Real cases of Importing

baker42

baker42

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Alright I have spent the last 3 days looking on this forum, plus RCMP site, US sites, and have not found exactly what I am looking for. Found 3-4 different post on here but nothing about the exact procedures of importing an "Antique Firearms" both under US and Canadian standards

Looking for Real Cases from real people, not what "I heard" or what "I read", or most of all "says here" for the following ways of importing;

Importing via mail (ie usps. fed ex...ect)

Importing via Service (ie boarderview)

Importing via driving down and getting it

The best step by step way of importing would be great (paperwork on both sides of the border, things that had to be said, written, people you had to do nasty things with..... every detail) Any websites of dealers down south that would do it no hassle, any Canadian Antique dealers that could source out what I am looking for and or have.

The reason for this is I am looking for a real 1851 Colt Navy .36cal in shooting condition (as great as they are too look at, I still want to take it out now and then). I do not like the hassle of restricted and I feel shooting a reproduction is like driving a Fiero with a Ferrari body kit (may look wicked but just doesn't cut it). Now in that I do get iffy about shooting a $6k Antique otherwise I would have bought a few I have seen up here already.

So any help would be great!
 
baker42 said:
Alright I have spent the last 3 days looking on this forum, plus RCMP site, US sites, and have not found exactly what I am looking for. Found 3-4 different post on here but nothing about the exact procedures of importing an "Antique Firearms" both under US and Canadian standards

Looking for Real Cases from real people, not what "I heard" or what "I read", or most of all "says here" for the following ways of importing;

Importing via mail (ie usps. fed ex...ect)

Importing via Service (ie boarderview)

Importing via driving down and getting it

The best step by step way of importing would be great (paperwork on both sides of the border, things that had to be said, written, people you had to do nasty things with..... every detail) Any websites of dealers down south that would do it no hassle, any Canadian Antique dealers that could source out what I am looking for and or have.

The reason for this is I am looking for a real 1851 Colt Navy .36cal in shooting condition (as great as they are too look at, I still want to take it out now and then). I do not like the hassle of restricted and I feel shooting a reproduction is like driving a Fiero with a Ferrari body kit (may look wicked but just doesn't cut it). Now in that I do get iffy about shooting a $6k Antique otherwise I would have bought a few I have seen up here already.

So any help would be great!
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LOOK at the stickies at the top of this forum, check out what you want to bring in if it meets the standards, IE; caliber .44 russian ,not on the list / gun manufactured before 1898, good to go, rifles similar. There is even a sticky flow chart to help. You can call the cfc techs if you are unsure and they will help you, most of the time! You can get a letter stating the antique status if you so choose! Some sellers in the states don't or won't ship international , no problem, just have it sent to Borderview exporters and for a reasonable fee they will forward it to you!www.borderview.com
Cheers Bob
 
Talk to Prophet River Firearms. They import and have someone on staff who specializes in importing. That's where I'd look anyway.
 
I'm surprized your search didn't turn up anything. Myself and many others have stated numerous times all you need to do is have the seller state the Make, Model, Serial #, DOB, Caliber and the fact that it is "obsolete" on the customs form for the package. I have done this over a dozen times and never had issues with the CBSA, half the time the package was never opened. DO NOT use UPS or FEDEX, ONLY USE USPS.

If you really want you can get an "antique letter" from the RCMP techs, you'll need to email them photos and info about the gun, their email should be in one of the stickys. You basically register it then they de-register it. Be aware they keep records of all antique letters attached to your name, I have posted proof of this.

As for sellers you'll need to check the Shipping Info page on each of their sites to see if they will send up North. In the past I have posted lists of well over a dozen US dealers who will send antique guns up here.
 
Ya roger I FULLY know what the definition of "antique" is, I know what firearms meet this, was looking at cases of people doing this and how they did it, sorry if I wasn't clear enough

IE "had to get RCMP letter, had to ship to company, then placed order, had shipped to a company, then shipped to my door"


IE "found US site that shipped internationally, used credit card, said 10 hail marys, and it arrived on my door step"

That kind of answer was what I was looking for, and or like the Prophet River thing
 
banditos said:
Talk to Prophet River Firearms. They import and have someone on staff who specializes in importing. That's where I'd look anyway.
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You don't need to use this type of service for an antique class gun. Their service is great however, I used them once for a modern lever action.
 
