Customs form...

M

MarkdevCanada

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
48   0   0
Location
Wet-Coast
Hello all:

I purchased a model '78/81 Swiss Vetterli from a gun in the US. I had thought that because this was an antique that shipping to Canada would not be a problem. It turns out he's having a hell of a time shipping it to me. The USPS would not take as they say they will not ship “rifles” to Canada. He then tried to send it VIA UPS (I got a tracking number so I believe him) and the UPS web site shows it was returned to him do to a “shipping violation”

What do you guys do when having an antique rifle to Canada, and what should he write on the customs form in order to be both truefull and yet not freak out the guys at the US post office or Canada Customs?

Thanks
Mark
 
I always have any antique rifles I purchase in the USA shipped to a US destination near the border. I then personally go and bring them through Canada Customs. There's probably a more convenient way that I don't know of, so hopefully other members here can tell you what it is.
 
The only way it can be sent is with the proper historic information rpoving it is an antique. I am not familiar with the Vetterli but if it is a single shot action for an obsolete caliber of greater than .43 caliber and made prior to 1898 then it fills all of the criteria. It is quite interesting that the Mauser 1871 is OK to send but the same rifle converted with a tubular magazine, an 1871-84 model, is not. If all else fails and you fit all of the criteria you can call through to the CFC and ask them for a letter stating it is an antique. I don't believe this letter is needed but many get them just to appease the morons who don't know the facts.....most of the customs people know! As far as shipping it.... I had a Snider Enfield marked with the DC shipped to me from Texas by parcel post. The package was marked "Returned Canadian Goods" and is was never even opened by Canadian Customs but came right through. Parcel post would be one way to try to ship it as they ask fewer questions. Good luck, Dave
 
I have found that the problem is not Canada Customs, but the United States Postal Service (USPS) workers who don't even know their own laws. An RCMP antique letter is useless to them, nor is any amount of arguing, etc. if some US postal worker has decided that shipping 'rifles' to Canada is illegal. I don't know what USPS regs state about what must be printed on the outside of the box, but if it is legal, don't put anything on the outside of the box, except for an envelope taped to the outside of the box that states, 'For Canada Customs'. Put your documentation inside the envelope. That has not worked for me, (x-ray machines?) but maybe it will for you. After my first antique rifle was returned to sender because some US Postal worker thought it was illegal, I've just had my antiques shipped to a US address near the border and then cleared them through myself. By the way, I spoke directly with BATF re. antiques, and he said that antiques are not regulated.
 
The Swiss Vertteli is a 43 cal rim fired, tube fed back power rifle.

Ok, so it sounds like the best way is to deleiver it to a US address and go accross and pick it up myself. Now wouldn't I have a problem when I cross the boarder and tell the us customs guy that I'm going to pick up a rifle? I'd have thought that would be a sure way for them to pull you aside and give you a very carefull search and then stick your name on some sort of us bad guy list.
 
Make sure the parcel label declaration form only says "antiques"...nothing about antique firearms etc. Inside the box, have the seller enclose an antique letter or even a copy of the legislation should CBSA open. It is VERY unlikely that US Customs will open it, but I don't know what their definition of antique is...
 
I am usually going down to visit someone, so that is that I say to US customs.

I like Shootemup's idea the best.
 
shootemup said:
Make sure the parcel label declaration form only says "antiques"...nothing about antique firearms etc. Inside the box, have the seller enclose an antique letter or even a copy of the legislation should CBSA open. It is VERY unlikely that US Customs will open it, but I don't know what their definition of antique is...
Click to expand...


The problem Like Win 38 55 said already is with the USPS post office people.
I had one guy in FL had to go to 3 diffrent POs before he got one that did not care.
Writeing Just the Word Antiques is a good way to have the Gun seized due to Not declareing whats inside.
I had that happen once so its not B.S

Write "Antique Firearm" on the customs form get the Shipper to just go to another US Post office.
Its in the USPS Regs that it is legal to mail Antique firearms to Canada
Its just a bugger to find.
Says something like any pre 1898 Firearms under 50 Caliber can be considered Museam pieces or something like that and mailed.

I have never heard of people haveing a hard time with Rifles only Handgun normally.
 
I have had an antique rifle shipped to me from the US using UPS. The shipper labeled it Antiques and the put the proper decriptive paper work inside labeled for customs in case the box was open. There was no issue other than the usual UPS BS charge for customs and border fees. I was told by the US seller not to ever use USPS and go UPS for guns. Even though UPS charges more they are better because the USPS always causes problems shipping guns despite the fact their own rules allow for shipping of antique firearms.
 
UPS Will not ship guns into Canada nor Fed Ex "IF" they know there Firearms.

All i can say is people reading this thread Beware! lotsa incorrect info here.

Just cause you got away with it once dont meen its the way to go.

(1)Firearms just labled Antique can and have been Siezed for non Declaration of contents ANTIQUE is to Vague.

(2) UPS Do NOT ship antique firearms Handguns and or Firearms parts outa the USA. They do ship them from state to state inside the USA.

I know a Guy on CGN went thru hell because the Shipper kept shipping his Antique UPS and they kept returning them.
 
Last edited:
Dantforth said:
Dingus, am I wrong here? I thought that any rifle, that is not a single shot, did not qualify as an antique! The Vetterli is a magazine rifle. Dave
Click to expand...

Its a pre 1898 Rim fire Rifle so it can have a Mag no problem.

If its a Center fire Vetterli then to be a Perscribed Antique it must be Single shot.
 
I have just checked the box from I.M.A shipped U.P.S. the first week of September this year and it says Antique Firearm.It was received in one day from New Jersey and I only had to pay duty and G.S.T.
The gun was a Snider that came from Nepal.
The U.P.S. driver told me that there was no problem with antique firearms from the U.S. as they are not classified as firearms in the u.s.and anyone can purchase them.
 
boogieman said:
I have just checked the box from I.M.A shipped U.P.S. the first week of September this year and it says Antique Firearm.It was received in one day from New Jersey and I only had to pay duty and G.S.T.
The gun was a Snider that came from Nepal.
The U.P.S. driver told me that there was no problem with antique firearms from the U.S. as they are not classified as firearms in the u.s.and anyone can purchase them.
Click to expand...

Well i have tryed on a few Occasions by contacting UPS direct and they have said no way to antique Handguns.
Maby Antique rifles are OK in some Cases the Orignal poster of this Thread has found out Diffrent.
Not Anyone in the US can purchase Antique firearms either. Convicted fellons cant buy antique firearms.
Good if you can get a Antique gun thru tho, i know so many have tryed and failed with UPS and antique handguns tho so im saying dont even bother trying its not worth the hassel.

I just checked at UPS.com again just to see they wont ship Firearms or Firearms parts internationaly.
I tryed to argue once on the phone a years or two ago that Antique handguns are not considered firearms in the USA but they said they are Considered firearms to UPS and they would not ship them.
Lots of guys i know trying to use UPS to ship Antique handguns to Canada and have had them returned to the orignal shipper.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom