Reloading equipment and Crossing the Border

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My limited experience has been as follows:

I asked the Canadian customs agent at a Montana/BC crossing about bringing in a scope. He said no problem at all, just declare it and pay GST if over the limit for the stay. I recently brought in 2 Bell and Carlson A-5 Medalist stocks shipped to Spokane and picked up there. Just GST.

HOWEVER, the words of wisdom from the customs agent was that it was totally legal to bring them into Canada but it was illegal to export them from the US. He advised that if we were stopped by a US check stop inside the border, we could be in trouble. Twice over past 5 years have I hit a US checkstop about 200 yards before getting to the Canadian customs.

Again, the part about all gun parts except the action/receiver was what they told me.

A shooting buddy who went at Easter to the US, told me that he checked and 8 kg of powder per person was allowed but it had to be declared in a unique way. He said the CDN gov website: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms-smm/expl-expl/imp-imp-eng.htm shows 8 kg max of powder and 5000 primers.

Also, http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms-smm/expl-expl/publ-publ/ima-ima-eng.htm#c shows that it is legal to bring 5000 rounds of ammo back HOWEVER, other documentation shows it is illegal to export ammo. It may or may not be difficult to actually purchase the ammo depending upon which state you are in.

Bottom line, pretty much everything except actual guns can be brought in if declared and taxes paid. However, you are probably breaking some serious homeland security laws exporting any of the above and a US side check stop could ruin your day.

Finally, I am not a lawyer or a specialist in this area. Check out the 2 links for further reading and good luck. Hope this helps.
 
Joep17 said:
Bottom line, pretty much everything except actual guns can be brought in if declared and taxes paid. However, you are probably breaking some serious homeland security laws exporting any of the above and a US side check stop could ruin your day.
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This is very true. Most people don't realize that while Canada Customs will allow you to bring home ammo and components you are a) not legally allowed to possess them in the US and b) are breaking US law by exporting them to Canada. The penalties can be quite severe, I've heard.

Back to the reloading equipment issue though. I just went through the same dilemma as the OP. I searched the US government sites and couldn't find any info on exporting equipment. I went ahead and ordered anyhow. It would be great if someone could post links to the relevant US websites regarding this issue.

With all that said I have to wonder about the huge discrepancy in equipment prices from the US vs. Canada. For instance. I paid $280 for an RCBS Chargemaster 1500 scale combo and Cabelas lists the exact same item for $480. As well, the Rockchucker master reloading kit is $280 in the US and $460 at WSS. Given that our dollar is at par and there are no additional fees or permits required to import these items why do they cost almost double here?
 
The Canadian Border Services Staff have always been very reasonable with my ammunition component purchases State side and have often commented on how the products are just 'sooo Cheap' stateside.

They have reminded me that we are allowed to bring no more than 5000 loaded rounds per trip and 'suggested' 6-8lbs of powder per trip maximum. I still have a laugh about the 5000 loaded rounds for personal use, per trip. I guess if you were bringing back 5000 rounds of ammo you might consider buying and extra barrel as well.
I pay Canada Customs their GST and PST on most trips and have't had any problems. Just expect to pay. NEVER any duty yet.

I have been pulled over by US Homeland Security a few times 200-300 yards from the border and they have searched the vehicle extensively, fortunately no ammunition components on those trips.

Andrew, the reason for the prices being much higher in Canada versus the United States is the Brokerage Fees that are incurred to 'bring the packages' across the border. Since time is also money in this supply business, their is a further cost incurred with the time it may take. Does it make the product almost twice the price in Canada--Not necessarily, but you are comparing prices to a company who may sell 400 units of a specific product in Canada per year to a company that sells 40,000 units of the same product per year. . . Who do you think is going to get the mega price break from the Manufacturer and pass it onto their customers? Often when you buy directly from the large retail companies in the states the price difference is staggering!

When you add the costs of shipping and Brokerage fees, time value of money and possibility of delay risk, it is easy to see how the priced quickly escalate coming from the United States to Canada.
 
mattyboylewis said:
The Canadian Border Services Staff have always been very reasonable with my ammunition component purchases State side and have often commented on how the products are just 'sooo Cheap' stateside.