I generally have the antique firearms shipped to the UPS store just across the border. I am about 45 minutes from the border myself. They will recieve the package for $5 - $15 depending on size. I then drive down & pick it up. At the Canada border I tell them I have an "antique ----(whatever)" I then declare the full value of what I paid for it including shipping. Yes you have to pay tax on the shipping believe it or not. They send me over for a visit with the customs guys who somewhat specialize in this. Sometimes I have the RCMP letter, sometimes I do not. It goes a little bit smoother with the letter ( and yes I know that makes the govt aware of what I have). However 3 times I didn't have time to secure a letter so tried without, and apart from taking a bit longer, it was no problem. I always have a proper (not hand written) reciept, especially if I got a good deal and paid well below market value. Which is usually the case since I don't buy unless i do get a really good deal. Their main concern has seemed to be collecting the full amount of taxes. I've had the dollar value questioned, but never the "antique-ness" of the gun, if in fact it was an antique, which it always has been since I do my research properly. I always have a printed out copy of the laws pertaining to importing antique guns, that came in handy once when a CBSA officer with limited experience claimed I couldn't legally import them. I also carry a copy of the Firearms act & Part 3 of the Criminal code, but havn't really ever resorted to pointing out the appropriate sections. They are all highlited, and bookmarked at the proper places as pertains to antique guns, just in case. I've brought in probably about 15 guns this way(some handguns, some rifles, all antiques). I'm always overprepared with paperwork, patient, & answer all questions truthfully and succintly. The border agents mostly aren't gun experts, and must satisfy themselves that it's all above board before they will release the item in question. I prefer to bring them in myself, so that they can see that they are going to someone who is mature, knowledgable, prepared & honest.
My 2 cents worth.
 
If you have to use an importer, Prophet river $250/ borderview $80. for Antiques! Your choice! I have had them sent direct, best,to another llc exporter worst $150 and 2 months, and the above borderview, good! 1 week. Of course it is best if the seller will send it direct you save extra shipping and export charges, but it can't always happen that way cause some americans are askeerd of the feds!
 
I've imported five antique six guns. Four of them, I got an RCMP letter then brought them through customs myself. Prepare to pay tax. The other one was sent to me in the mail. Came right to my door and hadn't even been opened in spite of the label on the package. They still wanted their tax, however.
 
I have used borderview three times now - for modern guns (once) and antiques twice. Have been very happy with the service.

They will also ship a firearm that is an antique in the US (pre-1898), but not considered an antique in Canada - for the same $80.00 (plus shipping).

Sometimes sellers won't send an antique to Canada - even though it is legal - in that case sending to borderview and then shipping across the border is a good option.
 
rickruddell said:
I have used borderview three times now - for modern guns (once) and antiques twice. Have been very happy with the service.

They will also ship a firearm that is an antique in the US (pre-1898), but not considered an antique in Canada - for the same $80.00 (plus shipping).

Sometimes sellers won't send an antique to Canada - even though it is legal - in that case sending to borderview and then shipping across the border is a good option.
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+1 I also used them 3 times and if you need to bring 2 antiques across at the same time the second one is only $50.,I did that too!
I love this proliferation of bringing nice antique firearms into Canada, It has become an addiction with me!
 
Great info here! Sticky material for sure... I love that I've been able to buy a few antique revolvers, from some fine CGN members, but would also like to feel confident enought to import on my own, in the future.
 
Shooting Bastard said:
Great info here! Sticky material for sure... I love that I've been able to buy a few antique revolvers, from some fine CGN members, but would also like to feel confident enought to import on my own, in the future.
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Yes,it must be said that the antiques on the ee are for the most part not overpriced and sometimes you can get them cheaper from a cgn'r than in the U.S. I have been given a lot of info from sellers here on the EE and have bid on some guns that they are also bidding on ( dingus) but that didn't stop them from helping me and providing info on how to buy and what to watch out for when buying in another country.I very much appreciate it! It is not without risk and takes time, time is worth money of course. Having bought a few antiques now fom the states I can say these guys are not making a killing and are taking all the risk. So the EE is another good source of antique guns. I just like the hunt, paid to much for some and got good deals on others. I like it! Now getting ammo to feed them,, I am still working on!:bangHead:
 
Went across and picked up a couple myself. Basically printed off a form someone had posted here (not official, just a nice form someone created). Then I printed off the rules directly from the RCMP website and presented them to the border agent.

All in all it was a painless experience. They looked over the rules. Looked at the guns to make sure they matched what I was claiming.. Then said "Have a nice Day".. Easy peasy..
 
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