Requirement for RCMP Letter

since i can't attach the pdf here is a text version.
you can omit the "value" line or any you don't think you need.
please remember that where antique pistols are concerned in Canada, and to loosely quote Falstaff "The better part of valour, is discretion"

DECLARATION OF COMPLIANCE

This package contains antique firearms manufactured prior to 1898 and are chambered for cartridges which are considered obsolete and in compliance with Canadian Regulations Prescribing Antique Firearms:
1. The firearms listed in the schedule are antique firearms for the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition “antique firearm” in subsection 84(1) of the Criminal Code.
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.

To wit:

These antique firearms are also compliant with United States law, GCA of 1968, Title 18 USC Chapter 44 SS921 (16) "Antique Firearms" and may be bought, sold, and shipped with no regulations as per the U.S. Laws.

Specifically, this package contains:
Qty:
Make/Model:
Age:
Caliber:
Serial #:
Buyer:
Seller:
Value:
Signature:
Date_______/_______/_________
Click to expand...
 
BrotherRockeye said:
I found that once I started including the compliance letter that I crafted citing both Canadian and US laws that I never had a delay at customs.
The form was signed and dated by the seller and included all pertinent info including year/caliber etc.
I only once bothered with an antique letter for import and only to document the sale from a first time private US seller.
I don't believe in subscribing to the Mountie's backdoor registry any more than I have to.
I did have one fella include a hand written letter stating that 44-40 would not chamber though :p
Click to expand...

Good to know...
 
I will add as an afterthought...
that compliance declaration is by no means a substitute for due diligence.
One should always thoroughly research what they are buying.
A seller could quite easily, knowingly or not, misrepresent an iron only to make the sale, leaving you with little recourse once the iron is in your hands.
I doubt that returning an unregistered restricted or prohib to the US through the mail would go over any better than having it in your possession.
A prime example from earlier this evening...and what prompted me to post this...
A seller had listed an "antique" revolver. It was clearly stamped 44wcf on the left side in the pictures, meaning it doesn't qualify as an antique in Canada, as 44wcf (.44 Winchester center fire) is 44-40Winchester, a "no-go" caliber.
The seller was unaware of this until I PM'd him.
That particular style of S&W DA revolver was routinely copied in the original 44Russian chambering but was later chambered in the more popular 44wcf and dubbed a "frontier" model.
Had it not been stamped 44wcf, or had an equally unaware buyer purchased the revolver, they would then be in possession of an unregistered restricted.
If you do plan to import...
Know which makes and models are usually chambered in acceptable calibers.
Know what production years are acceptable in those makes/models.
Do not hesitate to have chambers and bores measured, or different cartridges tried in an old iron prior to buying it.
Remember, US antique laws differ from ours!
Not everyone selling these old relics is an expert, and for that matter neither am I. EXACTLY why I always did my research and passed if something didn't add up.
The last thing you want is to have your hard earned cash gone and your purchase seized at customs. Not to mention the prospect of charges for "trying to smuggle a restricted firearm into Canada"
As always, it's BUYER BEWARE!
That said,
there is a level of security in buying off the EE. Yes the prices are generally higher, but that price includes many things that the StateSide irons don't.
Someone else has already done the due diligence and assumed the risk of importing that iron.
99.9% of the time that iron will BE an antique in Canada.
There is a very good chance it has been given a once over for function.
Quite a few of the irons that hit the EE have been imported, enjoyed, and are being passed on at a modest profit in order to acquire the next one.
If you are unhappy with your purchase you have a far better chance of getting satisfaction from someone in Canada than another country.
Weight the costs and choose accordingly.

my humble opinion only...ymmv
 
Had asked the question on a US based forum as well. No real answer provided there less "just get the letter" and "what's the big deal" etc etc. Having goggle-fu'd this topic even more, here is what I found...

According to FATD Canada (ht tp://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/firearms_armes_a_feu/other-autres/faq.aspx?lang=eng)

Q1. I want to buy a firearm from the US and have it sent to me in Canada.

A1. Any holder of a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) may import a restricted or non-restricted firearm, depending on the limitations of their PAL. However, the US control the export of most firearms (antiques and muzzle-loaders are not controlled for export) and the US must issue an export licence to the American exporter. Prior to issuing this licence the US government requires that the Canadian importer present a document from Canada allowing this proposed transaction. To satisfy that US requirement Canadian residents may apply for an International Import Certificate (IIC).

It appears that from the US sources further back this in stating:

22 CFR 123.17 - Exports of firearms, ammunition, and personal protective gear.

(b) Port Directors of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall permit the export without a license of nonautomatic firearms covered by Category I(a) of § 121.1 of this subchapter if they were manufactured in or before 1898, or are replicas of such firearms. .

United States law (specifically the “ITAR” – International Traffic in Arms Regulations”) allows for the export without an export license of firearms (rifles and pistols) that were manufactured before January of 1899, or replicas of such firearms.
 
Last edited:
United States law, GCA of 1968, Title 18 USC Chapter 44 SS921 (16) seems to only identify/define "antique" I was looking for where it says they can be "bought, sold, and shipped with no regulations"

Maybe I missed it in the legalese of the that ref but I could not find any specific reference speaking to export requirements (or lack thereof) of antique firearms. These seem to be clarified in the ITAR
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom