Taking empty firearm brass into the UK?
 

So my nephew is visiting from the UK. I took him out shooting, and he had the time of his life. So he wants to take some empty .30-06 brass home to show off to his friends. I can't imagine why it woud be a problem, but will he get into trouble for bring empty brass into the UK?

I would think it prudent to phone the Dept. of Transport in the US or whatever dept looks after carriage of goods on aircraft. I would be very surprised if they allowed anything like that on board even if it was put in the luggage, even if it is spent shells. However there is no harm in asking.

I was carrying golf tees in my carry on bag once. If I remember right they were confiscated. There is no point in getting the officials upset. Check with the airport he is leaving from.

It shouldn't be a problem. After all it's just empty brass not compleated ammo. As long as it's not 500 rounds or so. Put it in a plastic bag so the sniffers can't smell it.

Yikes that would be exporting ammunition components without a licence.

If you drill a small hole in the side or bore out the primer, so that a new one cannot be installed and the shell can never be used again, you can take them out of the country without a problem or so says this:

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/image/3/b/...9/usregs-0.jpg

Borrowed from this forum thread:
http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?66393-Shipping-to-Canada&p=550451#post550451

Drill a couple of holes in them to where they can be threaded on a key chain... I know several guys with 30.06 key chains, pretty cool...

You may have some trouble importing them into the UK. Info you seek is here;

HM Revenue & Customs

That PDF seems to only deal with firearms, not spent shells.

I think if you follow the US guidelines, he should be fine. Once it has a hole drilled in it or any of the other ways applied, that shell will never be able to be fired again and suitable only for wall art (or keychains).

They would likely come under the same conditions of 'deactivated firearms', section 6.14

I'd be speaking directly to UK customs.

Tis safer to ask, I do agree about that. :) I don't think it is the same as a deactivated firearm. But, as far as the US is concerned, you're good to go if it's been rendered useless.

Can he mail them home?

I'm not sure there is a problem leaving the USA, but I agree with Outback: the bigger problems maybe the UK customs.

I would check both. Mail might be the better option.

Don't know bout UK, but do not assume that empty brass is free in all countries.
It sure as hell is not in Belgium or in Holland as it is considered a component that can be reloaded.

Technically, if i am in possession of an empty shell of a caliber i do not have a permit for, i am in violation.. Obviously that's a far stretch that i can answer with ,well i pick up my own brass, this .40 SW must have gotten in there while i picked up my own .45ACP, honest mistake.

But people without a permit, are not allowed to have any usable brass according to the law.. I doubt anybody will be put in jail over it, but technically it's not allowed.

So do not assume it is, just because it would be ok in the US.
When in doubt, drill a hole through the brass, making it unusable..