Mailing Muzzle loaders to the USA

Ol' Flinter

Ol' Flinter

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It has been my understanding that the American BATF considers muzzle loaders as "Antiques" rather than "Firearms" and has no interest in them. I know from experience we can mail firearms across Canada as long as, at a minimum, there is a requirement for a signature upon receipt.

Today I tried to mail a muzzle loading rifle to a buyer in the USA and the Canada Post clerks reacted like I was mailing live hand grenades. I tried to explain that modern guns indeed have strict requirements for import to the USA but that "Antiques" do not. They could not grasp the difference and spent all their energy telling me why they could not accept the parcel.

So I would like some advice from anyone who has actually mailed a muzzle loader to the USA successfully. I need such detail as what did you describe the parcel contents as and was there any aditional paperwork involved for either Canada Customs or the US Border Protection folks.
Thanks
 
First of all, unless it is Dangerous Goods, it is none of the business of the minimum wage Shoppers Drugmart counter people working as agents for Can Post what you are shipping. They have no knowledge of U.S. Customs regs, and beyond, and if they did they would be dangerous.

Non breechloading blackpowder firearms as you know are not regulated by the BATF, they don't consider them firearms. No FFL rules. Take it back to different shipping location and if they ask what it is, its machined metal parts, non haz, made in USA.

Your shippers dec should say something like, antique machined metal parts, pipe, springs, stock support walnut, musketoon, used, made in USA, Non haz,
 
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Ol' Flinter said:
Why a courier and it is my understanding many couriers will not handle any firearms......then there are the Border Brokers fees...
Have you actually used a courier or is this just an opinion?
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Couriers will not handle *firearms* in Canada - being an antique it is not a firearm. and yes, several times I have had couriers ship and deliver.

you could still send it canada post - just don't tell them what's in it. they insist - it's an antique worth ### - beyond that none of your f***n business ;)

Take a peek at carbine's post for what to claim it as ... any ML barrels I get from the states show up as "seamless tubing"
 
Mislabelling the declaration might not be a good idea. A narrow minded government official might interpret such a declaration as falsifying an official document.
 
I am shipping a 1980's vintage percussion rifle so it is a "Firearm" as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada and by reference in the Firearms Act. Thus the reluctance to try a courier regardless of cost.

I totally agree with CARBINE's post and I did in fact have to deal with the Shopper's Drug Mart types who knew nothing and did not want to know any more. They just refused to touch it so now off to another Can Post depot.

I also agree with TIRIAQ so I am thinking to be vague but truthful as in "Ethan Allen Antique" or something like that. Wish me luck and I will report back on this.
 
Ol' Flinter said:
I am shipping a 1980's vintage percussion rifle so it is a "Firearm" as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada and by reference in the Firearms Act. Thus the reluctance to try a courier regardless of cost.

I totally agree with CARBINE's post and I did in fact have to deal with the Shopper's Drug Mart types who knew nothing and did not want to know any more. They just refused to touch it so now off to another Can Post depot.

I also agree with TIRIAQ so I am thinking to be vague but truthful as in "Ethan Allen Antique" or something like that. Wish me luck and I will report back on this.
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ship the lock separately ;)
 
Ol' Flinter said:
I am shipping a 1980's vintage percussion rifle so it is a "Firearm" as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada and by reference in the Firearms Act. Thus the reluctance to try a courier regardless of cost.

I totally agree with CARBINE's post and I did in fact have to deal with the Shopper's Drug Mart types who knew nothing and did not want to know any more. They just refused to touch it so now off to another Can Post depot.

I also agree with TIRIAQ so I am thinking to be vague but truthful as in "Ethan Allen Antique" or something like that. Wish me luck and I will report back on this.
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Or just sell it to me.....we are both local. No borders, no Shoppers Drugmart, no stress...
 
Took it to a different postal depot where the staff were more interested in behaving professionally: no questions asked and it is on the way. Won't be doing business with the busy bodies/nay-sayers any more - life is too short to waste time on people like that.
Lesson learned.
 
That’s Calgary Canada post for ya. Never had any issues with drugstore clerks in the postal department before I moved here. Have one that’s easy to deal with though, and a bit of a drive, but gotta do what you gotta do.
 
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