Buying guns in the states
- Thread starter hunterdad
- Start date
You can't just go down and buy it. There's a whole complex exportation process involving export approvals to export and it has to be done from a US dealer to a Canadian dealer. It's not just a "show up at the border and declare it" sort of deal. As noted above Questar does it but it adds to the price of the gun so it had better be a REALLY good dea, something you really want or something you can't normally get here in Canada and are willing to pay for it.
Actually for Canada Customs I gather they could care less in other than you filling in the proper forms and registering it. But if the US gets word of you or pulls a spot check of you leaving the country and finds the gun then goodbye to your car, contents and freedom for trying to export without the proper process. This applies to ammo, reloading supplies and some specific gun parts as well.
Actually for Canada Customs I gather they could care less in other than you filling in the proper forms and registering it. But if the US gets word of you or pulls a spot check of you leaving the country and finds the gun then goodbye to your car, contents and freedom for trying to export without the proper process. This applies to ammo, reloading supplies and some specific gun parts as well.
BCRider is right. The problem isn't so much with Canada as with the US. Export restrictions are quite different and much more restrictive in some ways, than are Canada's import regulations. I've used Questar to bring in "restricted" weapons, and their service is wonderful. Their prices have changed and you should find out cost before you commit. It can be done on your own, but it's time consuming and very detailed. CFC can be very helpful and can even give you contact phone numbers for the right offices you'll need to deal with in the US. If you live near the border, getting your paperwork in order for both the US and Canada, and then picking it up would be a good way to go.
'Having done it myself... More than once.
Sure you can.... You just can't take possession.
If you think a couple phone calls and a fax is a comples process then yeah sure
Completely false.
Actually... it is.
Providing you're squared with the cfc re. registration... A "proces" that takes about 5 minutes.
Sure you can.... You just can't take possession.
If you think a couple phone calls and a fax is a comples process then yeah sure
Completely false.
Actually... it is.
Providing you're squared with the cfc re. registration... A "proces" that takes about 5 minutes.
If you're buying from a US dealer how are you going to pass a background check if you are a Canadian? Being in possession of a gun in the US without proper paperwork is likely to get you in trouble whether you are headed for the border or not.
Buy from or have the gun shipped to a US FFL that has the US government approval to export guns. Shop around for the best price for this service. There are others than the above mentioned one that can do it for a more reasonable price. Do a Google search or inquire with the dealer you want to purchase from.
Got a link to the law that states that?
Fudd
Exceptions for purchasing firearms and ammunition include the following:
Non-residents who have the firearm directly exported to Canada by a U.S. licensed firearms dealer;
Non-residents who have:
a) a valid U.S. State-issued hunting licence or permit or an invitation to a U.S. competitive sports-shooting event,
b) proof of residency in the U.S. for at least 90 days, and
c) an alien or admission number issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS);
Law enforcement officers in the U.S. on official business
FYI, You can purchase a small game non-resident hunting license from the state of Alaska for $20.00 US on-line.
The whole story can be found here.
http://w ww.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/residents/us_reg_e.asp
Bottom line is YES you can purchase firearms and it is not particularly difficult, but you will find that there are requirements as to how the fiream is shipped. These can be a bit expensive,
Non-residents who have the firearm directly exported to Canada by a U.S. licensed firearms dealer;
Non-residents who have:
a) a valid U.S. State-issued hunting licence or permit or an invitation to a U.S. competitive sports-shooting event,
b) proof of residency in the U.S. for at least 90 days, and
c) an alien or admission number issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS);
Law enforcement officers in the U.S. on official business
FYI, You can purchase a small game non-resident hunting license from the state of Alaska for $20.00 US on-line.
The whole story can be found here.
http://w ww.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/residents/us_reg_e.asp
Bottom line is YES you can purchase firearms and it is not particularly difficult, but you will find that there are requirements as to how the fiream is shipped. These can be a bit expensive,
The transaction is for export right off the bat... No background check.
