HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP

You need to ensure that you can legally sell such a thing in Belgium.
Then you need to be sure you can legally export it. A call to Customs will help you there. Numbers are in the book as they say.
Not sure about the first bit.

The VCRA doesn't cover exporting from the UK, so clear there AFAIK.

There most certainly may be an issue with the carrier you choose.

Dunno about the Belgium end though!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_issues_in_airsoft

" Belgium
In Belgium, airsoft guns and pistols can only be bought at officially licensed dealers, carrying a government permit along with a certified weapon of defense (W.O.D.) to import and sell firearms. While it is forbidden to display or carry airsoft replicas in public, owing and renting them out is unrestricted. Sale of airsoft replicas to minors is forbidden, including sale over the internet (such as e-bay). Replicas should never exceed than 7.5 Joule measured 2.5 meters from the barrel tip.

In general, all events must take place in private locations. Organizations may host airsoft events under the condition that they are not affiliated with ideological or religious agendas. "

BOLD parts seem the crucial factors ........ however as there seem to be some ' if's and maybe's ' , even in that short statement (and I'm sure that it will be more complicated than that), personally I wouldn't want to risk the fall-out from a lack of understanding or something getting 'lost in the translation' however innocent a mistake it may be ..............

Joker the bolded internet sales - should be expanded to include the part about MINORS !! If buyer can prove they are over 18/21 etc it's not forbidden.

7.5 joules?!!?

That's 900 fps....

7.5 joules?!!?

That's 900 fps....

I spotted that - there'd be no doubts over taking hits, you'd be laid on the floor screaming and probably bleeding!

Joker the bolded internet sales - should be expanded to include the part about MINORS !! If buyer can prove they are over 18/21 etc it's not forbidden.

Yes, Del, you're right as far as that section goes ....................

The only direct reference for Belgium that I could find was that article from Wiki, and a number of others which seem to have been copied/pasted direct from it, and we know how reliable Wiki can be sometimes ............

However, there does seem to be reasonably strict laws with regard to selling within the country, and not just to minors, so it would make sense that if you can't sell within the country, you can't import to it easily ??

As HS says, the numbers don't seem to make sense either; hence the concern over 'translation'.

Possibly it was wrong to post the info at all (and if so, apologies) as it may not be that accurate, but it was all that I could find, and the indications are that there may well be issues with importing to that country - personally I'd rather err on the side of caution if there's even a hint that there could be issues with exporting weapons, be they de-act, RIFs, IF's or peashooters - I'd rather post a warning that was wrong than not mention something that could drop someone deeply in the mire ....................

I'd be happy enough for the concerns to be shown to be unfounded though .................

Would it be worth asking someone like FedEx? They should be up to speed on this sort of thing.

........ vaguely remembering a thread on Arnies, I checked on there (there's a good few members from Belgium on there) -

http://www.arniesairsoft.co.uk/forums/i ... hl=belgium importing&st=20

So from that, it seems that how they are sent is the issue, and the customs charges, not the actual deal itself ?? although as with a lot of things what's done and what is supposed to be done may be entirely different ...................

Extracts from the 2 pages of the Arnies thread -

"Replica's are not prohibited in Belgium, however, it is prohibited to send them by mail. Our law is not quite clear though about whether it's allowed or not to send replica's with carriers like UPS, FedEx, DHL,...
Except for the ridiculous custom fees, I haven't had any problems with receiving the few replica's I've ordered overseas."

" ..... I just happen to have ordered an item with Parcel Force before and kept a close eye on the shipping (I really wanted that Krylon). It's forbidden since items send to Belgium first go to the Netherlands, were replica's just happen to be illegal. Parcel Forces hands over the package to GLS and here is the moment that every goes wrong: GLS in the Netherlands can't ship these items nor can they transfer it to the Belgian depot for delivery.

There is a solution (explanation might be a bit confusing): ask the seller that he requests that the package goes by France (which is possible with Parcel Force). Also: Parcel Force ships the items to Europe and hands them over to GLS Europe, not the national post services. "

"Today, I received a package from the UK, with a big bright orange ParcelForce sticker on it: FORBIDDEN TO SHIP BY AIR, SEND BY SURFACE MAIL ONLY."

THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP

Im going to get in touch with parcel force and ask them, and in the mean time iv asked the potential buyer to do some homework at his end too so we might come to some kind of solution to this very confusing sale.

Too many loop holes to fall into so far

I didn't think that import tax applied to stuff within the EU - this is the main reason I dont like buying stuff from the US because what saving i might of made is gone once you add shipping and tax. Also the process of calculating and paying the tax is a massive pain in the arse.

Im fairly sure import duty wouldn't apply to Belgium, although maybe its just the uk that doesn't impose it and other eu countries do?.

Also, as a seller I don't think you need to worry about the selling laws in Belgium because your not IN Belgium, if theres an issue it will be with him buying it not you selling it, At the most you might be lumped with some kind of customs bill if they seize it or something.

Ive spoken to the potential buyer and he says as long as i send it by DHL or UPS there shoul,nt be a a problem as long as its marked up as historical item but not airsoft replica or anything of that nature, and not by air mail.

Ive spoken to the potential buyer and he says as long as i send it by DHL or UPS there shoul,nt be a a problem as long as its marked up as historical item but not airsoft replica or anything of that nature, and not by air mail.

Not wishing to poke one's nose in or cause undue alarm
BUT
The buyer obviously has a vested interest and I can see what he is asking you to do is misrepresentation at best and fraud at worst.
Ask yourself:
"Is it a historical item?"
and
"Who will be liable should some official decide to stick to the letter of the law?"

And I would, without prejudice contact Belgian Customs and obtain their advice first hand. And abide by it.

During the course of composing this answer to you I went to Google adn simply typed in "Belgian Customs"
The first link that came up delivered this
http://belgium.visahq.com/customs/
Fairly comprehensive I'd say especially this bit

Restricted Imports:

Products of animal origin:
Apart from some exceptions the Community rules do not allow the importation of meat, meat products, milk and milk products by travellers.

Animal or plants:
Travellers must be aware that certain wildlife animals or plants and parts thereof are protected by the Convention of Washington (CITES). The importation of these specimens is strongly restricted following the Community rules implementing the CITES-Convention.

Pets:
Pet owners have to respect the Community rules on movements of pet animals.

Prohibitions and restrictions in the following areas are covered by national legislation
-Drugs
-Medicines
-Weapons -Explosive Material
-Pornographic Materials
If you need more information, please contact the competent authorities of your country of destination.

I've highlighted the pertinent bits red and the more pertinent bit bright red!

Have you not already done this? If not why not?

Now my next google involved the following words
"belgium airsoft weapons legislation"
And the first four links confirmed for me that in Belgium they are treated as firearms and can only be bought from licensed dealers..... In one of the articles it says sale to minors is forbidden even over the internet....... This guy is not a minor I take it but you definitely need clarification for your own protection on this from an OFFICIAL source. Should you not do so and especially as you have asked so publicly for advice - I would not fancy your chances should it all come on top.

Good luck but stay safe..... and use some sense.

Thanks PD for your info i have got confirmation of his age so far received last week, just in the process of waiting if he still wants the rifle until i contact customs here in this country to find out if im breaking any laws here or in Belgium.

Its been a ongoing sale that i have gone round carefully so far im not jumping in feet first because i know it will come back to bite me.