Emma_Par

Wondering if anyone can shed some light....
we have a couple of legal registered firearms in the uk and we are looking to move to Australia, does anyone know what procedures we would need to take to bring these to Australia and whether we would have to do it before we left or when we get there, also how to transport them??
Thanks for any help

Pollyana

Which State are you thinking of moving to ? - rules can differ greatly across the country

Emma_Par

Perth

newjersey

Start here: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4372.asp
then contact your airline regarding their regulations for transport, they'd tell you more.

Emma_Par

fank you

Steve_

Gun laws are made at the State level in Australia, supposedly, but in reality the custom laws of Australia on firearms have been made fantastically complex because the police power resides with the States.

Western Australia requires basically a separate licence for each gun.

Bear in mind that semi-auto long guns are very tightly controlled (e.g. .22 semi-automatic rifles, semi-automatic shotguns, which a lot of people in the UK have) as well as pump-action shotguns. Generally only people whose occupation is large-scale pest control can have them, although I think some States allow semi-auto shotguns for target shooters who are a member of a club.

Unless you've got something rare or unusual, my advice would be to sell them in the UK where you'll probably get more money and then get replacements in Australia. You may end up ahead and you will save yourself a big headache with customs and the police. When you arrive, complete the licensing requirements and then get new ones.

http://www.police.wa.gov.au/Ourservi...1/Default.aspx

Emma_Par

Thanks Steve, OH thought he would probably be better off to sell his .22 riffle however he has a perazzi 12 bore shot gun which he has shot in the British open twice with, he doesn't want to sell. How would we stand with just that gun. I have sought out clubs where he would be able to become a member of once we are over there.

Tingle

My advise would be to just put it in your hand luggage and pretend they were hockey sticks or something.....but please don't listen to me, i'm a complete idiot. I got caught twice trying to do that.

MUST LEAVE UK

From what I've heard on these boards, you need to be well armed to survive in Perth..

Toddzilla

First off good luck!!!!

The only option will be to gain permission from customs import it pay charges to store for 4-5 months in this time you will need to join a relevant firearms club or buy land

Then if club wait probation time then buy safe then apply and start firearms licensing procedures

The basis of firearms in Australia is you must have a guinene reason, not just like owning guns

Hope this helps

Emma_Par

Thanks, we are probably looking at selling his air riffle and firearms but to try to take his shotgun. I have sent emails to customs and the police but both really vague. I might get my friend to look after them (officially of course) and then when all settle with licence over there arrange for my friend to come over with it. I'm gonna see if that is an easier way of doing it .... Got a bit of time to sort it out so that's good. Thanks for the advice

pogsy

Hi there, we moved over 5 years ago and I looked at bringing my two shotguns over but decided to sell them as when I weighed up the costs involved in doing so it made more sense to buy a new one here. The major costs involved were finding shippers to do it, 5 years ago there was only one company in the UK and they were really expensive, then like an earlier poster said you need to find someone who will go and collect from customs and store them until such time you can apply to the Police and get your own license then you can collect from the dealer who has been storing them for you. Hope this helps and good luck with your move.

Emma_Par

Thanks for that, do you remember what the company you went to was called? I know if you take a gun to Europe you can put it in a secure case and check it in when you fly like your suitcases, I'm now guessing from your comment that you can't do that? My plan was to get my friend a shotgun licence n get them to keep them for us till such time that we apply a get accepted for a licence in WA and then get my friend to bring it over with him... Do you not think this would work?

pogsy

Sorry can not remember which company it was but I found out through our shipping agent (John Masons) they put me onto them. I guess that as long as your freind has the relevant license it should be OK. I would just check with customs their requirement re: who can pick it up and all the relavant import documents as they would be deemed to be the importer.

Toddzilla

If you get stuck pm me I may be able. To help