Question: purchase of nylon gear from abroad & customs

[Blackfriar]

Hi there!

I wonder if anyone with some legal knowledge can help me out. I purchased a "12ga Micro Rig" and some shell holders from a custom nylon gear company in the states. Basically, it is a Cordura nylon shotgun shell holder vest thing. I do not yet own a shotgun, but I will be buying a gun cabinet and applying for a SGC in the New Year. I really want to get into Practical Shotgun as it looks like awesome fun!

So, anyway, I have basically ordered and paid for bits of nylon and velcro from the US and they have been held up at UK customs for nearly a month now. None of the goods are controlled and I certainly have not broken any laws by importing them. I've made a few attempts to contact Parcelforce about the delay and have been met with an answer of "Sorry, it's out of our hands!".

Yesterday, mid morning, two plain clothes gentlemen knocked on my flat door while I was at work. Girlfriend was in. They did not introduce themselves, nor did they show any identification. They had what looked like an A4 print-out, and it appeared to have bullet-points or small images on it. One of them asked for me by name, then asked for my mobile number (which she gave). The GF noticed they both had "cheap, tacky looking" dark nylon wallet-like things on their chest (no lanyards) with "POLICE" on the front in big bold letters. She said they looked like they had bought them from Ebay and it made her suspicious. They said thanks, bye and cleared off.

I have received no phone calls from "them" since. I called Police Scotland and the cops ran a check against my name and address and found nothing against my details, nor did they have any history of the visit. After waiting at home ALL DAY for a visit from uniformed police which never happened I was starting to feel pretty confused and pissed off. However, I received a call from a female this evening who said she can confirm "they" were indeed genuine police officers at the door and said they were from Police Scotland Border Patrol. It seems this branch of the police is engaged in counter-terrorism and fighting organised crime amongst other things. She said they would be in touch for a chat with me tomorrow. I really could do without a "chat" from counter-terrorist detectives on a rare day off, let alone have mysterious figures turning up at my doorstep again scaring the shite out of us!

Now, I have nothing to hide - but a) I do not want to waste another one of my precious days off talking to police about a nylon/velcro vest and b) the goods I ordered are not illegal to own, and I have paid for them so I believe I should receive them without further delay.

Simultaneously, I do not want to go about this the wrong way. If you were in my position, what would you say/do in order to get this cleared up ASAP. Cheers folks!

Here's a link to the thing we are talking about: https://www.originalsoegear.com/products/12ga-micro-rig

[Deeps]

I'm not sure this is the place to ask your questions but good luck , you might get somebody in the know.

[Plymtom]

Hello there, down in these parts FEOs wear uniform and make appointments frankly I'd rather they didn't it makes the curtains twitch but then again if the plonkers see police coming and going being greeted in a welcoming manner and parting similarly they probably aren't going to think you are a problem ( trouble is if they assume you think they are and you are complaining about them ), I'd be a bit nervous about this if I were you, secondly for Practical shotgun in the UK you're going to have to join a club, go through the probationary process, then get yourself an FAC, you cannot just get a safe, get an SGC and go and do practical, clays yes, but a magazine greater than 2 requires section 1, search for a club near you, join and have a ball

If you are being looked at by plod is it entirely possible in this day and age that a purchase of firearms related items without having a licence at the address has flagged something under Mrs May's new snooping thingy?

Recap, join club do probationary period, get safe(s) separate one for ammo, apply for licence, get firearms, I guarantee you will not just be after a shotgun if you join a club. We did, not for the Zombie apocalypse but for good clean family fun, it's only natural to be interested in prepping and sidetrack into shooting sports and doesn't make you any safer if TSHTF if anything it makes you more a target but you are joining a community of generally friendly folk.
UK prepping is more about not running out of bog roll and other things which catch you pants down when sh1t happens, target/practical shooting is almost entirely about having fun and a social life and friendly competition of course

[poppypiesdad]

It is, in no way , anything that is restricted . Be honest . Tell them the truth and you have done nothing to get you into trouble. I've imported much more restrictive items an was waiting the chap on the door with the big red key. As you say it's nylon pouch with shell holders. I've imported from the states eotec 552 sight, ballistic plates, us army name tapes , gen two nvg's . It's someone in customs panicking, or parcelfarce.

[Plymtom]

It's someone in customs panicking, or parcelfarce.

Yeah probably more likely that than the snoopers charter kicking in come to think of it.

[Blackfriar]

Thanks very much for the advice.

The additional tips for PSG/licencing are also very welcome and will come in handy when I start applying in the new year. I had assumed getting a SGC and showing safe practice/competence with ownership of a 2+1 for 6 months or so would be a good pathway for applying for a sec 1. I'm glad you mentioned that, as I could have wasted a lot of money/time by going down that route. Can't wait to start!

Thanks again.

[sethorly]

Welcome them in and help them as much as possible. Apologise for taking up their time at the end (not that you need to apologise, but it's polite). It's a good thing they've picked up on your purchase and are checking you out. That's the world we have to live in today. No disrespect to anyone who doesn't share my view by the way.

[poppypiesdad]

Shotgun and section 1 totally different as you probably know. Shotgun usually will be granted unless there is a very very very good reason why you won't .
Section 1 you really really really need a good reason to be granted one holding a shot gun license will make no difference.
Just a quick one . Your in Scotland ? Have you a air rifle . Have you applied for your licence yet . Time is running out . Very quickly

[womble]

If you are being looked at by plod is it entirely possible in this day and age that a purchase of firearms related items without having a licence at the address has flagged something under Mrs May's new snooping thingy?

Unlikely. That's not how it works. Given that it's Border Agency, erm, agents, doing the inquiry, you can be pretty sure it's down to Border Agency folks seeing the actual goods, and there being some SOP for checking whether there's a licence at that address when firearms accessories are purchased. While the Snoopers' Charter is a frellin' nightmare, it isn't likely to generate results from simple online shopping.

You're probably going to have to pay about double again in customs fees, though. Getting stuff from the US is real expensive, that way.

[Plymtom]

If you are being looked at by plod is it entirely possible in this day and age that a purchase of firearms related items without having a licence at the address has flagged something under Mrs May's new snooping thingy?

Unlikely. That's not how it works. Given that it's Border Agency, erm, agents, doing the inquiry, you can be pretty sure it's down to Border Agency folks seeing the actual goods, and there being some SOP for checking whether there's a licence at that address when firearms accessories are purchased. While the Snoopers' Charter is a frellin' nightmare, it isn't likely to generate results from simple online shopping.

You're probably going to have to pay about double again in customs fees, though. Getting stuff from the US is real expensive, that way.

Yes I conceded that I was probably barking up the wrong tree once the border agency thing became apparent and customs fees yes tell me about it, though the more of us there are, the more importers stock, there are some shops from across the pond with branches here now like Brownells, as time goes by you get better at sourcing things too. Spare parts can be a nightmare though.