Buying BP in the USA and coming back

Last time I did that, I kept my purchase to 8lbs. Claimed it at the border, & Canada Customs didn't bother me at all.
 
You "DO NOT" need an export permit from anyone. I have checked with the US Customs recently and there is no restriction on black powder leaving the USA. Our Customs regulations allow you to bring 8Kg's (17.6 pounds) for every trip you make. The ONLY stipulation is that it has to be in one pound containers and not bulk. Much...much...much cheaper over there! There have been other recent postings here regarding the importing of black powder. I bring some back every trip I make. The only fly in the ointment may be that the US dealers who stock it are becoming fewer in number every year due to their "insurance companies" charging larger fees if they stock it. Many dealers are getting out. I go to northern New York to get mine as there are still dealers there who have it in stock always.
 
Last edited:
You "DO NOT" need an export permit from anyone. I have checked with the US Customs recently and there is no restriction on black powder leaving the USA. Our Customs regulations allow you to bring 8Kg's for every trip you make. The ONLY stipulation is that it has to be in one pound containers and not bulk. Much...much...much cheaper over there! There have been other recent postings here regarding the importing of black powder. I bring some back every trip I make. Dave

So who in customs did you check with... Considering customs doesn't deal with exports what would they know? You should be checking with DOC or DOS... They issue the permits...

I mean my kid told me that dogs and chickens are good friends does that mean I should let the huskies sleep in the hen house???
 
Oh, please.....no matter who I checked with wouldn't please some people! Like I said , I checked with and spoke to two customs officers regarding the matter. One was at the border and one was in the "export control" area. Good enough for me. The dealer I buy from sells 90% of their BP to Canadians and they have checked with the export people. Don't go there and buy it.....it's only about 1/3 the price of BP here.
 
Oh, please.....no matter who I checked with wouldn't please some people! Like I said , I checked with and spoke to two customs officers regarding the matter. One was at the border and one was in the "export control" area. Good enough for me. The dealer I buy from sells 90% of their BP to Canadians and they have checked with the export people. Don't go there and buy it.....it's only about 1/3 the price of BP here.

So the folks that sell it up here are after 300% profit... Hmmmm... Wonder if maybe it has something to do with the TDG requirements and the permits they need to get... Nahh they are just greedy bastards...

Not my problem... I know that most explosives do require a permit.. I'd be very surprised if BP doesn't... But hey you'll bail geraldbergeron out if there is a problem right...

And you'll deal with his legal bills...
Maybe it's not even in ITAR it's part of one of the other sets of exports But I'm no expert on ITAR... It's not exactly reading for the layman.... But here is what I found...

Black power is classed by the UN as 1.1D
http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/docs/ITAR/2007/official_itar/ITAR_Part_121.pdf

Page 475 starts with CATEGORY V—EXPLOSIVES AND ENERGETIC MATERIALS, PROPELLANTS, INCENDIARY AGENTS AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS
* (a) Explosives, and mixtures thereof:

It goes into chemical compositions.. and lord knows chemistry is not my expertise.....

Then see page 476 under propellants... it talks about sold propellants so that may be more about rocket fuel

And then I saw this up near the top....... there is an exclusion in ITAR for shotguns so possibly black powder is excluded too...

Note: This coverage by the U.S. Munitions List in paragraphs (a) through (i) of this category excludes any non-combat shotgun with a barrel length of 18 inches or longer, BB, pellet, and muzzle loading (black powder) firearms. This category does not cover riflescopes and sighting devices that are not manufactured to military specifications. It also excludes accessories and attachments (e.g., belts, slings, after market rubber grips, cleaning kits) for firearms that do not enhance the usefulness, effectiveness, or capabilities of the firearm, components and parts. The Department of Commerce regulates the export of such items. See the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR parts 730–799). In addition, license exemptions for the items in this category are available in various parts of this subchapter (e.g. §§123.17, 123.18 and 125.4).
 
Last edited:
I've brought back 1 or 2# of BP is the US on several occasions. I've always declared it at the border and never had a problem. Only once the Canadian guard asked to see my PAL. No big deal.
 
I've brought back 1 or 2# of BP is the US on several occasions. I've always declared it at the border and never had a problem. Only once the Canadian guard asked to see my PAL. No big deal.

Import into Canada and export out of the US are different issues.
 
The Question you should be asking is a non resident alien allowed to posses a explosive in the US you are not allowed primers loaded ammo etc. under there anti terrorist laws so why would black powder be any different yes just like loaded ammo you can bring it back but if you get stopped with it in the US . things may not go well for you.
 
I have a great idea.....don't buy it there! Don't do the checks to see if it's OK to bring it back! Bury your head in the sand. Oh yes, I do agree it is always better to buy Canadian when possible, but my experience is that some brands are never available here.... dealers don't always have BP when you need it and....for whatever reason, the price is much higher. I did my homework andf feel good about my sources. I tried to give an informed answer based on experience and research. I don't know what else I could do? For those heading to the USA to buy black powder... do stop at US Customs and do ask about regulations and about other agencies which may have an interest. Caution is a good thing. I expect the originator of this thread was looking for guidance and opinions and he got both. Cheers, Dave
 
What we really need is someone(or two) to step up to the plate and bring BP in and sell it at a reasonable price, seems to me like some of the folks at the top of this page could sell it!!
 
Canada Custums will allow you to bring back 8kg's , you must declare it, and you might have to pay taxes.
I'm not sure if you are allowed to legally purchase BP as an alien in the States. I've gone to 3 Rondys there this summer,and noticed that none of the traders are allowed to sell BP, there are new State and federal Regs out.
I'll make some enquiries and report back.
Cheers nessy.
 
I've brought back 1 or 2# of BP is the US on several occasions. I've always declared it at the border and never had a problem. Only once the Canadian guard asked to see my PAL. No big deal.

For the last time, it's not the Canadian laws that are being broken but the US laws.

An alien cannot purchase or possess ammo or components unless he has a hunting permit, an invitation to a competition PLUS Form6NIA. If you purchase ammo in the US under this criteia, you cannot take it home, you have to use it up.
 
why is this question either black powder or ammo or such endlessly repeated.
lets say it simply........

CANADA CUSTOMS DOESNT CARE WHAT AMMO /POWDER YOU ENTER CANADA WITH ...AS LONG AS ITS DECLARED AND APPLICABLE DUTY IS PAID,.....GOT IT?

IF USA LAW ENFORCEMENT/CUSTOMS/BATF/ECT. ECT. GET YOU WITHIN THE USA , NOT BEING A US CITEZEN, IN POSSESSION OF POWDER /AMMO OR SUCH OR leaving THE USA WITH SUCH YOU WILL, MOST LIKELY BE IN BIG POO--POO = TROUBLE.........

NUFF SAID
 
Finally after a number of calls to the BATF, I talked to a supervisor in the import section in West Va.
The difference between black powder and ammunition/reloading components is, blackpowder is an explosive and Aliens are not allowed to buy or possess blackpowder in the US.
What RePete and others have said is exactly correct for ammo/reloading, you need your form 6NIA to be in possession while you are there, again you cannot bring any home.
Cheers nessy.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom