hearing issues at all after it was over, it has become plain to me that I should have one on every rifle I own! Any immediate responses (within 18hrs) would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Forms, FFL license, fingerprints, money and time. Nothing government does is quick unless it is taking more of your money

 

[thriller]

I could be mistaken, but I believe that in SA they are not regulated and dont have serial numbers. In the U.S. they are required to be registerd by serial number.

please look into this more- I seem to remember reading this somewhere though.

 

[thriller]

Also I bought 4 in the us in February and they still havent shown up.... should be soon, but this is going to take a while.

 

[thriller]

the serial number thing is your biggest hurtle, it is however going to take a long time for all of the paper work to go through.

 

[Red Leg]

Another major issue is that you can't possess one in the US (in the states where they are permitted at all) without the license. And you apply to be licensed for the specific, by serial number, suppressor(s) which you are purchasing. Finally, the transfer to you must be handled through an FFL holder with a class 3 license. I can't conceive of anyway that you could enter the country with them in your possession without having committed a serious set of Federal and State (depending upon port of entry) felonies. The attached may be helpful. http://www.silencerresearch.com/Silencerguide.pdf

 

[BRICKBURN]

OUCH!

 

[Bullthrower338]

I would say, if even possible, by the time you got through all the red tape and government bureaucracy trying to import an item that requires a tax stamp and is regulated by the firearms act, that cheap suppressor will cost you much more than the 1k you will pay here.
Getting pinched with one that was not properly purchased and registered will get you free meals and a roof over your head but the view sucks.
Good luck,
Cody

 

[sierraone]

Pay attention to the above posts, or you will most likely do jail time and pay a huge fine.If you like them so much, you could do your repeat hunts with the same operator, then buy and leave a suppressor with him. When you get home have your rifle muzzle threaded here to use when hunting Africa. Be sure to know the thread size. That way you have a cheap suppressor, will have a suppressed rifle for South Africa, and probably won't have any legal issues, at least pertaining to a suppressor!!!

 

[BWH]

It is a process..... First you buy it (don't take possession), obtain a gun trust, complete forms, submit to ATF w/ $200, then wait 6-12 months. I have 5...... Not to state the obvious. However, these do not go on any & every firearm, and the firearm must have a threaded barrel.

 

[Mekaniks]

To be legal you have to have it shipped to a class 3 dealer, and then do the paper work and and pay the government before you can possess it. $40.00 for picture and finger prints, $100.00 for the dealer, $200.00 for tax stamp, waiting 6 mo+ for the BATF to process your request PRICELESS....

I have one in the works right now. Can't pick it up until the government is done making me safer...(sarcasm intended)

If you brought one back in pieces (taken apart) and in several different pieces of luggage, and with no serial numbers, would it be worth the quality time with your new shower mates if you got caught? Not for me...

 

[Albert GRANT]

I am aware of what the laws are regarding owning one as well as how they fit on firearms, as I already own one. What I was unclear on was if I could buy if here and have it sent to an ffl upon arrival in the us until paperwork cleared. I have heard of people buying them out of country and getting them back, but I now suspect it was all on chance, and I'm not willing to risk it. Thanks for the input

 

[CAustin]

Yep never risk anything where the government Is going to get into your business.

 

[greyfox]

Yes, unfortunately 18 hours is not enough time to get the answers you need, If you can, go to the BATF website. Serial number is not a real issue, you create one and etch it on, better if you take the can to a laser engraver and have it done, looks better.
I am not a lawyer or ATF Agent, but I believe POSSESSION is not illegal until you mount it on the firearm.

Before people jump on me: OWNING a short shotgun barrel (< 18 inches) is not illegal, but once you mount it on the receiver it is. Otherwise it's a paperweight or a pipe.

It's costly, but you could ship it in your baggage, then "surrender" it to a class III dealer, then complete the application and pay the fee. After it's approved you pay the Dealer his charge and it's yours.

Now the issue is NOT BATF, it's State Department because you are importing and I have no idea what you'd need to do to import one item (Other than stick it in your suitcase and keep your mouth shut). Realise you can NEVER sell it because it's not imported legally.

All in all, I thought the same thing, in one country, I could walk in with my rifle, and walk out threaded with the suppressor installed for $700, BUT I could not bring it back into the states legally. Also, since I have an FFL, I have "more" to lose, based on home and business.
Also, I saw a couple of rifles I'd love to own at a great price, but again, I cannot IMPORT them without a license.

