Importing a gun (12g) for My Father in Karnataka

[metroman]

Hi all,

I'm an Indian citizen currently residing in the United States. I want to gift an over-under shotgun (12-gauge) to my father, who lives in Karnataka and holds a valid DDBL (Double-Barrel) license. With upto 50 birdshot/buckshot/slug shells.

I’ve looked into the rules and am confident I can legally export the shotgun from the U.S. and ship it up to Indian customs. However, I have a few questions:

Can my father legally pick up the shotgun from Indian customs once it arrives, if it’s in his name and he has a valid arms license?

Does he need a specific import permit from the Karnataka licensing authority, or is the DDBL license enough?

Is it mandatory that I travel with the firearm under the Transfer of Residence (ToR) scheme, or can I just ship it via a licensed exporter and have my father receive it in India?

Any guidance from folks who have done this or know the legal procedures would be really appreciated.

PS: I dont have indian license,but I own serveral guns in US and have valid CCW licenses.

EDIT1:
Just to clarify: I know that if I bring the gun to India under Transfer of Residence (ToR), I cannot transfer it to my father (even though he has a valid DDBL license), because the Arms Rules prohibit any sale or transfer for 10 years after import.+ i dont have indian license so I cant even get it out of customs

So my real question is:
Can my father legally pick up the shotgun from customs if I bring it in ?
- If he visits and buys a gun in US , even he cannot bring it into India since ToR for him would require one year of ownership + 2 years of residence here in US

From what I’m reading (and what penpusher in previous posts confirmed), it looks like:

No, he can’t pick it up unless he’s the one importing it directly with a valid import permit in his own name.

There’s no legal workaround or loophole : even gifting isn't allowed during or after import unless you’re a licensed dealer.

And customs won’t release a firearm to anyone other than the importer, even if they have a valid arms license.

Just wanted to confirm if anyone knows of a legal method, precedent, or obscure clause that might allow it: or if it’s a hard no all across the board.

Appreciate any further inputs.

Thanks in advance!

[Lever Action]

Hi ,
Personal import of firearms is banned in India since 1980s, Only renowned shooters are allowed to import firearms ,You can bring a firearm on TR lest you have a valid arms licence in your personal name in India, Better to get it locally as now there are some companies importing good firearms.

Regards

[mundaire]

@Lever Action has covered the matter in a succinct and accurate answer.

Cheers!

[metroman]

@lever Action thank you