They have reminded me that we are allowed to bring no more than 5000 loaded rounds per trip and 'suggested' 6-8lbs of powder per trip maximum. I still have a laugh about the 5000 loaded rounds for personal use, per trip. I guess if you were bringing back 5000 rounds of ammo you might consider buying and extra barrel as well.
I pay Canada Customs their GST and PST on most trips and have't had any problems. Just expect to pay. NEVER any duty yet.

I have been pulled over by US Homeland Security a few times 200-300 yards from the border and they have searched the vehicle extensively, fortunately no ammunition components on those trips.

Andrew, the reason for the prices being much higher in Canada versus the United States is the Brokerage Fees that are incurred to 'bring the packages' across the border. Since time is also money in this supply business, their is a further cost incurred with the time it may take. Does it make the product almost twice the price in Canada--Not necessarily, but you are comparing prices to a company who may sell 400 units of a specific product in Canada per year to a company that sells 40,000 units of the same product per year. . . Who do you think is going to get the mega price break from the Manufacturer and pass it onto their customers? Often when you buy directly from the large retail companies in the states the price difference is staggering!

When you add the costs of shipping and Brokerage fees, time value of money and possibility of delay risk, it is easy to see how the priced quickly escalate coming from the United States to Canada.
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You are not breaking a Canadian law, you are breaking a US law.

Components and ammo is controlled. If you don't have Form 6NIA, you are breaking the law being in possession of components and ammo.

If you want to buy components legally, you have to get an Import Certificate from DFAIT, send that to the US dealer and he submits it to State dept or Commerce dept and you wait about 2 months or so before they issue the papers.
 
mattyboylewis said:
When you add the costs of shipping and Brokerage fees, time value of money and possibility of delay risk, it is easy to see how the priced quickly escalate coming from the United States to Canada.
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This may be true if the Canadian prices weren't near double. It would be even more true if the big Canadian dealers actually stocked some of this stuff.
 
Katana said:
Me thinks you edit your post before your name turns Hello Kitty pink, SKJ
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Why? To my knowledge, I as not doing anything illegal. Before I departed, I called Border Services, AND the BATF. I told the persons on the other end that I was planning on purchasing a Montana Vintage Arms Soule-type rear sight for my Sharps rifle while in the great state of Montana. Asking simply if the purchase, possession, and importation of one (among other items) would require any special paperwork. The reponses were that there was NO problem with legislation on either side of the border. Names and contact info of whom was spoken were recorded and kept in my possesion. I even made a point of crossing during regular office hours if there was a problem.

Form the information I was given, unless there is a complete action or bare reciever involved gun parts are apparently a non-issue.

When I crossed at the Port of Monchy, I handed the guy my list of purchases. He looked at the item that was listed "MVA rear sight... $485.00" and said "Well what's this?" So I took it from its package and gave it to him. He looked at it, then it was handed back to me. He inquired about the bag of .38-55 brass I bought. Duty was paid on 3 dozen beer, and I was on my way. So where was the illegal act in that?

If Katana, and PileBuck know something this guy didn't... WELL! Get your butts on down to border Services and score yourself a sweet Guv' mint position keeping all those evil peep sights from our beloved shores.
 
RePete said:
You are not breaking a Canadian law, you are breaking a US law.

Components and ammo is controlled. If you don't have Form 6NIA, you are breaking the law being in possession of components and ammo.

If you want to buy components legally, you have to get an Import Certificate from DFAIT, send that to the US dealer and he submits it to State dept or Commerce dept and you wait about 2 months or so before they issue the papers.
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I didn't say it was Legal or illegal--to the contrary I was just stating what I had done in the past. Thank you for making that point clear to others who are thinking about possibly doing this. Every action may have consequences!
Agreed-- It is completely not allowed and illegal in the United States whats good for Canada Customs is not relevant when you are in the United States. I realize that when I had done this their was a significant amount of risk involved.
 
