I would like to import some antique handguns from the states, mostly Webley Mk Is and C96 Mausers. I will be using someone like Irunguns, but does anyone know what paperwork is needed? I know of RCMP letters but I can't find how to get one. Any help would be appreciated!
Importing Antiques
- Thread starter JRussty
- Start date
KotKotofeich
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa Valley
If you are using IRG no paperwork is needed - you pay them, they do it.
If they are Prescribed Antiques, why use an Import service?
The only 'paperwork' that is involved, is paying the taxes on your purchases.
If you put together a paperwork package that relates to the firearm being a Prescribed Antique, ie: made before 1898, not in one of the listed calibers, etc., and have the seller include that with the firearm, it will likely help it pass through without too much trouble, no?
Realize that you are essentially Registering the Prescribed Antique, if you get an RCMP "Letter" for it.
The only 'paperwork' that is involved, is paying the taxes on your purchases.
If you put together a paperwork package that relates to the firearm being a Prescribed Antique, ie: made before 1898, not in one of the listed calibers, etc., and have the seller include that with the firearm, it will likely help it pass through without too much trouble, no?
Realize that you are essentially Registering the Prescribed Antique, if you get an RCMP "Letter" for it.
KotKotofeich
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa Valley
It takes one overzealous employee at USPS to just return a package to sender - get that happening a couple times and the importer becomes cheaper. Most of the time they don't bother looking at your documents - just xray. But, yes, this can generally be done. I have done it both via IRG and by mail before and if you are doing just a few, then IRG or similar is better - takes a few goes to learn all the ins and outs and not making mistakes (which cost).
For a Webley mk1 you don't need a letter, a FRT printout suffices but for a c.96 you definitely do since so few of them are antique.
What's the going rate at IRG? $200 or so? $150? And will it end up 'registered' if you go through them?
Dunno what the shipping rate on Parcel post is, but it seems to me to be less than $50 a trip, no?
KotKotofeich
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa Valley
If it's a c.96 it will end up registered regardless - just in the process of getting a letter. A Webley mk I to III will depend on how they do things, but I'm going to guess no - they have brought them in too fast in the past to have gotten a letter. And for the record I despise IRG because of some shady stuff they've pulled. Prophet River is better, I just haven't used them to bring an antique in. And yes, also for the record, I bring the antiques in without using a separate importer. Only saying that there is a bit of a learning curve and for the occasional import it might work out better.
I paid 60 USD for a (admittedly heavyish) parcel from Denver to Ottawa last month (not antique guns), I paid 40 for an priority flat rate with a part for an antique from Chicago to Ottawa, first class with tracking was working out to more somehow (I was there in person, I wasn't going to argue with a black woman postmaster matron - I'm sure you know the type). Should give an estimate on how much it is. https://www.usps.com/international/mail-shipping-services.htm
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Granted, I'm an old guy and therefore the information I have may be out-of-date, but last I heard, there was no tax or duty on antiques. However, according to another old guy who buys antique pistols in the states and sells them at local gun shows, expect some trouble with CBSA and/or the mounties if you try to import a centre fire pistol, antique or not. Most border agents and RCMP officers are ignorant of the laws surrounding antique pistols. Let's be fair, most of those guys never encounter the issue and therefore are not knowledgeable about those sections of the firearms act.
KotKotofeich
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa Valley
GST will be charged (and it is correct to do so). No duty but not because they are antique but rather based on their origin.
That is the crux of the matter, as well as the reasoning behind producing a paperwork package to have sent along with the firearm, so as to (hopefully) provide the Agent with the information he/she needs to look up the Prescribed Antique status info. Stuff like FRT copies, and direct references to the actual Prescribed Antique Laws.
The better you do your homework, the more like it will be that the package gets through. Not to say a zealous Agent cannot make misery for you, but,....
Yeah, I would EXPECT that the taxes (GST,PST,HST, as applicable) would be charged and collected on the purchase price. Not Duty. I came across the Border with some non-firearms Antiques, and the Border Agent was pretty specific when he asked me if the stuff was all over 25 years old, and thus not charged...something...
KotKotofeich
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa Valley
They got tired of all the submissions and 99.9% being rejected. They will recognize a non-turkish contract as antique, it's just a longer process than even before.
I have seen a lot of attempts to bring in antique broomhandles over the years, most ended as a loss of money and time.
Thanks for all the help everyone! I think I will use an importer to start with and learn from there.
About the Webleys, can I import one that has the cylinder shaved down to accept 45 ACP? I see them for sale up here but the RCMP site says:
7 A handgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging centre-fire cartridges, other than a handgun designed or adapted to discharge 32 Short Colt, 32 Long Colt, 32 Smith and Wesson, 32 Smith and Wesson Long, 32-20 Winchester, 38 Smith and Wesson, 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38-40 Winchester, 44-40 Winchester, or 45 Colt cartridges.
About the Webleys, can I import one that has the cylinder shaved down to accept 45 ACP? I see them for sale up here but the RCMP site says:
7 A handgun manufactured before 1898 that is capable of discharging centre-fire cartridges, other than a handgun designed or adapted to discharge 32 Short Colt, 32 Long Colt, 32 Smith and Wesson, 32 Smith and Wesson Long, 32-20 Winchester, 38 Smith and Wesson, 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, 38-40 Winchester, 44-40 Winchester, or 45 Colt cartridges.
KotKotofeich
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa Valley
Yes. Consult the FRT. 23365 - 4, 23388 - 7 etc