All they've ever done is scribble my PAL # on the invoice.
Like I said... Buy in the US, but you won't be able to "take possession" in the US.
That's why the US FFL I've dealt with delivers the gun(s) to the Canadian customs house at the border. No fuss no muss...
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
What kind of fees and how much are involved in all of this? Sounds like it could be one of those times when you think you've found a good deal on something you really want, until you factor in fees, taxes, etc etc which could make it prohibitive. Edit: Not being a smartass, just curious as the above has happened in the past when ordering from Cabelas.
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667, I was replying to BCRider and what he was saying about getting a spot check, etc. I didn't see how this could happen as the dealer won't be giving you possession in the USA.
I think we are on the same "side".
Fudd
I think we are on the same "side".
Fudd
For example:
'Last purchase was a Benelli M4LE (Actaully two of 'em) $1250USD each plus a $100 fee charged by the ffl re. exporting.
No NY sales tax as the guns were being exported and I don't live in NY.
At the border pst/gst on the value.
The exchange on Cdn funds was pretty good at the time so each shotgun cost about $1600 all in... Compared to the $2100+tax charged by Canadian sellers I'd say it was a good deal.
Before that it was the Beretta cx4 in 9mm... 'Bought it for $700 USD before they were even available in Canada. At the time ffl fee was $50.
My friend bought a Para Ord pistol at significant savings as well as a Savage 10FP... Both these guns were unavailable in canada at the time.
These days the exchange rate ain't so good so yeah... you gotta be careful, but with the huge mark ups some Canadian dealers/importers charge it's still often cheaper to buy in the US. And on top of that US dealers actually have stock on hand and if they don't it's usually just a matter of days... Not months for them to get what you want...
Finger Toes
Regular
- Location
- Yellowhead County
us
Just a note of interest or non interest but I tried to get Post Falls, Idaho Cabelas to ship a rifle to the Montana import paper girl ( who was getting rifles across for $50 ) and when they found out I was from CANADA! they didn't even want to let me buy the damn thing. They put up such a stink and quoted a few Bull#### laws I never heard of. Maybe it was store policy or just this stores policy but it ended in no soup for you.
Just a note of interest or non interest but I tried to get Post Falls, Idaho Cabelas to ship a rifle to the Montana import paper girl ( who was getting rifles across for $50 ) and when they found out I was from CANADA! they didn't even want to let me buy the damn thing. They put up such a stink and quoted a few Bull#### laws I never heard of. Maybe it was store policy or just this stores policy but it ended in no soup for you.
Chuckbuster
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
So, in other words, if the exchange is good there are deals to be had and the only fee in terms of export from the US is ~$100 by the FFL...thanks for the info.
I'm sure ffl's can charge whatever they want to... mine charged $100.
Your milage may vary
Yeah, but this was before the new fees. The US Department of State has changed their fee structure as of Jan 1. It has been covered in depth in previous threads.
I can tell you from first hand experience that there is now a fee for the export permit, above and beyond what the exporter may charge for their efforts in the paperwork. This fee is not for the exporter, it is for the Dept of state (paid by the exporter).
All my info I posted came from my understanding of the situation from reading threads about this here at CGN when I searched on what would be involved. So please don't shoot me for what previous CGN'ers had posted or how it appeared to translate to me....
Lots of good info added here and by some folks that have done it. It was all very encouraging until Kodiak came and rained on the parade with his news about the new export fee.....
The reloading supplies noted in previous threads were related to bullets, powder and primers. There was something about "reloading components and supplies". As far as I know reloading dies, presses and addons are still classified as "tools".
Lots of good info added here and by some folks that have done it. It was all very encouraging until Kodiak came and rained on the parade with his news about the new export fee.....
The reloading supplies noted in previous threads were related to bullets, powder and primers. There was something about "reloading components and supplies". As far as I know reloading dies, presses and addons are still classified as "tools".
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