Expensive lesson learned today

It could have been worse.
No overnight stay in the crowbar hotel.
No request for bail in US Funds . . . part of your one phone call.
Not being able to drive home in your vehicle.
Restricted travel . . . still to be determined.
Otherwise, how were their door side manner. You were probably saved a lot of embare(a$$)ment by declaring. Do you blieve you were the target of surveillance at the point of sale? Rumors circulated this was an investigative technique possibly utilized at Kesselrings in WA State.
 
Rumors circulated this was an investigative technique possibly utilized at Kesselrings in WA State.[/QUOTE]

There is more substance to this than just "rumors".
 
Were was the spot check ? Was it right before you pay the toll to cross the bridge back in to Canada ? I have crossed the border over a dozen times in the last 6 months at Sarnia/Port Franks, and have never scene anything like that. I have brought some small amounts of ammunition back, like a couple of boxes of hard to find hunting ammunition, not knowing that it was some type of USA exporting law, and have thought to myself, "how the heck could they even know". I am careful now because I understand the exporting laws better, now that I have my Nexus card and had a lengthy interview, were I asked alot of questions. You can bring back shotshell ammunition I believe but not centerfire, and you can bring back less than $100 of non major gun parts. No frames, or barrels, but magazines are okay as far as I know, but you need to ask the USA homeland security because you always get different answeres regarding that stuff on CGN.

Don't ask these questions on CGN because whenever you do, you always get a handful of snooty comments about it being covered a thousand times, so just call up the USA authorities to get the whole scoop from them, and ask specifics about what you are planning on bringing back before you go.
 
CRAZYLOCH said:
Anything to do with firearms and ammo is controlled, BUT silly, you can buy a WHOLE reloading PRESS and its OK, because it goes under the "Tools" category not firearms.

Bullet molds, reload presses, scales etc all OK.

Not ok, Bullets, Wads, Shot sheels, primers, powder, firearm components etc..etc.

Just but that locally and support our Canadian dealers :D:D
Click to expand...

They must be doing a lot of these spot checks now since it was our 1st lately in about 10 years and probally a min of 4 trips a year. 10 years ago all they were concerned with was smokes, booze and drugs no mention of ammo but that has changed
Ok lets Slow down. Press is not OK unless is it manual ( hand only), if auto at all air assist or hyd you cannot bring it across. My press was charged to machinery parts 849909090 still have the slip. Wads are still cool as of just a few months ago. Some shot gun stuff is in a gray area including shotgun ammo , rife ammo is a no no he said??.. I had empty hulls and they were no issue with US customs.Canada customs just wanted their taxes.

This is what they went by as being not allowed or so I was told.

b) Components, parts, accessories, and attachments for articles in paragraph (a) of this category, including but not limited to cartridge cases, powder bags, bullets, jackets, cores, shells (excluding shotgun shells), projectiles, boosters, fuzes and components therefor, primers, and other detonating devices for such ammunition. (See § 121.6.)

Just to add I did try to buy the press in Canada from a site supporter but they wanted 375 with a 4-6 week delivery. I paid 185.00 for it state side in stock.
 
Last edited:
Chevelle said:
the americans had a spot check set up and when they asked if I had any ammo or firearms I said yes of course.
Click to expand...

That's no "spot check" my friend! That's a "tipped off" check. Your Canadian based license plate on your vehicle is what caused the road block. Either, they were casing the joint where you purchased your stuff or the guy at the store ratted you out. Some guys I know who attend gun shows in the USA, leave their cars elsewhere and take a cab to the show. US cops will go through the parking lots and make a list of all Canadian plates and then pass the info on to the border patrol.
 
I don't think Canada Customs should not have said limit is 5000 cases. Limit is based on primers. So it would be 5000 primers, or 5000 primed cases or 5000 loaded rounds of anything.

That is what they explained to me, last time I asked.
 
Stupid as it is I called our Customs people and got the go ahead for ammo and gun related gear , then the BATF same green light and finally last and certainly least Homeland Security whereupon I was told noway nohow.Nobody down there is on the same page..............I have no reason to return like I've been doing since 1980 for crossboarder shopping................Harold
 
It is the US State Department that controls the export of these items, i.e., ammo, ammo components, scopes, night sights, firearms and firearms parts, and the like.

If you want more info, call the State Department in Washington, DC. I did, left a message and they called me back.
 
For those of us who use the Wild Horse crossing to or from Havre country be aware. The U.S. is building a new facility. I have knowledge that and some have seen that they even have sniffer dogs at the crossing on certain days. More and more the Americans are stopping Canada bound traffic.
Be certain of what you can legally possess.
 
Don't be surprised if you're denied entry the next time you head South. What you can and cannot export, according to U.S. law, has been discussed here on a weekly basis for several years now.
 
Sorry to hear of your lost items, but it could have been much worst. I hope there will be no repercussions when you cross into the US the next time.

I have family in the US & cross several times a year. I usually cross @ Ogdensberg/Prescott, ON. I have been stopped numerous times at the American side for spot checks when returning to Canada. When doing these spot checks, they check every car crossing the border. I made myself aware of US export restrictions so I haven't had any problems. I usually have bags from BassPro or Cabelas in the car & when asked I tell them where I have been shopping & what I have in the vehicle. Sometimes they take my word for it, sometimes they look through my bags & reciepts. Don't break the law & you will have no problems with US customs.

George
 
You lucked out. Mabye do your research next time and save yourself the hassle. Only about a million posts on the subject. It isn't the Canuck side that is the problem, it is the US side. Export restrictions and such. Hopefully you are allowed back across the border.
 
Geez, the guy joined in February and has seven posts - and he's being harped at across four solid pages, for not reading "thousands of posts on the subject"!?!?

Aren't we a welcoming bunch?:rolleyes:
 
It's called an export check. Both US CBP and CBSA have the legal authority to stop and search people and goods both entering and exiting their respective countries.

US CBP is mandated to spend a certain amount of their time doing said export checks, and this is a good example of what they are looking for.
 
Suputin said:
Wow, there have only been about TEN THOUSAND posts on this subject already. And you still had to learn this one the hard way?
Click to expand...

Mabye do your research next time and save yourself the hassle. Only about a million posts on the subject.
Click to expand...


There is always one or two CGN memebers who have been on CGN for many years that feel the need to give this exact response. A response that clearly adds nothing to the thread, and one that I just do not understand.

The OP has been a member since this past February, and yet you expect him to have read these "Ten Thousand" threads on this particular subject, and I guess he should have read every single sticky and spent hours upon hours pouring over past threads as to educate himself enough as to not make this mistake, or any others.

The OP did what he thought was best, and called Canada border services and informed himself on what the regulations were before he proceeded to bring back these items. So far he sounds like a responsible and smart guy to me. Maybe your just much smarter than the rest of us, but I would bet that he did what most sensible people would have done( and have done), and figured he was good to go.

I do not blame the OP, but put the blame on the Canadian border guards not informing him correctly. If you read online or even the pamphlets given out by Canada Customs, it clearly states......

"Canadian citizens must obey U.S. federal and state laws for purchasing ammunition in the United States. For more information, refer to the ATF Brochure on Non-Immigrant Aliens Purchasing Firearms and Ammunition in the United States"

Why is it that this is never mentioned at the border ??? It takes all of 15sec for the border guards to mention this, and save people from some serious consequences due to being misinformed.

Rant over.
HB
 
The OP was let off very easy, it could have been much worse. Then again, he won't really know how lucky he is until he tries to visit the USA again. He may be denied entry, or he may be delayed and searched on a regular basis from now on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom