Taking 0.50 BMG rifles to USA
- Thread starter XD-40
- Start date
Terry Perkins
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bruce County
I've been using the 6NIA form for a few years, and haven't experienced any problems. As long as you present a in-effect state hunting license or a invitation to a NRA sanctioned competition, you're gonna get approved. I can't see a 50 caliber being a problem.
I stated on my application this year that I was bringing in 300 rounds. No extra questions, just an approval. Whenever I cross the border the custom agent reads the approved form, and asks a few simple questions. Stuff like "just one rifle?', or "are you competing?". Pretty painless.
Terry Perkins
I stated on my application this year that I was bringing in 300 rounds. No extra questions, just an approval. Whenever I cross the border the custom agent reads the approved form, and asks a few simple questions. Stuff like "just one rifle?', or "are you competing?". Pretty painless.
Terry Perkins
You might want to contact the BATF & the U.S. Dept. of State to see what they say about bringing your .50 Cal into the U.S.
The problems might come around when you try to bring your .50 Cal & ammo back into Canada.
The U.S. has banned exportation of any .50Cal rifles,parts, & ammunition. I am not sure if this would effect you or not, but it is better to ask ahead of time instead of finding our bad news later.
I do know that if us Canadians send a Leupold MK 4 scope to Leupold for warranty work, an Export permit is required to have your scope shipped back to you here in Canada.Even though you own the scope.
SKBY.
The problems might come around when you try to bring your .50 Cal & ammo back into Canada.
The U.S. has banned exportation of any .50Cal rifles,parts, & ammunition. I am not sure if this would effect you or not, but it is better to ask ahead of time instead of finding our bad news later.
I do know that if us Canadians send a Leupold MK 4 scope to Leupold for warranty work, an Export permit is required to have your scope shipped back to you here in Canada.Even though you own the scope.
SKBY.
Skullboy said:You might want to contact the BATF & the U.S. Dept. of State to see what they say about bringing your .50 Cal into the U.S.
The problems might come around when you try to bring your .50 Cal & ammo back into Canada.
The U.S. has banned exportation of any .50Cal rifles,parts, & ammunition. I am not sure if this would effect you or not, but it is better to ask ahead of time instead of finding our bad news later.
I do know that if us Canadians send a Leupold MK 4 scope to Leupold for warranty work, an Export permit is required to have your scope shipped back to you here in Canada.Even though you own the scope.
SKBY.
Prudent idea. However, I believe it is not considerd an actual importation because it is not permanent. In fact, if you bring your own ammunition into the US they want you to leave with any remaing quantity that you may have left.
2bad4u2 said:
IMHO, this is where the "grey" area comes into play.
As I stated above, if I send my Leupold Mark 4 scope to Leupold in Oregon for warranty or any other type of work, I have to have a U.S. export permit to have it sent back to me here in Canada because it is a controlled item.Even though I own the scope and I am not importing it to the U.S. permanently.
My interpretation is that the U.S. counts ANYTHING as leaving U.S. soil as being exported.
This is where contacting the BATF,U.S. Dept. of State, and the U.S. Dept. of Commerce would be a good idea to ensure you can legally bring in, and exit with the .50 Cal Rifle & ammunition.
The only way to feel secure is to get the info right from the controlling organisations.
SKBY.
Terry Perkins
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bruce County
This is why you fill out the 6NIA and submit it.
When returning to Canada all you need is the registration card that you got from the CFC and your PAL. Also, if they don't ask about firearms don't tell them. For example, when the Can. customs ask where you live, you give them your address, not your favourite colour or happiest day of the week. When they ask what was the purpose of my visit to the US, I state...pleasure.
Terry Perkins said:
I should have been a little clearer here.
Canada Customs isn't the problem.
The problem lies on the U.S. side if you happen to get stopped on U.S. soil by one of the roving U.S. border inspections that the U.S. has implemented.
This is where you might run into trouble bringing your .50 Cal & it's ammo out of the U.S. since the U.S. has prohibited anything to do with .50 cal BMG from being taken out of the U.S.
That is why I gave the example of Leupold MK 4 scopes.Even if you have proof of ownership of the .50 Cal, the U.S. authorities may think otherwise, and require you to have an export permit, or not even let you exit with it.
Also remember that as a Canadian in the U.S. you are classed as an "Alien" and therefore have no rights.
Rather then fill out the form and wait, I would start calling the Agencies I listed to try to get a quicker answer (have them fax it to you in writing to be safe!!!).
Come to think of it, I know Richard Near of Near Manufacturing used to compete with .50 cals in the U.S. Although I do not know if he still does since the border regulations were tightened.
Might be worth dropping him a line and see if he has had any difficulty.
SKBY.
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I beleive Cybershooter posted a letter from the State Department about importing the unimportable. I beleive in his specific case, he was asking about the temporary import on a Form 6nia of an AW during the US ban.
IIRC, there were two important issues clarified in the response from the State Department.
1) The US State Department held that the temporary presence of a firearm inside the US on a Form 6nia did not constitute importation, so the rules affecting the normal importation of firearms did not apply.
2) The State Department would still refuse to approve a Form 6nia if the firearm was subject to the NFA of 1968, as possesion inside the US would be a criminal act if the firearm was not in the registry.
If that opinion is still the rule at state, I don't think there will be a problem entering or leaving the US so long as the Form 6 nia is approved.
The thing about that letter that still has me wondering, is if it could be applied to the Norinco 305's? If they don't hold that a temporary presence in the country while on a form 6nia is an import, and if it's not otherwise illegal to possess one already in the US, it's possible they might approve it.
IIRC, there were two important issues clarified in the response from the State Department.
1) The US State Department held that the temporary presence of a firearm inside the US on a Form 6nia did not constitute importation, so the rules affecting the normal importation of firearms did not apply.
2) The State Department would still refuse to approve a Form 6nia if the firearm was subject to the NFA of 1968, as possesion inside the US would be a criminal act if the firearm was not in the registry.
If that opinion is still the rule at state, I don't think there will be a problem entering or leaving the US so long as the Form 6 nia is approved.
The thing about that letter that still has me wondering, is if it could be applied to the Norinco 305's? If they don't hold that a temporary presence in the country while on a form 6nia is an import, and if it's not otherwise illegal to possess one already in the US, it's possible they might approve it.
Don't forget to read the sign when returning to Canada that states "all firearms must be declared" or some words to that effect. After all of their questions, as you stated above, they usually give you the nod. This is where I say "I have a firearm locked up in my trunk. Their next question is typically more of a statement - You have all your paperwork, correct? I say yes, they give the nod to leave. Should you get sent to secondary, without declaring the firearm, you will spend more time than is necessary explaining yourself.Terry Perkins said:
As for the 50cal. I would think that if approved on the form6 for temporary import, there won't be a problem getting it out. Everything brought in on your form6 must leave at the conclusion of your visit.
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Terry Perkins
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bruce County
I have to pay more attention...I haven't seen that sign.
Skullboy said:
Wouldn't it be Leupold who needs the export permit, not you? Since they're the ones (re)exporting it - you are (re)importing it at this point. And I would assume they already have an export permit because they would need one to get out all the scopes they currently sell in Canada.
Terry Perkins
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bruce County
See post #12, Ted.
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Terry Perkins said:
OOPS, sorry Terry! Wasn't trying to be a jerk, just didn't read the entire thread before I posted.
I know a guy who lost three firearms when he didn't voluntarily declare them. No doubt there was more to the story, but it does happen.
Ted
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