After many phone calls and transfers, and sitting on hold, I finally spoke with a front line worker in the Mississauga customs facility.
She was very friendly and knew her stuff about firearms and parts. I had ordered an AR barrel from Brownells during the July 4th sale. It sat at customs since July 13th.
From what she told me, they are ordered to stop all parts related to an AR or any rifle that was prohibited in the OIC. She said it’s caused them quite a headache, and she knows that the parts and components weren’t in the ban, and she agrees that they should be released. She said I would have to fill out an import permit, I asked if she could return to sender instead. Waiting for a phone call to confirm. Spoke with Brownells as well.
Once I got ahold of the right people it’s been pretty easy and streamlined. The problem is getting past the gatekeepers at the CBSA 1800 number. I’m pretty sure those call centre people are required to make sure no one gets to the proper channels.