A question about shipping antique guns to the U.S.

Since all the major shippers won't handle shipments of firearms outside the country (Modern or Antique) including Canada Post, UPS or Fedex. About the only method is to use an export service, but unfortunately it is a pretty expensive option.
 
I believe Canada Post will still ship legal antiques out. They certainly will bring them in with no problem. It's kind of interesting how some commercial sellers in the US go out of their way to export antiques to Canada while some make no effort and insist on use of a broker. Meanwhile any US resident can simply mail an antique to Canada. The fees the brokers charge is quite amazing considering no paperwork or permits are required on either side of the border.

milsurpo
 
I bought a Whitney Navy revolver from Ancestry Guns in Missouri in August 2019.
It was sent to my post office .
It was expensive because of U.S. exchange rate----otherwise --no problem.

I had to pay $109.27 for customs duty and other taxes at the post office.



My only other experience purchasing from the U.S. was back in December 1991---I bought a martial '51 Colt Navy revolver from David Condon Inc in Middleburg Virginia.

 
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Yes you can ship guns into Canada from the USA, its the other way around that is the problem. Canada Post does not make any difference with Antique or Modern Guns, any gun shipped from Canada and discovered by them will be seized. Happened to John Denner when he was still in business and after he told me about it I also stopped shipping guns to the USA. Only safe way is to use an exporter with the appropiate licence.
 
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My best:

Hello Eric,
It is nice to meet you!

OIF is teamed up with Prophet River Holdings in Canada to pipeline firearms and accessories to save customers money for shipping and licensing.

Once you win the auction or pick out the item of your interest, OIF will need to connect with the seller (CC OIF in the email) to make the purchase for you to keep it legal. OIF will send you an invoice with OIF’s fee for firearms and or accessories, receive the wire transfer from you, then OIF will pay the seller. The seller will send us the firearms or parts, and we will then export the items to you in 4-6 weeks.

OIF Fee for Firearms and Accessories:

Firearms-

$0-$3,500.00 OIF Fee $100.00

$3,500.00 and up OIF Fee 3%

Parts and Accessories-

OIF Fee $ 50.00

Wire Fee $ 40.00 or CC Fee 4%

Thanks,
Ryan Hauser
Logistics Manager
OIF Exporting, LLC
Ph: 937-938-7271
Fax: 937-396-1046

OIF Exporting is a distributor of items that are controlled under the Arms Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Act, the Export Administration Regulations, and other governing laws and regulations. No item purchased from OIF Exporting can be lawfully exported without the required licensing from the United States Department of State or the United States Department of Commerce, as applicable. Anyone desiring to export any item sold by OIF Exporting is responsible to ensure that it has satisfied any licensure or exemption requirements and that the export is in compliance with any and all applicable laws and regulations. Failure to follow such laws is a felony punishable by substantial prison time, fines, and other penalties, and OIF Exporting is required by law to report known or suspected violations to the proper authorities.
 
I have used Borderview too. Prophet River was the ones who pointed me to them.

Go into it expecting it to be a slow process mine was 4 months from day one till guns delivered to buyer.
 
Are you familiar with Borderview?
Any opinions regarding them?

Borderview has some decent people working for them. Some time ago I had a rifle sent to them for import to Canada. I hadn't paid attention to the fact that they had changed their address. The rifle was delivered to the wrong address and one of the people from Borderview drove over and picked it up. That's some decent service in my opinion.

Chris.
 
I sold an antique rifle to a fellow in the US some years back.

IIRC, the buyer initiated the request through his applicable state and then sent me the applicable BATF forms (the buyer referred to it as a Form 6). These forms were included with the rifle box and I shipped through Canada post.

I went through my email and here is what he told me at the time:

As far as I can tell, after discussing the procedure with BATF Import, all I have to do is get the proper form signed by my local licensed dealer and approved by the BATF (should be no problem but could take time), and send the form to you. You put it inside the shipping container with the gun, and then you can ship by any means you like to my licensed dealer.

ATF says to allow at least sixty days for processing the Form 6.
 
I was in the process of using Borderview to ship some antique guns to auction. They were always responsive but I emailed a final question and never heard back. Just tried a search on the web and their sight never came up. Wondering if they are still around.
 
I was in the process of using Borderview to ship some antique guns to auction. They were always responsive but I emailed a final question and never heard back. Just tried a search on the web and their sight never came up. Wondering if they are still around.

I was wondering the same. Prophet River now uses OIF Exporting on the U.S. side of things.

Chris.
 
I have two antiques at Borderview right now (exporting from Canada to the US). They are still in business, but are having some issues with their website. You can still reach them at the phone number Google pulls up for them. They've had my items (a flintlock French 1763 and a Mendenhall, Jones & Garnder rifle) since November 8; so yeah, not the speediest folks out there, but hopefully my stuff will get here soonish.
 
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