Importing a Free Pistol into the USA
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 9:10 am
I was looking for a Walther Free Pistol with dead electronics board. I found one in Germany. This is my story about getting it imported to the USA
At the beginning of March I discovered the free pistol at Allermann (Allermann.de) in Germany for a very low price. After several emails with their English speaking representative, I decided to buy it. My cost was $179 plus $62 for shipping.
The first problem was payment. They wanted a bank funds transfer, common in Europe but little used by individuals here. I had a friend from Germany who had a bank account there. I have him $241 and he set down at his computer and made the funds transfer.
Now the paperwork started. To import the pistol an ATF form 6 had to be completed. Since the transfer involved customs I decided to look for an import agent who also had an FFL. I couldn’t find one in Oregon, but Dennis Schrieber, at Burt Mill Smithing, in Churchville New York offered his services. (http://burntmillengineering.com)
By March 31, the gun was paid for and the ATF Form 6 was in the works. There was no charge for the ATF to process the form. ATF had 60 days to complete a decision on the application.
On May 13, the ATF gave approval. Dennis faxed the form to Allermann who had to get an export license from German police.
On May 26, German approval was received and the gun was shipped to the US.
Dennis said customs can take up to 60 days. But he received it on July 7.
Now the gun had to go to engraving. Any firearm imported to the USA must be engraved with the importer’s name. Trophy engravers are generally not equipped to engrave steel so it had to be sent to a specialty shop.
Dennis sent me his invoice on June 30. I paid him by VISA. He charged $100 for import and FFL services. Engraving cost $76. Shipping to my FFL was $35. He shipped to my FFL on August 2nd.
My FFL received the gun on August 5th, and I paid $35 for background check.
My cost was $487 and a wait of five months. It all went smoothly, but patience was necessary.
The gun is serial number 1202, which is an early model with the early electronics board. The pistol is pristine condition, with two exceptions: The electronics board is bad and a previous owner turned the trigger adjustment screw so as to damage the mechanism.
Used European-built firearms seem less expensive there than in the USA. The cost to get one to the USA is about $300. So, if the cost in Europe is more than $300 less than the cost here, it might be worth the trouble.
The same should hold true for airguns. Airguns should be less expensive to import because no ATF From 6 is required. But, I don't know how an individual deals with customs.
At the beginning of March I discovered the free pistol at Allermann (Allermann.de) in Germany for a very low price. After several emails with their English speaking representative, I decided to buy it. My cost was $179 plus $62 for shipping.
The first problem was payment. They wanted a bank funds transfer, common in Europe but little used by individuals here. I had a friend from Germany who had a bank account there. I have him $241 and he set down at his computer and made the funds transfer.
Now the paperwork started. To import the pistol an ATF form 6 had to be completed. Since the transfer involved customs I decided to look for an import agent who also had an FFL. I couldn’t find one in Oregon, but Dennis Schrieber, at Burt Mill Smithing, in Churchville New York offered his services. (http://burntmillengineering.com)
By March 31, the gun was paid for and the ATF Form 6 was in the works. There was no charge for the ATF to process the form. ATF had 60 days to complete a decision on the application.
On May 13, the ATF gave approval. Dennis faxed the form to Allermann who had to get an export license from German police.
On May 26, German approval was received and the gun was shipped to the US.
Dennis said customs can take up to 60 days. But he received it on July 7.
Now the gun had to go to engraving. Any firearm imported to the USA must be engraved with the importer’s name. Trophy engravers are generally not equipped to engrave steel so it had to be sent to a specialty shop.
Dennis sent me his invoice on June 30. I paid him by VISA. He charged $100 for import and FFL services. Engraving cost $76. Shipping to my FFL was $35. He shipped to my FFL on August 2nd.
My FFL received the gun on August 5th, and I paid $35 for background check.
My cost was $487 and a wait of five months. It all went smoothly, but patience was necessary.
The gun is serial number 1202, which is an early model with the early electronics board. The pistol is pristine condition, with two exceptions: The electronics board is bad and a previous owner turned the trigger adjustment screw so as to damage the mechanism.
Used European-built firearms seem less expensive there than in the USA. The cost to get one to the USA is about $300. So, if the cost in Europe is more than $300 less than the cost here, it might be worth the trouble.
The same should hold true for airguns. Airguns should be less expensive to import because no ATF From 6 is required. But, I don't know how an individual deals with customs.