transporting reloading powder from US to Canada

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Brook

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I have a suspicion this question has been asked before, but when I tried researching this issue via Gunnutz (and Google), I can’t quite find anything that is exactly on the mark and that is newer than several years old.

My question regards buying reloading powder (for shotguns in my case) across the border in the States, then bringing it back to Canada.

I have a fresh newly approved ATF Form 6nia for my personal gun and ammunition, and I know from research that I can bring 8 kilos of powder back into Canada. I live close enough to the border (and am desperate enough), that I was considering doing so. However, I was today told by two reloaders at a local southwestern Ontario club that there is a law (they termed it as ‘new’) that means that actually transporting the powder while in the States will break a law. Thus, if I get it to the Canadian border, the Canadian border guys won’t give a darn, but if by some bad stroke of luck I get stopped and searched while in the States, I’ll get charged by the yanks. This seems very odd. (Per my Form 6nia, I can have thousands of shells, but I can’t have powder?) Allegedly, I can’t even have powder shipped to a border US city and then drive it across the border myself – the trip from the shop to the border is instantly a crime. (The local guys giving me advice say that their approach is to go buy it anyway and just not sweat the small chance of being searched, but I'm not interested in doing so if it truly is illegal.)

Googling around, I get US web pages that note how many pounds Americans can transport (and it’s well within my 16 pound goal), but my local reloading guys seem to be saying that’s for Americans – that there’s a different law for us sinister foreigners, which requires us to get an additional set of ‘explosives’ paperwork above and beyond the Form 6nia.

Anyone know what the truth is? Is there a definitive web page somewhere?
 
The USA regulations require an export permit in order to export reloading components, including powder, primers, brass or bullets out of the USA. Homeland Security checks for these items at the check stops that they set up on the USA side of the border. If you are caught trying to export these goods, the goods will be seized, and you may be prohibited from entering the USA.
 
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yeah, it's not the border guys it's homeland security. they will sometimes setup stops on the approach to the border, get busted with any export restricted items and your day just got real bad, real fast.
 
In fact there is coverage under the "patriot act" that will make your day go VERY bad indeed. Only with an export license, can you move it to Canada without the wrath of HS et al.
 
The guideline I've used with my 6NIA is "bring back what you brought in (or less)." If you brought a case of ammo down, you can bring a case of ammo back. I can't imagine bringing a bottle of powder down, but maybe you're going to hand load while there - then your consumables can come back with you. (whatever you listed as bringing to the US on the form, can come back)
 
boombag13 said:
what if the OP is a dual citizen? would he still need permits?
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Never made any difference for me years ago might be different today but I would not even attempt it since all the BS came into place. The hassel I got from the last batch of old shotgun hulls some years ago was enough
I have found many at the borders don't know the rules even if it was OK and maybe it is with proper paperwork but I would be suprised I could just take it across
I really don't know and will keep buying all of my powder in canada regardless
 
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It looks like the answer is clear cut -- buying powder in the States just isn't going to happen for me. Thanks for all the wisdom, guys!

And it also shows how sportsmen can get in trouble despite no criminal intent. I only heard of this law in a casual conversation in a range clubhouse, or I would have assumed it was all fine because of my ATF Form 6nia and because of a Canadian government website that said I was allowed to bring back 8 kilos of powder. Dodged a bullet, so to speak.
 
what if the OP is a dual citizen? would he still need permits?
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There is a little known option for a US citizen, They can apply for a 'one off' export license to Canada (which involves proving the goods can be imported into Canada without an import permit). I have never tried it or heard of results (ie, I don't know how long it takes) - but it is an option.
 
sulisa said:
The guideline I've used with my 6NIA is "bring back what you brought in (or less)." If you brought a case of ammo down, you can bring a case of ammo back. I can't imagine bringing a bottle of powder down, but maybe you're going to hand load while there - then your consumables can come back with you. (whatever you listed as bringing to the US on the form, can come back)
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You are totally wrong. Just because your items are listed on your permit does not make it legal to bring the said items back into Canada. The permit is for temporary importation to the US. Not for the purchase of the items on your permit to bring back to Canada. What you buy in the US and do not use has to be exported to Canada or left in the US.

