Airsoft Race Guns (Dead ringer Knock off) Importation

nognog

nognog

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Anyone tried importing an air soft handgun or rifle from the US? What is the procedure and legality involve?
I want to import an Air soft Race Gun from a manufacturer in Virginia, USA.

Please make note, importing from this manufacturer in the US is the only option. I need this manufacturer to build an air soft version of my race gun.

Thank you in advance. :)
 
This will probably end up getting moved to the OT but...

From what I've heard...big grain of salt here...the CBSA will be your biggest enemy. According to the firearms act an airsoft does not qualify as a firearm (500fps and 5.7 joules of energy) and it does not qualify as a replica but this has not stopped them from unofficially banning importation of them.

For the best and most up to date answers, I'd hit up a Canadian airsoft site or speak to a current reseller.

**Grab a drink and have a read...**

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=23034
 
nognog said:
Anyone tried importing an air soft handgun or rifle from the US? What is the procedure and legality involve?
I want to import an Air soft Race Gun from a manufacturer in Virginia, USA.

Please make note, importing from this manufacturer in the US is the only option. I need this manufacturer to build an air soft version of my race gun.

Thank you in advance. :)
Click to expand...

My post on this issue:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3568051#post3568051

To follow up from your post here:

If you're a PAL holder and a gun owner, you risk the illogical interpretation of the law to place you in a position of owning a prohibited device. Again, bearing the lack of logic of the law, if the law (ie. LEO, CFO, police, etc.) were ever to discover your "by the illogical interpretation of the law" to be in possession of a prohibited device, (ie. airsoft gun) you risk losing your firearms, being prosecuted under the law, and losing your license for years/forever. Is it worth all that to own an airsoft gun?

Conversely, if you're not a PAL holder and a gun owner, you're joining the tens of thousands of other Canadians who own and shoot airsoft guns that under this list of illogical laws are prohibited devices. Have yet to see or read one airsoft device owner get prosecuted for just "owning one."

Every importation of an airsoft gun is under the interpretation of the CBSA. They have a prohibition list. It's fluid and changes daily. (I have seen memos that's about it) It can also be interpreted on the spot. You can import two airsoft guns exactly the same and get one and lose the other. The CBSA will never sign a form or even indicate verbally they will allow your airsoft gun into Canada unless it falls outside the general definition of an airsoft gun or you get a ruling on your class of import. You can definitely get that ruling by the CBSA (you have to apply for it) but the moral hazard is if they slam down your ruling, you can literally change the entire system of laws regarding the importation of your CLASS of item. (ie. you can make it illegal for what the CBSA defines today as acceptable airsoft guns to import like the ones with plastic upper receivers but all made of metal) You could literally kill an entire industry with a ruling. And it could also go the other way too. (ie. in your favor and make it easier to import airsoft guns that today you cannot)

If your airsoft gun is built from birth as a replica firearm of anything that exists now as a real firearm and falls within their general guidelines of what an airsoft gun is, you should not even bother trying.

Finally, if any of your airsoft guns are seized by the CBSA, you can be red flagged for an undetermined period of time and your name/business is sent to a Targeter. Anytime you import anything into Canada and you're targeted, you're more than likely to have your shipments held for inspection and held under a higher level of scrutiny, regardless of what you're importing and from where.

Not trying to be a fear monger, but having dealt with the CBSA for 10+ years as a casual registered importer in this area, been there, done that, read it all, seen it all. It's a daily struggle.

But don't believe a word I say, LIVE THE EXPERIENCE for yourself and import away! Let us all know how it goes!

Good luck!
 
But what about "in pieces"???
Can an airsofter (who does not have PAL) import one in pieces??
I mean one screw at a time.
As we know, with firearms, receiver = firearm,
but there is no such legal definition for airsoft (that I know of).
One piece would not make it a "replica" nor a "prohib device".
Would this fly (legally)??? Huh?
 
Hey, there's a few really nicely built pieces floating around on ww w.airs oftcanada.com. Only problem is, you have to get age verified to buy them.. Kinda like getting your PAL all over again.

We also have a IPSC style competition called CAPS (Canadian Airsoft Practical Shooting) hosted usually at FACT in Toronto. Pretty nifty stuff.
 
ki11ercane,

That was an excellent post.

THANK YOU everyone for the input.

Damn, I guess I better think of another cheaper and convenient option for practicing my open gun.

Cheers :)
 
Dr.Lector said:
But what about "in pieces"???
Can an airsofter (who does not have PAL) import one in pieces??
I mean one screw at a time.
As we know, with firearms, receiver = firearm,
but there is no such legal definition for airsoft (that I know of).
One piece would not make it a "replica" nor a "prohib device".
Would this fly (legally)??? Huh?
Click to expand...

No, but putting it together will create a replica, which is prohibited.


nognog,

If you want to bring an airsoft into Canada, it is very easy, just make sure the gun is made with clear plastic parts (frame, slide) :rolleyes: . As I understand, CBSA will allow it though if it doesn't "look" like a real gun, and having see through plastic parts meets their "criteria".

However if you then go and paint it, it then becomes a prohibited "replica". :runaway:
 
SandRoad said:
No, but putting it together will create a replica, which is prohibited.


nognog,

If you want to bring an airsoft into Canada, it is very easy, just make sure the gun is made with clear plastic parts (frame, slide) :rolleyes: . As I understand, CBSA will allow it though if it doesn't "look" like a real gun, and having see through plastic parts meets their "criteria".

However if you then go and paint it, it then becomes a prohibited "replica". :runaway:
Click to expand...

Actually according the to the RCMP, airsoft isn't a replica persae as they state to be a replica it can't cause bodily harm which most airsoft do, the CBSA is the only one who cares and has made any movement towards airsoft because CBSA says they are replicas and thus a prohibited import. Once they are in the country though, they are in a gray area where they aren't judged as anything because they fit into multiple categories.

If you order from the US it will be seized if the CBSA opens the package. You can ship it in parts but remember that the slide itself will be seized.

Airsoft receivers, slides, silencers, makes with fake bullets inside, handgun frames, etc are all prohibited imports by the CBSA. Other parts though are not.
 
mbogo3 said:
Doesn't the sticker above say no airsoft?This is for guns not toys.................Harold
Click to expand...

So can you explain the difference between an "airgun" and an "airsoft gun" then? Why is one BB gun a toy and the other a "gun"? Both use air to fire a BB projectile at speeds that can cause injury. :rolleyes:

When I was a kib a BB gun WAS a toy....
 
I was under the impression Forum rules were to be adhered to ? NO AIRSOFT..but to some it appears pointless.
 
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