Hi folks........ 
Although it doesn't personally affect me, I know there's a diversity of collector interests here on CGN, so I thought I'd post this thread about a recent U.S. Government ruling that could impact Steyr-Mannlicher collectors who might think about importing old milsurps from the U.S.
Someone in Canada bought a 1956 Steyr-Mannlicher carbine from a seller in the U.S. and wanted to import it to Canada. They had their U.S. FFL dealer apply for the standard export certificate to permit it to leave the U.S. The application was rejected and permanently denied with no recourse available.
Here's what State Department issued on the denial:
“It is the policy of the United States to deny all munitions export licenses applications for commodities originating from Steyr-Mannlicher Gmbh (Austria) and any successor, sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof (Public Notice 5257, Federal Register – December 30, 2005).”
So, in English, if you ever look at buying a Steyr-Mannlicher rifle that you see in the U.S., the State Department will not approve export permits for any products from this company (or any subsidiary, new entity, etc. originating from the original Mannlicher (Austria), etc.).
I have no idea what they did to antagonize the U.S. and I doubt that a 1956 carbine is a terrorist threat, but possibly they were selling their modern equipment to the wrong folks. If anyone knows why, I'd certainly be interested in hearing the story.
It's too bad and this could be a trend in the challenges of importing old milsurps (and parts) from the U.S. The shortage of quality collector material in Canada is growing and I've found that with few exceptions, the really interesting pieces need to be purchased from outside of Canada and imported. I've imported from Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, the UK and of course, the U.S. Ironically, the closest and supposedly our greatest ally poses the most challenges to import from. It's not Canadian Customs or our Department of Import/Export that's the issue, but rather the U.S. State Department's increasing export restrictions.
By the way, a plug for one of CGN's supporting dealers. Questar in Barrie, Ontario (click here)http://www.questar.ca/ provide complete "cradle to grave" importation services from the U.S. You simply buy the firearm, send them the seller's information and they provide the seller with their FFL dealer licensing information and instructions on where to ship the firearm after you've paid for it. They do the U.S. State Department application, the Canadian Import Certificate application, the CFC ownership transfer and ship the imported firearm directly to your doorstep. Mark at Questar provides outstanding service and maintains a high level of communications with you during the entire process, to ensure you know exactly what's the status of your firearm and where it is. I'd highly recommend them if you're thinking about buying any firearm from the U.S.
Regards,
Badger
Although it doesn't personally affect me, I know there's a diversity of collector interests here on CGN, so I thought I'd post this thread about a recent U.S. Government ruling that could impact Steyr-Mannlicher collectors who might think about importing old milsurps from the U.S.
Someone in Canada bought a 1956 Steyr-Mannlicher carbine from a seller in the U.S. and wanted to import it to Canada. They had their U.S. FFL dealer apply for the standard export certificate to permit it to leave the U.S. The application was rejected and permanently denied with no recourse available.
Here's what State Department issued on the denial:
“It is the policy of the United States to deny all munitions export licenses applications for commodities originating from Steyr-Mannlicher Gmbh (Austria) and any successor, sub-unit, or subsidiary thereof (Public Notice 5257, Federal Register – December 30, 2005).”
So, in English, if you ever look at buying a Steyr-Mannlicher rifle that you see in the U.S., the State Department will not approve export permits for any products from this company (or any subsidiary, new entity, etc. originating from the original Mannlicher (Austria), etc.).
I have no idea what they did to antagonize the U.S. and I doubt that a 1956 carbine is a terrorist threat, but possibly they were selling their modern equipment to the wrong folks. If anyone knows why, I'd certainly be interested in hearing the story.
It's too bad and this could be a trend in the challenges of importing old milsurps (and parts) from the U.S. The shortage of quality collector material in Canada is growing and I've found that with few exceptions, the really interesting pieces need to be purchased from outside of Canada and imported. I've imported from Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, the UK and of course, the U.S. Ironically, the closest and supposedly our greatest ally poses the most challenges to import from. It's not Canadian Customs or our Department of Import/Export that's the issue, but rather the U.S. State Department's increasing export restrictions.
By the way, a plug for one of CGN's supporting dealers. Questar in Barrie, Ontario (click here)http://www.questar.ca/ provide complete "cradle to grave" importation services from the U.S. You simply buy the firearm, send them the seller's information and they provide the seller with their FFL dealer licensing information and instructions on where to ship the firearm after you've paid for it. They do the U.S. State Department application, the Canadian Import Certificate application, the CFC ownership transfer and ship the imported firearm directly to your doorstep. Mark at Questar provides outstanding service and maintains a high level of communications with you during the entire process, to ensure you know exactly what's the status of your firearm and where it is. I'd highly recommend them if you're thinking about buying any firearm from the U.S.
Regards,
Badger