If you are doing otherwise I would not be posting on the WWW.
 
So what happens if the US side didn't have checks and you got through? Would the Canadian customs give you any hassle or would they just let you through with it?

Not planning on doing it, just curious..
 
Canada would tell you that you made a boo boo. But, if you brought in what they allow you to bring in, you would be fine. Canada doesn't have the issues, it's the US. We are their lifelong good friend and neighbor, but they sure don't treat us like it at times !Hell, I asked A high up person about bringing back ammo and was told I could bring back 5000 rounds when I cross over, But the US allows you zero, go figure !

Matty308 said:
So what happens if the US side didn't have checks and you got through? Would the Canadian customs give you any hassle or would they just let you through with it?

Not planning on doing it, just curious..
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Matty308 said:
So what happens if the US side didn't have checks and you got through? Would the Canadian customs give you any hassle or would they just let you through with it?

Not planning on doing it, just curious..
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Canada Customs would more than likely not say anything, BUT
you have to remember we are allies who share the longest un protected border. Yes Canada has its laws regarding what can be brought back along with quantities. US says you MUST export what you are taking out of the country.

So if Canada customs turns a blind eye to you entering Canada with purchased controlled items form the US, are they saying it is okay for one to break US law?

I can see one day where you will be asked to turn around and go back into the US and show up with your Export paperwork........

Just saying.

I have heard of a guy being sent back to the US because he purchased a scope States side on a private sale and had no receipt. Was told to go back and get one.
 
As much as it sucks we just can't do it and are better off not trying etc the way things are with border security etc it's not worth the grief
We are further ahead to buy our supplies here in Canada
 
Brook said:
It looks like the answer is clear cut -- buying powder in the States just isn't going to happen for me. Thanks for all the wisdom, guys!

And it also shows how sportsmen can get in trouble despite no criminal intent. I only heard of this law in a casual conversation in a range clubhouse, or I would have assumed it was all fine because of my ATF Form 6nia and because of a Canadian government website that said I was allowed to bring back 8 kilos of powder. Dodged a bullet, so to speak.
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What part of your 6nia says it's fine to bring powder into Canada from the US? The form is very specific - it tells you which firearms and ammunition (per your application) that you can bring into the US, and that you must take them out of the US when you leave. It is a temporary import form for firearms and ammunition only.

The website that says you can import 8 kilos of powder does not specify 'from the US' You must follow the export laws of all countries.
 
ATF Form 6nia means nothing. It allows you to be in the U.S. with a firearm and ammunition to hunt or shoot a match, only.
As mentioned, repeatedly on this forum, you cannot export any reloading components from the States without their State Dept. export permit that you cannot get or even apply for. Citizenship is irrelevant.
You can, by Canadian law, import up to 5,000 rounds of ammunition without paying duty etc, but that's our law. The U.S. says you can't be in possession or export ammo without their say so. Powder is included.
 
cycbb486 said:
You are totally wrong. Just because your items are listed on your permit does not make it legal to bring the said items back into Canada. The permit is for temporary importation to the US. Not for the purchase of the items on your permit to bring back to Canada. What you buy in the US and do not use has to be exported to Canada or left in the US.

If you are doing otherwise I would not be posting on the WWW.
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Check Page 2 of the 6NIA: If you bring down 400 rounds of Vendor-X .308, you can bring 400 rounds of Vendor-X .308 back with you.

Or, put another way, bring your ammo down, but only use it if you can't find any US ammo to shoot while you're there: (Bring 400, buy and shoot ammo in the US, bring your own back). As long as you're not bringing back more than you brought in, you're fine (and match manufacturers, which isn't hard to do).

Now, if you shoot USPSA, IDPA, IPSC, or whatever, odds are you reload. Under manufacturer, I put "hand-reloaded" for the manufacturer. I've had the form approved, no probs.
 
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