Importing antique firearms from the states

A

antiquecollector

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Hey everyone,

I've been thinking about ordering an item from the states but after hearing all the customs horror stories I want to make sure I do everything correctly.

Could anyone fill me in as to the correct way to ship an antique firearm?

This would be a pre-1898 muzzle-loading pistol for display only so hopefully 'antique' enough that it doesn't get confused with a more modern firearm - I'm not planning on firing the thing so I may even opt for something in poor/incomplete condition just to make sure they know its an antique!

Should the seller just declare it as an 'antique' and maybe put a copy of the RCMP fact sheet that defines an antique firearm and a description of the item in the package itself in case it gets flagged?

Are there any legal requirements for shipping an antique firearm from the states to Canada, either on the export or import side?

Thanks in advance for any help!
 
I usually ask the seller to state the year of manufacture and caliber on the invoice and include a printed copy of the regs in the package. Customs has always opened my parcel but I have never had an issue at all. Comes right to my door by regular post.
 
antiquecollector said:
This would be a pre-1898 muzzle-loading pistol for display only so hopefully 'antique' enough that it doesn't get confused with a more modern firearm - I'm not planning on firing the thing so I may even opt for something in poor/incomplete condition just to make sure they know its an antique!
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I had a perfectly nice and functional muzzle-loading antique shotgun sent from the states. I'd say most muzzle-loading, pistol or else, even good looking ones are so obviously antique that there's no problem at all.

Should the seller just declare it as an 'antique' a.nd maybe put a copy of the RCMP fact sheet that defines an antique firearm and a description of the item in the package itself in case it gets flagged?
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That can't hurt. The package will most probably be opened by canadian customs.

Are there any legal requirements for shipping an antique firearm from the states to Canada, either on the export or import side?
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Nope. It's like a DVD or a book.
 
The shipper should describe it as "pre-1898 antique" on the customs declaration form.

If you have a document to show antique status, scan and email it to the shipper and get him to put it in the pkg with the antique so that if it is opened for inspection the customs officer will find the document with the gun.
 
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