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Importing flintlock from South Africa

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 12:32 pm
by Pinguino
Hi All,

A question from a colleague at work. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated.

Hi F,

I inherited a Tower Flintlock musket from my grandad in South Africa and I want to import it to the UK. It’s been in the family since 1838, and doesn’t have any paperwork attached to it.
It saw service in the Battle of Blood River in 1838 and was the weapon used by Dirkie Uys, one of the heroes of the battle. It hasn't been fired in about 100 years and firing it might damage it. It will definitely be for display purposes only.
I emailed the home office firearms people who referred me to someone at the international trade department but they are no proving too helpful.
Do you know of anyone who has gone through a similar process or could point me in the direction of someone who could give me advice?

Thanks

Re: Importing flintlock from South Africa

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 12:39 pm
by ovenpaa
Give Tracey at PBS a shout, they are more into exports however she should be able to set you straight and even arrange to have it shipped in for you, she is also red hot on import/export regs :)

https://www.pbs-int.co.uk/

+44(0)1293551140

Re: Importing flintlock from South Africa

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 1:03 pm
by Pinguino
Thank you very much for the quick response Ovenpaa

Re: Importing flintlock from South Africa

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 4:53 pm
by saddler
Antique = not an issue, esp. as it's a front stuffer.

I know of folk that buy cap & ball revolvers from US auction sites & they are posted direct to the buyer.

Re: Importing flintlock from South Africa

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2017 7:26 pm
by Sim G
saddler wrote:Antique = not an issue, esp. as it's a front stuffer.

I know of folk that buy cap & ball revolvers from US auction sites & they are posted direct to the buyer.

Exactly. A friend regularly buys antique muzzle loaders from the US, they just stick it in the post to him. Usually bounces around the Coventry Hub for a few weeks, but it gets to him. 5% import duty from memory on antiques, I seem to recall...