fedexing/couriering a pistol to the US for work?

johan

johan

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How much hassle is it to courier a pistol to US for custom work?

I assume there must be lots of permits, etc. that need to be obtained for shipping firearms in/out of Canada and especially the US?
 
There is no courier company that we are aware of that will ship guns or parts across international boundries for any reason. This appears to be the companies' policy only. We have to have our guns shipped by approved trucking companies.
 
P of PDent, not to hijack this thread, but will I have any problems sending a Burris scope for warranty inspection/repair to the US then getting it back?

Burris seems to think not (but it sounds too good to be true) and in the end I don't want to be out a $300 scope.

What would you suggest I do?
 
Ive sent grips back to SVI for warranty work,and C More sights back to the States for repair.No problems at all,just used regular post and labelled the box as machine parts.

Guns,frames etc are a pretty different story Im sure,and probably involve lots of paperwork and redtape.Have you contacted Questar?they seem to specialise in importing from the US,they may have some good advice
 
Here's some notes on this topic. Best bet is to call the BATFE Exports Branch to get the word from them on what exactly they want.

http://www.losttarget.com/form6.html#Repairs

Importation of Firearm for Repairs

If you cannot find a dealer or company that will ship your firearm to the states for repair, you may bring the firearm to the repair facilty and/or once in the states mail the firearm to the repair facility. A dealer might be found at this Lost Target link: Canadian Importing Firearms From U.S.

1. ATF F 6 PART 1 - PDF authorizies you to leave the firearm for repair.

2. ATF Import branch gives two options. Have the repair facility initiate the paperwork or you process the paperwork. Pre-approval is required by the ATF and will take several weeks.

a. Contact the repair faciltiy and request they fill out ATF F 6 PART 1 and import the firearm on their FFL.

b. Failing that, you have the option of processing the paperwork.

o ATF ask that when you submit the paperwork, you include a letter from the repair facility stating they will be doing the repairs, and include copy of their FFL.

o ATF also ask that at the same time you submit the ATF F 6 PART 1, also submit ATF Form 6NIA (with state side hunting license).

3. Question on this subject should be directed to the ATF - Firearms and Explosives Imports Branch, (304) 260-1102.

* Nov 13, 2005: Thanks to John Ashcroft for doing the research. John reports the ATF was very helpful and answered all his questions in a timely manner, and recommends a call to the ATF before you start the process, to verify current procedures.

United States Postal Service (USPS)

Guidance Only

For Canadians, after receiving an approved ATF F 6 PART 1 you may find it easiest to enter the states and mail the firearm from a local USPS office.

Locate U.S. Post Office

Mailing the Firearm:

1. Mailing a firearm for repair does not require FFL or dealer participation.

2. The Postal Service recommends that long guns be sent by registered mail

3. No marking of any kind which would indicate the nature of the contents be placed on the outside of any parcel containing firearms.

Important, when using this mailing option, ensure the return address provided to the repair facility is for the Main Post Office in the region. If not sure, ask the Postmaster. Posted USPS regulations says that General Delivery is only authorized at the Main post office. Check first to see if the post office at your location accepts General Delivery.

Return: (State Side Address)

US Postal Service (USPS): General Delivery is a great choice for you if carrier service or a PO Box is not an option, or you don’t have a permanent address.

1. Your mail will be held at your Main Post Office for up to 30 days and can be conveniently picked up at any retail window.

2. In regard to firearms, the package should be addressed to the owner.

3. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.

Note 1: You may use any U.S. Post Office to ship the firearm.

Note 2: For General Delivery return, you must use the address for the main post office, not a satellite operation.

A common or contract carrier must be used to ship a handgun (FedEx).
Click to expand...
 
G37 said:
P of PDent, not to hijack this thread, but will I have any problems sending a Burris scope for warranty inspection/repair to the US then getting it back?

Burris seems to think not (but it sounds too good to be true) and in the end I don't want to be out a $300 scope.

What would you suggest I do?
Click to expand...
I sent a Burris scope to the U.S. two years ago and received it back without a problem about 4 weeks later. I specified "optical equipment -- returning for repair" on the customs declaration.
 
I find that ordering a custom gun from the states (they make it down there) is doable. Still a pain, but until recently a local Edmonton Gun store used to offer the service...they now refer to Questar I believe.

Never tried sending parts down, one more trip, more pain in the butt.
I know others have imported stuff on their own but I don't mind paying someone $100 to do the redtape and make sure everything's legal.
 
Getting it into the US isn't too hard, it's getting it out again that is. Very few gunsmiths are AECA registered and can apply for export licenses. There's another way ATF doesn't list there, you can take it in on a Form 6NIA, but you can't leave it behind when you leave.

No idea why in that thing above it says you need a Form 6NIA and a Form 6 Part 1, my experience is that it's one or the other. Permanent imports (i.e. you're leaving it behind or not accompanying it) require a Form 6 Part 1, if you are accompanying it AND not leaving it behind then Form 6NIA is the one.

But like I said, this is trivial compared to getting an export licence. Obviously if you can go on vacation wherever the gunsmith is for a couple of weeks and leave it there until you leave, that avoids it.

If the licensed gunsmith brings it on a Form 6, he cannot give it back to you directly, he has to export it or do it on a 4473 (which you can't do, being non-resident).

Another snag that I never see mentioned is the Federal Excise Tax. If the gunsmith or you import it in a permanent manner, i.e. on a Form 6 Part 1, then it can become liable to FET, which is 11% on top of the value of the gun, especially if it is then customised, which can be considered "manufacture". The TTB is going around at the moment giving FFLs hell over the FET.

Personally, I'd get the gunsmith to order a new gun from a wholesaler in the US, then have it customised, then arrange the export through a third party, like some of the Canadian companies already mentioned. Save yourself a lot of hassle.
 
G37 ,the warranty depot for Burris in Canada is Stoegers (they are all owned by Beretta). Sorry I don't have the phone or addr. handy for Stoegers Canada right now (I'm at home), call us at the shop if you don't have it. Stoegers will do the required shipping from their point and then return it to you. Stoegers Canada is also the distributor for Burris...the are located in Ont.
 
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