Krieghoff Classic Big Five Pricing

[MMAL]

So I have been wanting a double rifle ever since my return from Namibia last year. I have done a ton of research and handled a number of double rifles. Finally, I decided on a Krieghoff based on a number of factors including price. Then I started researching buying options and found the following:

1) Below is the USA price sheet off of the Krieghoff website. It lists the Classic Big Five at $13,995 before upgrades, etc.
2) Also below is a price list I found from Finland. It lists the price of Classic Big Five at 9,125 Euros which equals $9,900 USD, again before upgrades, etc. Furthermore, that price includes 24% VAT which, I am sure with some hassle, as a non-citizen you could get refunded. Thus making the price $7,524 USD.

I am wondering why the tremendous difference in pricing. I know about 6 years ago the exchange rate was up to a 45% difference but even that does not account for the differences.

Thoughts?

BTW I did buy my double rifle and in true, boys will be boys fashion, I bought two. I found a gentlemen "retiring" from Africa hunting, he is 82 and bought his Krieghoff Classic in 500/416 NE and his Blaser S2 in 500NE. The Krieghoff had a Leupold Scope 1-6 x 42 and the blaser has a Zeiss Varipoint VM 1.5-6x42 with illuminated reticle. Included were dies for each and brass/bullets. I paid less than the Euro price after VAT for each set-up, in a package deal. Not sure if I will keep both or have the scopes on the rifles for long but I am very happy at the current moment. I just need to shoot them often and book a another trip.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Nice! But my old shoulder hurts just thinking about pulling the trigger on one of those;(

 

[Red Leg]

I have written about the S2 a bit here on the forum. Extraordinary rifle. I have three sets of barrels with mine (500/416, .375, & 30-06). It is amazingly accurate, and because of that accuracy can be used differently than any other double I have used.

 

[sierraone]

I don't know anyone that imports rifles and guns from Finland. But if you find someone, you can add around $2000, maybe a little less to the price of the rifle. If they imports many guns from Finland, the import cost will probably be a good bit less. Contact @rookhawk. He knows an FFL holder in Vermont (?) that imports from England much less that many of the big guys. Not sure if he works Finland or not. If the rifle is new, there is probably not much concern about its condition. If it is used, being a double, you or a trusted person need to go there and see it first. (Talk to many of the double rifle owners on this forum, there are horror stories about used doubles, and they are expensive to repair). Importing firearms can be expensive, so do your research. I recently did so from England! Good Luck!

 

[MMAL]

Red Leg, I have read those reports and in talking to the seller he stated he actually liked to shoot the blaser 500NE over the Krieghoff 500/416NE. I believe, although I have not check yet, that the blaser has a mercury recoil reducer in the stock. In addition it has a very nice palm swell in the stock. It points nicely and the action is much smoother than the Krieghoff. I have read about the decocking feature but I have no issue with it because as a bird hunter, my natural motion is always to work the "safety" when bringing the gun up or down. It is just natural to me.

 

[MMAL]

I don't know anyone that imports rifles and guns from Finland. But if you find someone, you can add around $2000, maybe a little less to the price of the rifle. If they imports many guns from Finland, the import cost will probably be a good bit less. Contact @rookhawk. He knows an FFL holder in Vermont (?) that imports from England much less that many of the big guys. Not sure if he works Finland or not. If the rifle is new, there is probably not much concern about its condition. If it is used, being a double, you or a trusted person need to go there and see it first. (Talk to many of the double rifle owners on this forum, there are horror stories about used doubles, and they are expensive to repair). Importing firearms can be expensive, so do your research. I recently did so from England! Good Luck!

Good point, both the price points are for new rifles. There would be the paper work sure but we are talking about a $6,471 dollar difference, you would have to pay USA duties but for that amount of savings you could go over there yourself and get the gun. It was more to point out that the pricing on these guns are dramatically different or at least can in this case.

 

[rookhawk]

I don't know anyone that imports rifles and guns from Finland. But if you find someone, you can add around $2000, maybe a little less to the price of the rifle. If they imports many guns from Finland, the import cost will probably be a good bit less. Contact @rookhawk. He knows an FFL holder in Vermont (?) that imports from England much less that many of the big guys. Not sure if he works Finland or not. If the rifle is new, there is probably not much concern about its condition. If it is used, being a double, you or a trusted person need to go there and see it first. (Talk to many of the double rifle owners on this forum, there are horror stories about used doubles, and they are expensive to repair). Importing firearms can be expensive, so do your research. I recently did so from England! Good Luck!

