Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

[jonny lovegrove]

right so i went off down to the Post Office today, and was in there for 30 mins going through Parcelforces restricted item list with the lady behind the counter as apparently their T&C's have changed once again (last few weeks) and its all been changed again from the last set which allowed Rifs. anyone know anything solid? i had a quick glance at the PF website but didnt see anything (its sunny and i was looking on me phone)

[IamLukifer]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

I sent a RIF not 2 weeks ago and it was permitted just fine after the lady behind the counter checked the restricted items, if it has changed it was very quickly, they only allowed RIFs from around the second week of July if i remember.

[jonny lovegrove]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

this is also why i was wondering. i mean i got my vector yesterday via PF, but im just really confused now heh

[No1_sonuk]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

Just got this off Parcel Force's web site:

PROHIBITED GOODS
In the event of Parcelforce Worldwide returning an item to the sender due to contravention of customs regulations for Prohibited Goods, the charges will not be refunded and a return charge may apply.
Arms and Ammunition

All firearms including: imitations and antiques; paint-ball or toy guns; taser guns; air rifles, air pistols, components of firearms and all other items similar to, or resembling the foregoing are prohibited. All ammunition (including components thereof) and airgun pellets are also prohibited.

That would include airsoft guns.

The "Guns for sporting use" thing is Royal Mail:
From the RM Prohibitions list online:

Ammunition

Except lead pellets and other airgun and airsoft projectiles.

Weapons

Including Section 5 firearms, CS gas and pepper sprays, flick knives, tasers and stun guns. Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays.

Guns for sporting use - including Section 1, Section 2 firearms and low-powered airguns - are allowed subject to applicable export controls on the shipment of firearms. Please see www.royalmail.com/internationalrestrictedgoods

All that would indicate to me that they can be sent by Royal Mail, but not Parcel Force.

[crasstoe]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

Nothing solid either way. They now permit low powered air guns but do not allow replica firearms. You could argue an Airsoft gun is either/both be it RIF or IF. IMO, whoever has the best lawyer would win if it came to a court appearance should anything happen with a parcel or the contents of that they delivered.

We actually discussed this same issue in our podcast

[jonny lovegrove]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

great. so you can send them if theyre tiny, as royal mail seem to not go bigger than 'small parcel'

adn i thought PF was just a part of royal mail?

[crasstoe]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

great. so you can send them if theyre tiny, as royal mail seem to not go bigger than 'small parcel'

adn i thought PF was just a part of royal mail?

PF is but isn't... at least that is how they see it! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parcelforce

Use the PF name to screw you with Customs charges and hold your property, use RM name to have priority over post from abroad when importing.

[Mickydoos]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

Though owned by the Royal Mail Holdings PLC, Royal Mail Group Ltd, Parcelforce Ltd and the Post Office Ltd are separate companies and enforce their own rules.

Companies send stuff via PF all the time and they get away with it.

Surely if sent in two parts they become spare parts rather than a RIF?

[IamLukifer]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

When i sent mine i declared it as low powered air weapon when they asked, went through via PF 48hrs not a problem. I guess unless we're sending pistols and other small items via RM we're in no better situation when it comes to postage of full sized RIFs than before.. -sigh

[JackBauer8]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

I have sent 2 guns in the last 7 days, both were asked "what is it?" and I replied none of your business frankly and she accepted that and sent it off. Both arrived according to the buyers so they're sending still. I can't remember exactly what carrier took it but usually it's parcel force for larger items.

[crasstoe]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

Parts of replica firearms are prohibited but parts of low powered air guns are not... you could argue an airsoft gun, RIF or IF is both.

[Venomous]

Low Powered Air Weapons are carried by both Parcel Force and Royal Mail. Don't get bogged down with RIF / Airsoft gun or any such rubbish.

Stick to the above, and you should have no issues. Also helps to state no ammunition or propellant.

Again, don't get hung up with semantics - just be honest and provide what will be deemed an acceptable answer.

Gun goes off to destination - fully insured.

[jonny lovegrove]

Re: Do Parcelforce Still Carry (and Cover) Airsoft Guns?

thats what we went with in the end. as its a boltie (in this case) it is a low powered air rifle.

[crasstoe]

Replica firearms are prohibited, ultimately you could argue an airsoft gun is a replica firearm as well as a low powered air gun. I am simply playing devils advocate and showing how grey their rules are.
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