Bringing Ammo Across The Border

Rem54

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Does anyone know how many rounds of ammo that you can bring back to Canada from the USA 🇺🇸 I have heard 5000 rounds. Sounds high but maybe.
 
Zero.

The States does not allow it to leave via the average joe.

It's a silly catch. Our laws allow us to bring it back, their laws do not allow us to leave with it.

**As a quick generalization.

ITB
 
Forgive my ignorance, but when you return, you only go through CBSA. How do the Americans keep you from leaving with it?
 
Forgive my ignorance, but when you return, you only go through CBSA. How do the Americans keep you from leaving with it?

It's one of those low probability but high consequence type things. It is unlikely but it does happen that the US border patrol sets up shop on the US side, just before the Canadian border and does a spot check. You are royally hooped if this happens, really, really bad. Not worth the risk IMHO.
 
If you are an "Alien" caught in possession of ammunition while stateside, or traveling to the border, you will most likely have an unpleasant experience.

CBSA has no say in the matter.
 
The US WILL allow the ammo to leave, provided you have the proper export paperwork.

Good luck with getting that - you'll need it!!

As a practical matter, the USA won't allow ammo to leave the country in the hands of the average Joe/Jean Canadian (or anyone else for that matter). No buying cheap crates of surplus for us- dammit! (thank Chretien for that - the US was willing to leave Canada out of the ITAR regs but he said no).

CBP officers will often go to town to check out gun stores close to the border looking for Canadian licence plates. Get caught trying to take ammo back into Canada and you'll a) be donating said ammo to the US government, b) will likely be facing a federal judge on smuggling charges, and c) will be banned from entering the US for quite some time (as told me by a CBP officer at the border when I asked about it).
 
An alphabet soup of US agencies had set up a check stop about a mile south of one of the smaller border crossings here in BC. They were checking for drugs, ammunition, weapons, etc, etc. Get caught smuggling ammo, gun parts or whatever and your will get a extended stay at Club Fed. Not worth the risk.
 
The same number you take with you, assuming you have done the paperwork before you crossed.

You may bring back up to the same amount that is on your ATF form 6, that you went south with, no more than that. The US does not allow an alien to purchase ammunition or firearms unless they are a resident in that state. Credit card purchases at gun stores, gun shows, etc., are flagged by ATF. I have heard that agents record Canadian license numbers at gun shows, gun stores etc. At that point you are a 'person of interest' to them, your vehicle license plate number is entered in their computers. . Many times there are agents at the border crossings pulling these plate numbers over and inspecting the vehicles. I have seen them many times while crossing back into Canada at Lewiston and Buffalo NY, Detroit and Port Huron Michigan. Illegally exporting ammunition, components, gun parts from the US is a felony, with all the good stuff that goes along with that. An easy way to become 'persona non grata' in the US. NOT worth the few dollars saved. This situation may change in the future with the new administration in D.C.
 
To be completely honest, there is no reason to buy ammo in the US. First its illegal, Second its dam near close to the same price not including the exchange rate. I have done it many many times in the past , naive and not knowing that I was breaking laws in the US. I will never do it again. No way no how .
 
The same number you take with you, assuming you have done the paperwork before you crossed.

^^^This... the ammo manufacturer, caliber, bullet type and quantity needs to be listed on your Form 6N1A that you should have in your possession when you bring your ammo into the US. You can have the same quantity or less when returning. I've seen the CBP setup screening cars on the Detroit side coming home.
 
To be completely honest, there is no reason to buy ammo in the US. First its illegal, Second its dam near close to the same price not including the exchange rate. I have done it many many times in the past , naive and not knowing that I was breaking laws in the US. I will never do it again. No way no how .

I was in Phoenix last week, HMR here is $22-23 a box, there its $12-13.
 
So if we are allowed to bring ammunition down to the USA for hunting or competition, are they allowed to bring it up to Canada for the same activities?

I as an American resident do and am able to bring USA ammo to shoot in Canada. Only paperwork I need from USA is a registration certificate of goods taken abroad. They only record serialized items. So ammo they do not record.


Edit: i am allowed to bring 1000 rounds of ammo for my guns that I'm bringing into Canada and 3 firearms only. The only thing is that the ammo must return with me, and I cannot transfer said ammo to anyone.
 
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I as an American resident do and am able to bring USA ammo to shoot in Canada. Only paperwork I need from USA is a registration certificate of goods taken abroad. They only record serialized items. So ammo they do not record.

American resident or citizen? US citizen living in Canada? permit needed to purchase? my wife is American, that's why I ask.
 
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