My friend doesn't work Finland, only England and Scotland for import.

 

[Shootist43]

Sounds like you got two good guns at very reasonable prices. Lucky you!!

Re. prices being cheaper in Europe there probably is some justification for charging more in the U.S. that being the cost of the paperwork, licensing etc. and the number of middlemen involved in getting the guns here.

As previously mentioned, I think rookhawk can shed some light on this issue.

Sorry guys, looks like rookhawk beat me to the punch.

 

[Shootist43]

Rookhawk, hypothetically speaking, what would a good "ball-park" figure or percentage be to cover the handling costs to get a rifle from Europe brought into the U.S.?

 

[Bob2176]

Check out Griffin & Howe's website http://griffinhowe.com/import-export/

 

[Shootist43]

Bob2176, just went to the link included in your post. The process seems simple and straight forward. The cost breakdown appears to be complete and the associated costs very reasonable. Thanks for sharing this bit of information. Hopefully many AH members will take advantage of it.

 

[rookhawk]

I don't know much about EU import rules, but I'd say it wouldn't make sense unless the gun was very valuable.

Cost of gun
VAT of 20% or more
Storage fees for quite some time waiting for permits
Permit fees
Freight
Importer
BATF form 6 filings
Harmonized tariff schedule 4.5% or more
Freight to your FFL from customs broker
Transfer FFL fee

I buy guns in the U.K. Not because they are cheap, but because they happen to be found only in UK.

UK is cheaper than EU for import. Great rule of thumb: take the gun in pounds purchase price, multiply by two, that's the cost in dollars you spent when it arrived if made before 1899. Multiply times 2.25 if after 1899.

 

[Bob2176]

The only thing I can think to add, is that "antiques of an age exceeding 100 years" have a free rate of duty--so you can save a bit there. Maker's records or a memo on auction house letterhead, with a description of the item, serial number, and a date of manufacture, is what you need to establish age.

 

[rookhawk]

The only thing I can think to add, is that "antiques of an age exceeding 100 years" have a free rate of duty--so you can save a bit there. Maker's records or a memo on auction house letterhead, with a description of the item, serial number, and a date of manufacture, is what you need to establish age.

And firearms made before 1899 are not firearms either, they are "widgets", "decor", whatever you want. Best definition is "works of art" because as you said, no tariff and since not firearms, no BATF Form 6 or FFL transfer issues to deal with. Clear customs yourself...problem solved.

 

[Nyati]

Any goods exported from the EU are exempt from paying VAT.

 

[aleli]

I don't know much about EU import rules, but I'd say it wouldn't make sense unless the gun was very valuable.

Cost of gun
VAT of 20% or more
Storage fees for quite some time waiting for permits
Permit fees
Freight
Importer
BATF form 6 filings
Harmonized tariff schedule 4.5% or more
Freight to your FFL from customs broker
Transfer FFL fee

I buy guns in the U.K. Not because they are cheap, but because they happen to be found only in UK.

UK is cheaper than EU for import. Great rule of thumb: take the gun in pounds purchase price, multiply by two, that's the cost in dollars you spent when it arrived if made before 1899. Multiply times 2.25 if after 1899.

You write that "UK is cheaper than EU". Doesn't make sense to me since UK are very much IN the EU..

 

[CAustin]

Sounds like you got a couple of very nice rifles. Congrats.

 

[rookhawk]

Any goods exported from the EU are exempt from paying VAT.

Actually, no.

They charge 22.5% VAT and to USA. Upon receipt you may file for a refund of VAT but it is more cost and time than it's worth to get it back in many cases.

 

[rookhawk]

You write that "UK is cheaper than EU". Doesn't make sense to me since UK are very much IN the EU..

Well, UK is more gun friendly. Cartage and storage is cheaper. Shippers that can handle weapons are greater, and the shotgun permit (not rifle) is easier to obtain for export.

 

[sierraone]

OK guys, there is considerable contradictory information about costs when importing a rifle or gun. I am currently on a road trip through Texas, but will be at my son's home on Saturday. I will scan a copy of my importation costs for an English box lock shotgun which I purchased from William Evans in central London and imported through Griffin and Howe to my FFL in Florida. I will then post it to this thread. The costs are broken down point by point. Then you will know exactly what it cost to import a $3300 shotgun into the U. S. from London. It doesn't address Finland. It should help with mutual understanding of the money involved to import a gun from London through Griffin and Howe. I bought the gun on 27 October, 2016 and had it in hand in Florida on 5 or 6 December, 2016.