Perhaps you could declare it on your customs forms as as souvenir or a paper weight?

One more item: Probably the best advice: Don't buy it yet, check with State and BATF, do what you need (you are not intentionally violating a law) and see of your PH can bring it with him or send it with someone coming over in January for the trade shows. I'm sure that's covered somewhere or else the guys overseas would have a trunk filled with the things to sell.

Think Night Vision Devices, BATF has no jurisdiction on those but State does because you're importing.

New England Guns is in Maine, I believe and they have export permits because a PH was looking at buying a double rifle here and taking back to Africa with him. The shop would handle the transaction legally but it was going to cost something like $1500 - $2000, If I remember correctly.

 

[Red Leg]

Yes, unfortunately 18 hours is not enough time to get the answers you need, If you can, go to the BATF website. Serial number is not a real issue, you create one and etch it on, better if you take the can to a laser engraver and have it done, looks better.
I am not a lawyer or ATF Agent, but I believe POSSESSION is not illegal until you mount it on the firearm.

Before people jump on me: OWNING a short shotgun barrel (< 18 inches) is not illegal, but once you mount it on the receiver it is. Otherwise it's a paperweight or a pipe.

It's costly, but you could ship it in your baggage, then "surrender" it to a class III dealer, then complete the application and pay the fee. After it's approved you pay the Dealer his charge and it's yours.

Now the issue is NOT BATF, it's State Department because you are importing and I have no idea what you'd need to do to import one item (Other than stick it in your suitcase and keep your mouth shut). Realise you can NEVER sell it because it's not imported legally.

All in all, I thought the same thing, in one country, I could walk in with my rifle, and walk out threaded with the suppressor installed for $700, BUT I could not bring it back into the states legally. Also, since I have an FFL, I have "more" to lose, based on home and business.
Also, I saw a couple of rifles I'd love to own at a great price, but again, I cannot IMPORT them without a license.

Perhaps you could declare it on your customs forms as as souvenir or a paper weight?

One more item: Probably the best advice: Don't buy it yet, check with State and BATF, do what you need (you are not intentionally violating a law) and see of your PH can bring it with him or send it with someone coming over in January for the trade shows. I'm sure that's covered somewhere or else the guys overseas would have a trunk filled with the things to sell.

Think Night Vision Devices, BATF has no jurisdiction on those but State does because you're importing.

New England Guns is in Maine, I believe and they have export permits because a PH was looking at buying a double rifle here and taking back to Africa with him. The shop would handle the transaction legally but it was going to cost something like $1500 - $2000, If I remember correctly.

"Perhaps you could declare it on your customs forms as a souvenir or a paper weight?" Seriously!?! I genuinely hope you are joking. And I hope our friend realizes you are. Over $500 bucks in savings and a few months of time, you are suggesting he risk a major felony conviction?

 

[markferrigno]

Yes, unfortunately 18 hours is not enough time to get the answers you need, If you can, go to the BATF website. Serial number is not a real issue, you create one and etch it on, better if you take the can to a laser engraver and have it done, looks better.
I am not a lawyer or ATF Agent, but I believe POSSESSION is not illegal until you mount it on the firearm.

Before people jump on me: OWNING a short shotgun barrel (< 18 inches) is not illegal, but once you mount it on the receiver it is. Otherwise it's a paperweight or a pipe.

It's costly, but you could ship it in your baggage, then "surrender" it to a class III dealer, then complete the application and pay the fee. After it's approved you pay the Dealer his charge and it's yours.

Now the issue is NOT BATF, it's State Department because you are importing and I have no idea what you'd need to do to import one item (Other than stick it in your suitcase and keep your mouth shut). Realise you can NEVER sell it because it's not imported legally.

All in all, I thought the same thing, in one country, I could walk in with my rifle, and walk out threaded with the suppressor installed for $700, BUT I could not bring it back into the states legally. Also, since I have an FFL, I have "more" to lose, based on home and business.
Also, I saw a couple of rifles I'd love to own at a great price, but again, I cannot IMPORT them without a license.

Perhaps you could declare it on your customs forms as as souvenir or a paper weight?

