Importing Antiques from U.S.

sportee

sportee

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Ok, I know this has been discussed before but I just want to make sure I have it correct before I do it.

From what ive gathered i do the following:

Get the letter confirming antiques status from the CFC,
Send it to the seller to put in the package with the gun,
Have it shipped USPS, UPS, or whatever with the tracking number of course.
Wait for it to arrive.

I had a fellow tell me that i need an import permit or something like that to bring an antique firearm in from the states...is this true?
 
No. I've never even had a letter from the CFC. I just get a bill of sale stating caliber and year of manufacturer and get them to include a printed out copy of the antique rules from the CFC website. I've had three guns through the mail like this, all opened by customs and never a problem.
 
I used to import a few parts but havent done it in a while...if i recall correctly i get the seller to put "antique" on the package and then i dont have to pay a customs charge...how do i get away from paying the taxes or does it have to be done regardless??
 
MY rolling block pistol just cleared this morning they have the frt disks there but they may not be-able to find yours I've had know problems so far .you don't need a import permit for a antique fire arm as long as it meets the Canadian def. of an antique make sure you get the letter from the registry before hand and have that sent with the gun . but that doesn't mean you won't have problems but you shouldn't.
 
Spotree:

If you ship with a courier you will be very very disapointed! You gotta use USPS. both Canada and USA require most secure shipping method.

There are USPS regulations with regards to the shipping of antiques, primarily the package can not say firearm or give any indication that a firearm is in the package.

You will have to pay tax and duty on the declared value of the firearm though some countries of manufacture do not get duty charged. add 100 bucks on the average antique for shipping and duty.

Well many think that the USA antique regs are "slacker" then ours a careful reading of there regs will reveal that many canadian antiques are NOT antique in the USA this is something to watch for. I think the chance of the BATF/export control agencies stumbling upon a mis identified antique are slim but if they do the next vacation to the states could get interesting.

Relying on USA sellers to keep you in compliance is a hit and miss bussiness and many don't much care if you get your gun once they cash the Money Order. Best to buy from dealers with experience shipping to Canada. The old adage of you get what you pay for applies. I have recieved an antique sent ground mail, no sig or tracking in a kellogs cornflakes box! This after paying for and reminding to be sent most secure method. This could of got the gun siezed on either side of the border. I made a verbal declaration to Customs after the gun was 3 weeks late and I realized the seller did not comply. HASSLE.

Add another few hundred bucks onto the cost of any import to account for the fact/risk that you cannot return it if the description is not accurate.

There are a lot of antiques in the states and prices are generally lower then here. The mark up in Canada is generally reflective of the time, money,stress and hassle involved in getting the gun home and the Lotto component of it's actual condition.
 
I had a fellow tell me that i need an import permit or something like that to bring an antique firearm in from the states...is this true?
Click to expand...

No, unless you are paying for an importers service then they need to have an excuse to charge you big$
 
Ya i Back up everything David has Said.

also buying off Auctions like Gun broker you cant just Bid on any gun you see!
Alot are not Antique in Canada by Caliber or date and MOST sellers WONT ship international.

Places like Collectors Firearms of Texas are good to deal with they include lots of paperwork explaining the guns Antique ECT + if ya buy a $1400 gun from them and it gets lost or stollen by a postal Chimp they will cover it.

BUT USPS max insurance is about $650 US MAX so buy the same $1400 gun from a seller on Gun Broker and it gets lost or Chimped your out the diffrence.

Thats something to consider.
 
if ya buy a $1400 gun from them and it gets lost or stollen by a postal Chimp they will cover it.
Click to expand...

Or if a chimp drops it on a concrete floor while practicing twirling your gun on his finger all high on sugar and caffiene at 3 am.
 
Just got one sent from Utah, Customs held it for two days then released it.Had to pay an additional $21.00 to the post lady that was all. The gun had paperwork stating it was a 38rf and obsolete.
 
The only thing I'd add is that when I've done this (twice) I called Border Services and got the name of the technical guy who said it wasn't a problem. I made up a letter with that man's name (with his permission), attached the CFC letter stating "antique", and sent it to the vendor with the request that the two letters be placed prominently in the package with the gun. I've not had any problem. Paid the duty when I picked up the gun.

Armchair Gun Show and Horst Held in the US have good stuff (in my opinion).
 
The option I use is to have the antique shipped to a location at the border. I then clear it through customs myself. Only takes about 10 minutes. They always ding me for GST and PST. This works well if you live within reasonable driving distance of the border.
 
I never get charged Duty :D

But they like me :p

GST and PST but never once have i been charged Duty ever!

Its always 0 on the form!
 
I had a flintlock rifle shipped from TVM, marked as an antique. Customs added their tax, which I paid when I picked it up at the post office. USPS (United States Postal Service ), has an overseas rate that is reasonable and you can get insurance for up $1,000.00. If you ship by a private couries company you will have to pay a large brokerage fee. There is no brokerage fee with shipping USPS.
sail32.
 
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