Importing shotgun from italy to usa

Question
My father is in italy and we want to bring a shotgun home to New York.We don't
know how to do it . Can he bring it back home on the plane?

Answer
Mark,

Bringing a firearm back to the US from a foreign country is a VERY complicated process.  First, you must understand that he CANNOT just bring it back with him on the plane.  It will go over badly with Customs.

The shotgun will need to be legally imported into the US. Any Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder can import a firearm for personal use or on behalf of an unlicensed person by filling out the proper paperwork. According to the ATF:

"May a licensed dealer who does not have an importer's license make an occasional importation?"

"Yes. A licensee may make an occasional importation of a firearm for a nonlicensee or for the licensee's personal use (not for resale). The licensee must first submit a ATF Form 6, Part I to the Imports Branch for approval. The licensee may then present the approved Form 6 and completed ATF Form 6A to the U.S. Customs Service. Contact the Bureau of ATF, Imports Branch, Washington, DC 20226, (202) 927-8320 for forms."

In essence, what this is saying is that the arrangements must be made with a licensed gun dealer where you live.  They will 'import' the gun from Italy by filling out the proper paperwork and submitting it to the ATF and Customs.  Then the shotgun will have to be shipped directly to the FFL from Italy.

I've got to tell you that this is a very complicated process, plus there may be some costs involved in addition to the shipping.  The FFL may charge you a fee for the trouble of going through all the paperwork and transferal of the firearm.

You can also find additional information on the following website:  http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/index.htm

Hope this helps...good luck!

Doug