Bullets across the US Border

The Explosives Act sets limits on the amount of ammunition and ammunition components that may be imported without an import permit. Generally, the Explosives Act allows individuals to import up to 5,000 cartridges of non-prohibited ammunition for personal use without an import permit.
 
You can IMPORT to Canada "no problem" - you can NOT EXPORT or be in possession in the US without permits.

If you get caught with them in your possession in the US you will have a problem.
 
Short answer, no, ITAR amongst other things. Have an export permit or else. However, if you feel like rolling the dice...
 
You are dealing with Canadian and American laws.

2 different countries and 2 different sets of law. As you will be in the USA it's their laws that must be adhered to.

Yes, Canadian laws say you can import legally but American laws say that you can't export any ammunition or components without the proper paperwork which takes so much time it usually isn't worth it for small amounts.

The kicker is if you try and get your bullets past security in the USA and get caught you may well end up sitting in a jail cell for at least a little while until you are booted out of the country and asked never to return.
 
There is a proper procedure, which in your case is not practical coz it takes a while and retailer in US must be setup to export. I have almost done it from Brownells but then I found what I was looking for in Canada so didn't proceed
 
No, you can't export ammunition from the US,. Not a problem with CBSA but a huge problem on the US side. If you are caught expect to go on the no fly list as well as a whole lot of Federal charges. I was trying to buy some ammunition and got the OK from CFO, RCMP and CBSA but but absolutely not from the ATF and US Border Protection. Also, non-citizens are not legally allowed to possess ammunition.
 
GM Guy said:
No, you can't export ammunition from the US,. Not a problem with CBSA but a huge problem on the US side. If you are caught expect to go on the no fly list as well as a whole lot of Federal charges. I was trying to buy some ammunition and got the OK from CFO, RCMP and CBSA but but absolutely not from the ATF and US Border Protection. Also, non-citizens are not legally allowed to possess ammunition.
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It's not just for ammunition, it also applies to components such as bullets , brass, powder and primers.
 
I believe as a non-citizen you are allowed to possess up 1000 rounds of ammunition IF you have a valid hunting permit. That may help you with posession in the USA but not export.
 
As it is written on the Instruction Sheet For ATF Form 6NIA (5330.3)
Near the bottom of paragraph 1. (Page 5 of PDF)

https://www.atf.gov/file/11386/download

"A non immigrant alien admitted without a visa is not prohibited from posessing or receiving firearms or ammunition in the United States"

The key phrase is without a visa. As Canadian citizens we are exempt from requiring a visa to enter the United States for stays under 1 year.

https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/nonimmigrant-aliens

The USA does not use the term Non-citizen.
https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/International-Taxpayers/Immigration-Terms-and-Definitions-Involving-Aliens

Bold statements below are false.

GM Guy said:
No, you can't export ammunition from the US,. Not a problem with CBSA but a huge problem on the US side. If you are caught expect to go on the no fly list as well as a whole lot of Federal charges. I was trying to buy some ammunition and got the OK from CFO, RCMP and CBSA but but absolutely not from the ATF and US Border Protection. Also, non-citizens are not legally allowed to possess ammunition.
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See above.
Also you can be a "Non-Citizen" yet be legal to possess ammunition.

VancouverS4 said:
I believe as a non-citizen you are allowed to possess up 1000 rounds of ammunition IF you have a valid hunting permit. That may help you with posession in the USA but not export.
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What you believe is completely wrong.


BattleRife said:
You must mean non-residents? Non-citizens who live in the USA are completely free to own and use firearms and ammunition.
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Not true.
 
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CBSA booklet states you are allowed 5000 rounds per person.....got a close friend who lives 30 mins into Washington state.......ill drive down pick him up go ammo shopping and then we both come back to Canada he is allowed to purchase and travel with the ammunition state side....when we reach Canada I take possession....what is the problem? AND YES WE HAVE GONE THOSE THOSE SCARY ATF PRE BORDER INSPECTIONS AND WE TELL THE TRUTH WE HAVE AMMO! NO PROBLEMS EVER

Please correct me if there is any illegal activity going on here and remember I am not the one who is bringing the ammo into Canada a US resident is
 
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icelink said:
CBSA booklet states you are allowed 5000 rounds per person.....got a close friend who lives 30 mins into Washington state.......ill drIve down pick him up go ammo shopping and then we both come back to Canada he is allowed to purchase and travel with the ammunition state side....when we reach Canada i take possession....what is the problem? AND YES WE HAVE GONE THOSE THOSE SCARY ATF PRE BORDER INSPECTIONS AND WE TELL THE TRUTH WE HAVE AMMO! NO PROBLEMS EVER
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Whether American or Canadian, you need an export permit to export out of the USA. If you are stopped at a Homeland Security check station on your way out of the USA, they can seize the ammunition/components. The American citizen would actually be in more trouble than a Canadian citizen. An American citizen can take ammunition out of the USA to hunt or attend a shoot in Canada, but he has to take all unused ammunition with him when he returns to the USA. On the other hand, the Homeland Security people are more inclined to seize reloading components than ammunition, because it's not likely that tbe US citizen would be taking components on a hunt, or to a shoot.
 
we do go hunting and shooting when he comes to Canada sometimes there is some ammo left over though that he forgets to bring back with him......oh geez I better let him know next time.......those homeland security checkpoints are far more concerned about actual weapons, bombs, illegal aliens, and drugs then a little bit of ammo that you actually tell them you have, the customs brochure should be ALOT more clearer cause you all know what it states I am not aware of any export laws or anything other than what it states and that is 5000 rounds I never knew any of this was illegal especially with an US citizen with me......it just baffels me that this has been going on for a while along with talking to ATF at pre border checkpoints and actually showing them the ammo we are bringing....if anyone was going to ask for an export permit it would of been them very strange i will look in to this further and correct any wrong doing that has happenend thanks for the heads up
 
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