Importing replicas in France

Importing complete replica firearms, or replica fiream's part(s), in France is fully allowed, the only condition is the customer's proof of the minimum age of 18.
 
 
Some precaution :
It's more careful to strip the replica (field stripping is good enough), it enhance the harmlessness aspect of the replica, and you'll save space.
 
A brilliant idea, given by smootik (which i congratulate for his real virtuosity in foreign languages):
Print a short text in you language, that explains what's a replica, in witch material it's made, and especially that it's not considered as a weapon in term of french weapons regulation.
And of course the same text in english, and at last, in french (guys, you'll have a rough time).
Place this text in your parcel.
 
 
ENGLISH
 
 
 
This package contains (number of replicas) dummy model(s) of (model) manufactured by (manufacturer if known).
Such models are used by reenactors and toy collectors, they are just like Denix models.
 
Based on requirements of french weapons regulation, they are not firearms.
 
They are TOY MODEL made to comply with strict Japanese law,
making it incapable of being used to fire any bullets, or be converted.
Models are made mainly of soft metal (zinc aluminum),or ABS,unable to withstand pressure of live ammo, or blanks.
Model does not contain any elements of a real firearm.
 
Model is constructed in such a way that it cannot launch any projectiles.
As required by Japanese law this toy has been designed so that modifications are prevented by construction:
- dimensions of parts have been changed to prevent using parts from real weapon.
- all metal parts are made of soft metal (zinc alloy) or ABS, not capable to withstand pressure of ammo.
- barrel is blocked, there is also a steel insert to prevent drilling.
- recoil spring is weak, only for demonstration.
 
In case of import questions, please contact me for further information.
(Customer's name, and phone number)
 
 
 
FRENCH
 
Ce colis contient (number of replicas) réplique(s) de (model) fabriqué(s) par (manufacturer if known).
Ces répliques sont utilisées par les collectionneurs, elles sont comme les répliques Denix.
Au regard des lois françaises, elles ne sont pas considérées comme des armes à feu.
Ces jouets, sont fabriqués strictement en accord avec la réglementation japonaise (pays de fabrication). Ils sont incapables de tirer un projectile, et il est impossible de les rendre apte au tir.
Ces répliques sont faites en métal mou (alliages de zinc et d'aluminium, zamak, alpax), ou en plastique ABS, et ne peuvent supporter les pressions de cartouches à balles ou à blanc.
Elles ne contiennent aucun élément d'arme à feu réelle.
Une réplique est conçue de telle manière qu'elle ne puisse tirer aucun projectile .
Comme l'exige la réglementation japonaise, ce jouet a été concu pour prévenir toute altération délictueuse :
-Les dimentions des pièces sont différentes pour empêcher l'utilisation de pièces d'armes à feu réelles.
-Toutes les parties métalliques sont faites en métal mou (alliages de einc et d'aluminium, zamak, alpax), et ne sont pas capables de supporter les pressions de munitions réelles ou à blanc.
- Le canon est bouché, et il y a aussi une tige d'acier à l'intérieur pour prévenir le forage.
- Les ressorts principaux sont beaucoup plus faibles que les originaux.
 
En cas de question au sujet de l'importation en France, contactez moi s'il vous plaît. (Customer's name, and phone number)

One tiny addition / extra useful info.

Regardless of the true meaning of the words customs and air transport companies are "taught" that a replica firearm is probably a real firearm.
For example a live firing uberti Colt Walker is a replica of a real colt Walker, BOTH ARE LIVE.

Now they are also taught that a "imitation" firearm is likely to be a non firing model, for example a non firing denix is an imitation of the real firearm.

They will still often check, but "replica" is a trigger word.

LOGIC does not apply:roll:

HI,

Honestly, I wonder if it's really useful, I really don't know...

Hi Mono
Well it may have stopped the M84 you sent me getting held for 5 months in customs and the French post service telling you it was destroyed when it had not been
Every little detail helps!

A few quotes from UK customs letter:

"Firstly I'd like to reiterate the significant difference in how we see replica and imitation firearms. Replicas are copies of real weapons that are capable of firing. Imitations are mock-ups and normally made from wood or plastic."

"A suitable description for your goods might be, 'Imitation firearms, not capable of firing and containing no components specially designed for real firearms', but you will need to ensure the description you use correctly and fully reflects the items you export. You should also provide supporting documents as available that clearly describe the items"

NOTE the "supporting documents" phrase...
Many people on this forum have lost their models so every detail helps I think.

You maybe right Johnny

Ok, ok forget it!
You're right some words can be understood in a wrong way.

Dronne
You letter is great, thank you !!! 
just one tiny word for perfection.