Buying Overseas Parts and Inert Ordnance Collectibles

[thirtyround]

Good Day to All,

 

Thought I would ping the group on a subject of concern. As we continue to add to our collections and parts bin, I know a lot of us have ordered through EBay and others, parts from overseas locations. I have done so my self with no issues. I'm assuming there hasn't been any issue's since someone would have posted an alert of sorts, so parts are good to go.

I know there are others here that collect Inert ordnance as i do. My questions to anyone that has insight.... what, if any is the concern of buying from an overseas location, Inert ordnance items such as Inert hand grenades?

Obviously none of us want to cross the line with any law that might negatively tangle up our lives.

There are routinely very nice and collectible items available from Russia and former USSR areas on EBay. I'm considering bidding on such items but wanted to seek advice here first. Thanks In advance for your valuable input.

 

[Black River Militaria CII]

Import into the US of deactivated ordnance is best achieved through the use of form 6/6a import application or by using a licensed importer. Various issues are: some carriers will not transport any ordnance regardless of deactivation, so you have to research who is going to do the actual shipping. Experienced importers will be savvy about this; deactivation regulations in the exporting country may not comply with those of the importing country; US State Department controls the import of any and all military items of every sort, and they may require participation depending on quantity and type; some countries will not allow export of certain military items, Russia being one of them.

There is no restriction that I am aware of generally speaking against the import of properly prepared and certified deactivated ordnance as they are regarded as collector's items and not specifically regulated, but the nature of these types of items can present legal problems not evident without research and possibly result in confiscation.

I would advise contacting a licensed importer and asking questions about the best approach for your purposes.

If you want to contact me at my e-mail address, I can suggest an importer who might be able to help.

[Junkhunter]

So what about purchase of spare parts for Thompsons, etc? I see lots of stuff for sale but my inner voice says that's a great way to get into trouble. Edited February 9, 2018 by Junkhunter

[Black River Militaria CII]

Import of small quantities of small arms parts that are not "controlled" such as receivers, non-sporting barrels, etc without form 6/6a import permits has not been interfered with by ATF. Lots of stuff comes in to the US by postal service with no problems. Prohibiting the import of such stuff is not is cost-effect from an enforcement perspective and can't really be enforced anyway. Nothing comes into the US from bonafide businesses overseas without permitting once those are the outfits that the authorities monitor. Private sales is probably close to 100% of the commerce. Canada knuckled down on their arms and parts retailers many years ago and made their lives miserable for a while and they will not export without permit. I don't see any firearms parts coming into the US from any Brit retailers without permitting but lots of militaria does. Eastern europe, Russia and former USSR satellite countries send a lot of firearms parts over here, but they all seem to be private sellers. Many Russian sellers ship gun parts out of Germany or Austria.

so, a few Tommygun parts here and there doesn't seem to matter, but boxes of such parts will require permitting.

So ar we have been very fortunate in this regard and hopefully someone will not screw it up!!

Edited February 10, 2018 by Black River Militaria CII

[thirtyround]

Thanks Gentlemen, good stuff