I've recently been bitten by the antique bug and found a couple of neat pistols for auction in SA by
Classic Arms (Pty) Ltd,
7 Gladiola Street,
Witbank.
Mpumalanga
South Africa
http://www.classicarms.co.za/
Has anyone done any firearm importation from SA to the USA in a while?
Anyone ever done business with these folks?
Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks for your help.
bob
Importing from...South Africa?
Moderators: pilkguns, m1963, David Levene, Spencer, Richard H
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Guest
If there is going to be a problem I think it will come from your side of the Atlantic rather than from South Africa. If my memory serves me correctly the USA imposed an arms boycott on SA back in the old apartheid days. I don't think that boycott has been officially lifted. I'd check that out first if I were you.
The firearms market in SA has been thrown into turmoil with the state police imposing draconian laws on firearm owners (much like has been done in the UK and Australia). The difference is that in SA no compensation is being offered, so firearms have essentially become worthless (no-one wants them). The prices on that website reflect this state of affairs. Most of those guns (old and new) are selling for considerably less than they would have been purchased for more than 20 years ago! In $$ terms they are being given away.
If you can succeed in purchasing some of them great, at least they will go to a good home. If not then many will end up in the state police's hands and either be sold on the black market or end their days under a power hammer, reduced to a shapeless lump of metal.
The firearms market in SA has been thrown into turmoil with the state police imposing draconian laws on firearm owners (much like has been done in the UK and Australia). The difference is that in SA no compensation is being offered, so firearms have essentially become worthless (no-one wants them). The prices on that website reflect this state of affairs. Most of those guns (old and new) are selling for considerably less than they would have been purchased for more than 20 years ago! In $$ terms they are being given away.
If you can succeed in purchasing some of them great, at least they will go to a good home. If not then many will end up in the state police's hands and either be sold on the black market or end their days under a power hammer, reduced to a shapeless lump of metal.
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Richard Newman
Antiques from SA
If these are true antique collectors arms, the rules on import are different than for importing "current" firearms. Check the BATFE website, and the NRA/ILA website for data. You might also try and contact an import agent, whose business is handling imported goods and getting them thru customs. Normally they do commercial work, but might take on your case. As to cost for an agent, I have no idea.
RN
RN