One more item: Probably the best advice: Don't buy it yet, check with State and BATF, do what you need (you are not intentionally violating a law) and see of your PH can bring it with him or send it with someone coming over in January for the trade shows. I'm sure that's covered somewhere or else the guys overseas would have a trunk filled with the things to sell.

Think Night Vision Devices, BATF has no jurisdiction on those but State does because you're importing.

New England Guns is in Maine, I believe and they have export permits because a PH was looking at buying a double rifle here and taking back to Africa with him. The shop would handle the transaction legally but it was going to cost something like $1500 - $2000, If I remember correctly.

"I am not a lawyer or ATF Agent, but I believe POSSESSION is not illegal until you mount it on the firearm."

It is a good thing cause legal advice like that would get your client in prison. It is illegal to possess one regardless if it is mounted or not without a tax stamp ($200 for each NFA item) This is why it sits at the Class III dealer for 6 months or so after you buy it. Once they receive your stamp they call you to pick it up with the item.

There are several models that have a removable threaded piece that the suppressor clicks onto, this way you can use one suppressor on several (similar caliber rifles) just but the extra threaded pieces which are not NFA items.

 

[lcq]

In the socialist workers paradise of Canukistan you get an automatic 8 years in the can for having a supressor attached or not and almost the same for having a magazine that isn't pinned to 5 rounds rifle or 10 pistol. Consider yourself fortunate you can even own and hunt with one. I just dropped cash on behind the ear protectors for hunting where a supressor would have been a much better option.

 

[mdwest]

I don't want to stray too far off topic.. But..

What is the cost of a suppressor in SA? And what's the turn around time for having a rifle tapped to accept a suppressor in SA?

I have zero desire to bring one back to the US.. But it might worth considering for use in SA if it's affordable..

I could donate the suppressor to the outfitter or PH when the hunt is over... And then the rifle would already be tapped and ready to accept a suppressor purchased in the US (with required tax stamp) when I got back home..

 

[greyfox]

Regards to possession, Mark is correct, because you cannot take possession until the tax stamp is approved.

Putting it in your luggage and claiming it as a souvenir: Suppose you disassembled it, put some in your luggage and some in your wife's luggage, it's not a suppressor, not until it's assembled. The INTENT to violate the law is what will nail you, obviously, posting on the internet on an open forum is not INTENT to violate a law.

Otherwise, having access to a lathe and milling machine and having the ability to make a suppressor makes you a felon.

Lastly, mdwest. When I looked, $700 US , walk in with your rifle, walk out with a threaded barrel and suppressor. Interestingly, some countries and jurisdictions REQUIRE a moderator (English term for what we call a suppressor).

Another issue, not a major one, is that the rest of the world threads metric. Suppose you managed to get one (or a brake) and got your barrel threaded in the states, you'd have to have the gunsmith or machinist match the threads, which means, you bring it to me (supressor) and you don't have the stamp, I am obligated to contact ATF or I risk a conviction and loss of license.

 

[Red Leg]

Regards to possession, Mark is correct, because you cannot take possession until the tax stamp is approved.

Putting it in your luggage and claiming it as a souvenir: Suppose you disassembled it, put some in your luggage and some in your wife's luggage, it's not a suppressor, not until it's assembled. The INTENT to violate the law is what will nail you, obviously, posting on the internet on an open forum is not INTENT to violate a law.

Otherwise, having access to a lathe and milling machine and having the ability to make a suppressor makes you a felon.

Lastly, mdwest. When I looked, $700 US , walk in with your rifle, walk out with a threaded barrel and suppressor. Interestingly, some countries and jurisdictions REQUIRE a moderator (English term for what we call a suppressor).

Another issue, not a major one, is that the rest of the world threads metric. Suppose you managed to get one (or a brake) and got your barrel threaded in the states, you'd have to have the gunsmith or machinist match the threads, which means, you bring it to me (supressor) and you don't have the stamp, I am obligated to contact ATF or I risk a conviction and loss of license.

Are you truly serious? Taking it apart does absolutely nothing to mitigate the fact you are smuggling a controlled class 3 item into the country. In fact it simply will serve to prove ones willful, premeditated intent. It is exactly the same as if you broke apart a semi- auto handgun among three people and attempted to board an aircraft. "Well' it wasn't a pistol until assembled" isn't likely to impress either DHS or the federal judge who eventually will hear the case.