Originally Posted by
paulawinch
My son (who is a member of the British Airsoft Association) wants to buy an airsoft gun in Lorrett.
What are the rules to bringing them back into the UK? We are only taking hand luggage.
Not a chance of it being accepted in the cabin, regardless of airline. Even if disassembled into constituent parts, no airline would accept this in the cabin.
The problem with it going in the cabin is BOTH of the following:
- I assume it looks like a credible (non-airsoft) firearm.
- It is an airsoft firearm.
So, with regard to the first, even if something was non-functioning, if it looks like a credible firearm, it would not be accepted in a cabin.
Even if something looks nothing like a credible or traditional firearm (i.e. even if it looks like a bright neon plastic toy, or a futuristic sci-fi item) if it IS in reality a functioning gun (including air powered and airsoft) it will not be accepted.
So it will not be going in the cabin!
That said, lots of professional sports persons do travel with firearms all the time, even in Europe. But there are very strict procedures, with advance notification to airlines, specialised bag handling, and special procedures with customs, etc.
If you do want to travel back with it by air, three aspects to think about
:
- Transportation by air. Find out the airlines policy on carrying firearms, some LCCs may refuse, most legacy carriers will have a well established policy to deal with it, if they have one - they will happily talk to you about it. It might attract dedicated charges, etc.
- Importation into the UK - legal position: Will the item have appropriate markings, supporting paperwork to support it being brought into the UK as a legally permitted airsoft item?
- Importation into the UK - import duty and import VAT: This might not be applicable, if you are buying in the EU VAT area.
Other options to consider. Could the item be couriered back to the UK. Some air weapons can only be purchased in person (not by mail order). If bought in person, you might be able to get someone to ship it back (although again, check with courier regulations on firearms etc).
For the legal questions, talk to HMRC and the association you reference (and other sporting firearms associations) may have info.
However, for carriage by the airline, talk to the airline. But it won't be going in the cabin.