Our Import Service Explained
If you are looking to import firearms or non-licensed items like antique guns and similar items from the UK to the USA, we offer a a consolidated service via airfreight with departures every 4-6 weeks direct from London Heathrow Airport to the East Coast in the USA.
Shipping your items via our consolidated service is a cost-effective way to get your new purchases or family heirlooms back to the USA. As we can handle everything from collection and packing in the UK and unpacking in the USA, we can minimize the risk of damage or loss during transport.
We offer collection from the seller and storage in the UK and delivery directly to you or your FFL Dealer in the USA.
We also offer a direct service if you need to receive your items faster, please ask us and we will be happy to give you some options.
If you are looking to import firearms or non-licensed items like antique guns and similar items from the EU to the USA, we can ship them directly to the USA or via our consolidated shipment.
Please contact us if you have further questions regarding this.
Importing a licensed firearm and Curio & Relic to the USA
To import firearms to the USA you need an approved import permit which we will apply for as part of the shipping. Once the items are in the USA, we will transfer and send the firearms to your local FFL dealer, who will transfer the item(s) to you.
Make sure you check if and what your local FFL dealer will charge you for the background check and transfer!
Local charges in the UK.
Shipping your 1st item costs 350.00 GBP, 2nd item costs 260.00 GBP and every following item costs 160.00 GBP per commercial invoice. If the gun is cased please allow an extra charge of 35.00 GBP per cased gun. (Heavy rifles or longer items may cost more – items over 50 inches).
This covers packing and transport from Chordline Limited to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in the UK.
Airfreight from LHR to Dulles International Airport (IAD), USA.
Export documentation and import permit.
Transport from seller in the UK to Chordline Limited is charged a local rate and will be quoted separately.
We collect regularly from Holts Auctioneers Ltd in Norfolk so transport from Holts to Chordline is included, unless we need to make a special trip when charges may apply.
Local charges in the USA.
Duty and customs filing fee (Merchandise Processing Fee at 0.4%) to be paid on required items to CBP at entry and will be determined by the items HS Code. Once the shipment has cleared customs, we can quote you the exact cost as part of your local charges.
If invoice value is over 2,500.00 USD there is a Customs Broker charge of 150.00 USD per commercial invoice over 2,500.00 USD.
Shipping from Virginia to your FFL in the USA is done via UPS. The domestic shipping price depends on destination, parcel dimensions and weight and will be quoted to you once the shipment has arrived in the USA and cleared customs.
Insurance during transport is optional but please let us know if you want us to insure your shipment, prior to departure.
Antique Pistols, Rifles and other related items - No license required to own in the USA.
Shipping your 1st item costs 260.00 GBP and every following item costs 160.00 GBP per commercial invoice. If the gun is cased please allow an extra charge of 35.00 GBP per cased gun. (Heavy rifles or items longer than 50 inches may cost more)
This covers packing and transport from Chordline Limited to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in the UK. Airfreight from LHR to Dulles International Airport (IAD), USA.
Transport from seller in the UK to Chordline Limited is charged a local rate and will be quoted separately.
We collect regularly from Holts Auctioneers Ltd, Norfolk UK so transport from Holts to Chordline is included.
If we need to make a special trip extra charges my may apply.
Local charges in the USA.
Duty and customs filing fee (Merchandise Processing Fee; 0.4%) to be paid on required items to BP on entry. This is determined by the items HS Code. Once the shipment has cleared customs, we can quote you the exact cost as part of your local charges.
For invoices valued over 2,500.00 USD there is a Customs Broker charge of 150.00 USD per commercial invoice over 2,500.00 USD.
Shipping from Virginia to your destination in the USA is done via UPS. The domestic shipping price depends on destination, parcel dimensions and weight and will be quoted to you once the shipment has arrived in the USA and has cleared customs.
Insurance during transport is optional, please let us know if you wish to insure your shipment prior to departure.
Please be aware that if an item requires an export license, we are required to apply for import permit in the USA, the item will be charged as a licensed item, not as a non-licensed item.
This can be the case for reproductions of some black powder and percussion revolvers as an example.
They may not require a license to own in the USA but if they require a license to own them in the UK we need an export license in order to export them.