Hi guys, recently I wanted to try out airsoft just for fun, and I live in the UK. I went to an Italian airsoft website to purchase the kar98k dboys airsoft rifle, because they had the cheapest price and have the rifle in stock. It was only after I purchased that I figured out you actually need a UKARA defence or some sort to have a single tone airsoft gun in the UK. When I was placing the order, the website did not require me to fill in anything related to defence. I tried contacting the website but there are no replies. Currently, I was just informed the package has already left Italy heading to the UK. Will there be trouble at the custom when they figure out its an airsoft gun without UKARA number on it, and will I be in any trouble? Quite nervous right now, as this was not intentional.
You have to understand that the onus is on the buyer to make sure that overseas Retailers are made aware of the need for a defense written on a package. They don't have to accommodate any UK airsoft defense on their website. But really you should have done your research before you ourchased and to say you were ignorant of it is not going to save you in the eyes of the law, the information is literally plastered everywhere on UK Airsoft retailer sites, forums and Facebook groups.
Before we left the EU there would be a good chance that it would have gotten through unscathed as Border Force only have the resources to stop pallets of shipments for random searches. Even if you had a UKARA number on the box, it would get seized (because the people doing the search on the ground are unlikely to know what a UKARA is and they wouldn't be able to check it's validity even if they did.) It would get reported and you get a destruction notice. You then need to contact them to ask them to check the UKARA number. Or prove that you're an Airsofter some other way (Regular skirmish receipts with your name and address on them etc). However UKARA is generally the only/easiest accepted defense in Border Forces eyes.
However since we have left the EU, you will likely get the parcel tagged for Import fees, which means there is another opportunity other then random searches we had pre-brexit for it to get caught.
At this point if it gets caught, it will get destroyed as you will be unable to prove any defense as you haven't played any airsoft let alone enough to be considered a regular. There is also a chance you can get fined and even potential time in custody (There is no precedent for it yet, but it's written into law as a possibility).
If I were you I would be pleading with the Airsoft shop to do anything they can to get the rifle recalled ASAP for your own sake.
Please think before you act next time, the more Airsoft rifles that get caught by people who import without a defense, the more it highlights Airsoft rifles as a problem in general, which could be used for nefarious purposes.
Good luck
