Antique Revolver Direct Import from USA or Use a Service?

C

certman

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Super GunNutz
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Alberta
Hello everyone, I have recently won an antique S&W New Model 3 at auction serial #6683.
It is in 44 Russian, it also has a S&W factory letter stating it shipped in 1882.


I have no real doubts that it does have antique status here, but it will be coming from the US and will have to go through the border process.


For those that have imported antiques before, would there be any real advantage in having a company like IRG, Borderview, etc help to import it for me? (vs just mailing it across the border...)
I'm not against spending a little extra if it helps!
 
" A Little Extra " is $ 300. I know people who have had antique handguns & rifles mailed from US
directly to their home in Canada without any interference from Border.
 
I had one shipped by a seller, private purchase, directly to my home. On the customs declaration I had him put "Antique S&W". Oh boy! CBSA really dropped the ball! I waited 2 months after the tracking number said it was in Canada. I knew it would be here at the big Gateway postal facility but I didn't hear a word. Finally I got the number to the custom office in the postal facility and spoke to a CBSA agent. She claimed they'd tried twice to contact me and were getting ready to send the parcel back. When they contacted my email the problem was immediately obvious my seller had my address number correct (311-73 ********) and the only bobble was he'd written Ave. instead of Blvd. No biggie, right? CBSA had my address as "311073", had the postal code correct, but where the seller had clearly written ON for the provincial code, some bright spark had put ALTA (still with the correct postal code!). OMG! They also, in the letter, asked for the registration number, ATT, and PAL. The lady agent I spoke to acknowledged the fact that an ATT, reg. cert., and PAL were not required for antiques. I think she was ashamed at how they'd mishandled the whole thing that she expedited the delivery since after we spoke, I had my pistol 3 days later. My suggestion, after that, is pay Borderview or whoever to grease the wheels or if you wish, take your chances with Canada Post or CBSA. Good luck to you and let us know how it works out.
 
Some good input, I agree that it is not exactly a small amount of money more, however then there are stories such as LawrenceN’s


If I do choose to try it myself does anyone know if it matters much who it is shipped with? UPS vs USPS for example?
 
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I did it. Just email the FRT page and the S&W letter to the seller and ask him to add it to the package, mark as "antique" with full value (be honest) and then ship USPS, never had to pay a brokerage fee. CBSA may drag their feet a little bit but they will be happy to get their taxes. CP will charge a small fee when you pick it up at the post office.
 
fritzhanzel said:
I did it. Just email the FRT page and the S&W letter to the seller and ask him to add it to the package, mark as "antique" with full value (be honest) and then ship USPS, never had to pay a brokerage fee. CBSA may drag their feet a little bit but they will be happy to get their taxes. CP will charge a small fee when you pick it up at the post office.
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powderman said:
You better be sitting down when you see what UPS charges for a brokerage fee!

USPS/Canadapost brokerage fee is $10.

Regards
Click to expand...

Ok, sounds like Canada Post is the way to go!
 
So, an update for anyone in a similar situation.

The auction company ended up sending it UPS as they were pretty insistent that it was the best option for shipping to Canada.
After shipment, it only took a few days to receive the antique, it was not even opened or delayed at all by CBSA. Very surprising to me as I like many others have had small parts, magazines, etc delayed for a month or more.

I was charged roughly $17 in brokerage fees, plus the taxes. I did pay like $100 shipping, it was UPS Worldwide Expedited

If I was to do it again I’d do the same thing, but I think I got pretty lucky that the import was painless!
 
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LawrenceN said:
I had one shipped by a seller, private purchase, directly to my home. On the customs declaration I had him put "Antique S&W". Oh boy! CBSA really dropped the ball! I waited 2 months after the tracking number said it was in Canada. I knew it would be here at the big Gateway postal facility but I didn't hear a word. Finally I got the number to the custom office in the postal facility and spoke to a CBSA agent. She claimed they'd tried twice to contact me and were getting ready to send the parcel back. When they contacted my email the problem was immediately obvious my seller had my address number correct (311-73 ********) and the only bobble was he'd written Ave. instead of Blvd. No biggie, right? CBSA had my address as "311073", had the postal code correct, but where the seller had clearly written ON for the provincial code, some bright spark had put ALTA (still with the correct postal code!). OMG! They also, in the letter, asked for the registration number, ATT, and PAL. The lady agent I spoke to acknowledged the fact that an ATT, reg. cert., and PAL were not required for antiques. I think she was ashamed at how they'd mishandled the whole thing that she expedited the delivery since after we spoke, I had my pistol 3 days later. My suggestion, after that, is pay Borderview or whoever to grease the wheels or if you wish, take your chances with Canada Post or CBSA. Good luck to you and let us know how it works out.
Click to expand...

I also found that if your gun goes missing with the CBSA to no fault of your own they will do their best to get it out ASAP.
 
I recently received a Webley and two percussion pistols via UPS Air. Five days from shipping to delivery. Slight delay, as I had to pay PST/GST through the UPS website. ~$80 shipping+fees to UPS
 
Great news about the import, OP. You've got an awesome revolver on your hands.

I've had several Webleys shipped directly to me over the years. Some arrived fast and some took over six months. I now use an old guy who in the US who has an FFL (a federal firearms license) and who acts as a broker for 100 bucks. I always get the revolver quickly and without fuss.

Congrats again!
 
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