A LEGAL OBLIGATION WITH STRICT DEADLINES
Importers of firearms into the UK must notify the London or Birmingham proof house within seven days of a shipment arriving. Once in the country, all imported firearms intended for sale must be submitted for proof within 28 days, unless an exemption applies. The only exemption covers firearms brought in by individuals for personal use, while the firearm remains in their possession and is not transferred or sold.
“If a dealer is importing a batch of 20 rifles, even if they are the same model, they still need to inform us and provide the quantity and serial numbers,” said Miles. “Even if there’s a valid reason why they can’t get them to us within 28 days, we’re generally understanding, provided they’re transparent and communicate clearly.”
Each imported firearm must be proof tested individually, there are no sampling allowances for batches. The only exception is when the firearm has already been proofed in a member country of the CIP (Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms), an international group of which the UK is a member.
“Firearms bearing an official CIP proof mark can be imported and sold without being reproofed in the UK,” Miles explained. “For instance, a Beretta shotgun from Italy already proofed in Gardone Val Trompia will be accepted.”
At present, 16 countries are part of the CIP, most of them in Europe. Firearms from countries outside the CIP network, including the United States and Turkey, must undergo UK proof before they can be sold, regardless of any factory tests they may have passed abroad.
PROOFING WITHOUT BORDERS, BUT NOT WITHOUT SCRUTINY
Although firearms from outside the CIP must be submitted for UK proof, the standardised test is the same for all guns, whether imported, UK-made or undergoing reproof.
“We apply exactly the same checks and test pressures,” said Miles. “The process is uniform across all guns that come through the London Proof House.”
However, some countries present more challenges than others. While Miles refrained from naming specific manufacturers, he confirmed that firearms from non-CIP countries are more likely to fail proof, particularly when they originate from firms unfamiliar with UK standards.
“Any issues are dealt with at our end,” he said. “Only guns that pass proof make it onto the UK market, so end users aren’t affected. But it does mean more work for importers if their shipments don’t meet requirements the first time.”
HOW THE UK COMPARES
UK proof standards are closely aligned with those used across the CIP network. Member countries follow the same technical rules, tolerances and proof pressures, which ensures a high degree of interoperability.
“In terms of technical requirements, there’s almost no difference between UK proof and proof from other CIP countries,” Miles said. “We’re all working to the same standards.”
The situation is markedly different for American-made firearms. The United States does not have a centralised proofing authority and relies instead on voluntary compliance with industry standards, such as those developed by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI). As a result, UK importers bringing in US-made guns must account for this gap by sending firearms for UK proof regardless of any factory assurance.
MPACT OF TRADE CHANGES AND GLOBAL EVENTS
When asked about the effect of global shifts, such as Brexit, international regulations or geopolitical instability, Miles confirmed that changes in global trade do influence what comes through the doors.
“Yes, we’ve definitely seen fluctuations linked to global events,” he said. “These can be either positive or negative, depending on your perspective. Civilian trade may drop off, but military-related activity can increase.”
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He added that UK-based manufacturers, which also use the Proof House, have fared comparatively well due to their ability to pivot between export markets. For UK retailers and importers, however, the challenges are more localised.
“If you’re importing firearms for sale in the UK, you’re going to be more directly affected by the UK economy, political decisions, and licensing environment,” Miles noted. “During COVID and Brexit, there were certainly logistical disruptions.”
HELPING IMPORTERS AVOID COSTLY REWORK
To prevent unnecessary delays or failures, the Proof House works directly with UK importers and even liaises with overseas manufacturers to ensure incoming firearms are built to pass UK proof.
“We sell chamber gauges and advise manufacturers on our dimensional tolerances,” said Miles. “This allows them to carry out pre-shipment checks to make sure the guns they’re sending will pass once they arrive.”
This approach is particularly useful when dealing with first-time exporters to the UK.
“Most failures occur with firearms from companies that simply aren’t familiar with UK proof standards,” he explained. “That’s why we always encourage communication. Retailers and importers can contact us directly and we’ll help facilitate those technical conversations with the factory abroad.”
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
Ultimately, Miles stressed the importance of working in partnership with the trade to ensure smooth, legal importation of firearms into the UK. With a clear understanding of the requirements and a proactive approach to communication, importers can significantly reduce the risk of problems arising during the proofing process.
“All we ask is that dealers keep us informed,” he said. “If there’s a delay, let us know. If you’re unsure about tolerances or documentation, just ask. We’re here to help make the process efficient and compliant.”