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Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:04 am
by Pesty
Dear all,

I am currently a probationary member at a rifle and pistol club for three months. After then I will be applying for my FAC.

My cousin lives in Arizona and is about to sell a sig 522 a rifle I'm thinking of getting hopefully if all goes well once I get everything sorted.

He has some magazines and said he will post them to me if. I want them or he will sell with the rifle.

Is it ok for me to posses these items before I get my licence? I've searched around but have not found anything specific about magazines.

Let me be clear, I own no firearms or ammunitions. I am only talking about empty magazines.

Thanks in advance


Ps I'm new here first post hello :)

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:18 am
by saddler
No license needed here, but the US ITAR laws make it illegal to export a magazine of over 10-rd capacity, from the US, without an expensive permit.
Some items CAN be exported. ...lots cannot.
Most of the best stuff is on the naughty list!

Welcome to the forum..

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:20 am
by Kungfugerbil
You can indeed own magazines without your ticket.

As to whether to ship them over from the US... I wouldn't bother. They are cheap enough to buy here that it's not really worth the ball-ache for him to package, post and pay for the shipping, even assuming he doesn't get a customs jobsworth at either end opening the package and deciding you are both terrorists :)

Tell him to sell them with his rifle and just buy them yourself as and when you get the Sig.

PS I have a 522 and it is excellent. You can find magazines from twenty quid or so depending on the capacity and manufacturer etc.

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:18 am
by DL.
If you were being sent some spare magazine parts under two packages - spare magazine springs & followers and then floor plates and magazine bodies, that would be a different matter! O:-)

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:48 am
by Blackstuff
DL. wrote:If you were being sent some spare magazine parts under two packages - spare magazine springs & followers and then floor plates and magazine bodies, that would be a different matter! O:-)
Is it though? I thought that 'magazine kit' get around was only for state-to-state shipping?

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:44 pm
by SevenSixTwo
Most sellers in the US won't even send rebuild kits overseas. I'd really like some Lancer mags but it looks like I'll be whistling for a while.

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 2:10 pm
by StangGT
Are you the same Pesty of PH fame?

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 5:06 pm
by Mattnall
AFAIK .22LR magazines are not subject to ITAR as they are not "articles specifically designed or otherwise intended for military end-use".

It may be controlled under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

But I doubt it. I think if the total wholesale value is less than $100 and it is not designed or intended for military use it may be exempt from the need for an export licence. To be sure your cousin should ask someone who would know (BIS at DoC, BATF or DDTC at the State Dept) as you cousin would be the one committing any crime.

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:22 pm
by Pesty
Thanks guys, big help.

Trust me he can afford shipping but I'll tell him to let them go unless he checks the laws over there. Glad to hear I can have them here and the sig is a good rifle.

Can't find 25 round ones for less than £35 over here so I didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I like to be prepared I'm excited to buy something of my own. I'm enjoying using club members rifles and pistols but I'm excited to get my own gear. It's a very friendly little club so I hope yo get something interesting and return the favour.

Yes I post drivel on ph

Re: Magazines do I need a FAC for them?

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 7:30 pm
by Christel
Pesty wrote:
Yes I post drivel on ph
;)

I like the drivel bit...what does ph mean?