RePete - Is the Import Certificate from DFAIT specific on a per item basis (Joe Blow wants to import a barrel, a few months later he would like to import a 5000 BR Primers), or is it a Import Certificate that the holder will be able to freely 'import' these type of products from the United States Legally once the certificate was granted? If you could shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated.
Matt
 
The BATF has nothing to do with it. Controlling exports isn't their job. It's the U.S. Dept of State and the Dept of Commerce. U.S. Homeland Security enforces it. In any case, reloading equipment is fine, but not components.
"...5000 rounds of ammo..." That's one case of .22 ammo for personal use. Lots of target shooters buy ammo by the case, once they've found the brand that their pistols shoot best and will cycle the action reliably.
 
How much are you really saving in going to the states for these items is the key question! To save a couple hundred bucks and risk being never allowed into the us, or having your name on a no fly list, possibly having your car seizedan to save even a couple thousand dollars just isn't my idea of a good deal.
 
Personal experiences mean nothing. So, if someone gets pulled over for doing 80 km/h over speed limit of 60 km/h (more than double) and gets off with a verbal warning only, it means nothing to others. As it's not the rule or norm.

Go with the law. It's not the Canadian law in most cases but US export law you may be breaking. Punishment is stiff, pun is intended.

Ammo and components - that's what ammo is made from - aka - brass, shotshells, primers, powder, bullets, slugs and shot - are all controlled.

Gun parts - all gun parts over $100; all major parts as stocks, frames and barrels regardless of price; all have to be by manufacturer on DoS licensed list.

Reloading equipment (presses, powder measures, dies, books, etc) and cleaning supplies, targets, rests, safes, gun transport cases, holsters - are good to go as far as US export and Canadian import laws are.
 
mattyboylewis said:
RePete - Is the Import Certificate from DFAIT specific on a per item basis (Joe Blow wants to import a barrel, a few months later he would like to import a 5000 BR Primers), or is it a Import Certificate that the holder will be able to freely 'import' these type of products from the United States Legally once the certificate was granted? If you could shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated.
Matt
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If you want to import a number of items, components - State dept and scopes - Commerce then you 2 Import certificates.

Now 2 months later you want more comonents, then you need another certificate.
 
tharkad1 said:
Hey there!
I was curious if anyone is aware of the legalities of purchasing RELOADING equipment (dies, presses, etc, not components like powder or primers) in the States and crossing the border with them.

Is there anything that prevents doing so?
I know I can ship them across.

Also, do you need a firearms licence in the states in order to purchase or possess reloading equipment? My father in law is coming up from the states, and I wouldn't mind saving on some shipping.

Thanks for any insight!
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Since your original thread/question got derailed, I thought I'd do something novel and answer it, to back up the couple of other guys who opted to do the same.

There are no restrictions on exporting/importing reloading tools and equipment from the US into Canada. Presses, dies, shell holders, scales, calipers, etc...are all A-OK. No restrictions or paperwork required. Just have your father-in-law declare the goods at the border and pay the GST. There is no duty collected on Made In The USA equipment as per NAFTA. I hope this helps.
 
tharkad1 said:
thanks for all the help!
I think in the end, i will just shio it accross the border and save my in laws the hassle
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Your in laws would be ok but given some of the prattle posted here, I can't say I blame you :D.

Specify USPS when you ship. The couriers are NO faster but will cost a boat load more. If some dreamer posts anything different, they're wrong :D.
 
X-man said:
Since your original thread/question got derailed, I thought I'd do something novel and answer it, to back up the couple of other guys who opted to do the same.

There are no restrictions on exporting/importing reloading tools and equipment from the US into Canada. Presses, dies, shell holders, scales, calipers, etc...are all A-OK. No restrictions or paperwork required. Just have your father-in-law declare the goods at the border and pay the GST. There is no duty collected on Made In The USA equipment as per NAFTA. I hope this helps.
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Exactly....and let's not forget that bullet casting equipment is still ok as well. Moulds, handles, lead melting furnaces, etc are all ok. Gas checks are components and are NOT ok.

A year ago, I brought back a Lee press, a Lyman Promelt furnace, some mould handles, bullet lube (technically a component, but I decided to live dangerously that day :rolleyes:) a few sets of dies and some decapping pins. I declared everything, and there were no problems. Not tax either.....we were down for a week. Gotta love the $750.00 per person shopping exemption. :D
 
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