Good day. Would someone with the experience let me know if there are any issues with importing from the U.S. an antique (1888) Winchester 22 L to Canada. Being an antique can it be shipped directly to me from the U.S. as the seller suggests or should I use an importer/exporter (if so who have you successfully used). Thanks in advance for any information.
U.S. Shipping
- Thread starter spencers
- Start date
22 long isn’t considered antique in Canada. You need an importer anyway.
U.S. classed as antique.
U.S. classed as antique.
KotKotofeich
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa Valley
Not an antique in Canada so this becomes weird. No need for a US export permit, but import to Canada is controlled.
You don't need an importer - you can get an IIC from Foreign Affairs yourself - free on EXCOL. If you have questions about using EXCOL, you can PM me and I'll help out. You can also self broker the shipment - free but can be a pain depending on where you are and how far the customs office you will have to deal with is from you.
Shipping it is the complicated part. USPS is iffy on shipping even antiques - they sometimes get bounced back to sender when the boxes get scanned, but should they take it and deliver to Canadian customs it will be ok from there. Fedex will carry firearms internationally but only between licensed firearms businesses.
Compare to an established importer charging you for all this - you'll be something like 300-400 out of pocket (shipping to importer + importer fee + shipping to you). If saving this is what you are after (and gaining some knowledge of canadian bureaucracy) then you can do it
I would recommend Prophet River over IRunGuns if you do choose to go with one for lower fees and less BS.
You don't need an importer - you can get an IIC from Foreign Affairs yourself - free on EXCOL. If you have questions about using EXCOL, you can PM me and I'll help out. You can also self broker the shipment - free but can be a pain depending on where you are and how far the customs office you will have to deal with is from you.
Shipping it is the complicated part. USPS is iffy on shipping even antiques - they sometimes get bounced back to sender when the boxes get scanned, but should they take it and deliver to Canadian customs it will be ok from there. Fedex will carry firearms internationally but only between licensed firearms businesses.
Compare to an established importer charging you for all this - you'll be something like 300-400 out of pocket (shipping to importer + importer fee + shipping to you). If saving this is what you are after (and gaining some knowledge of canadian bureaucracy) then you can do it
I would recommend Prophet River over IRunGuns if you do choose to go with one for lower fees and less BS.
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US antique definitions have absolutely nothing to do with Canadian definitions. An original 1873 Winchester in 44/40 is not an antique in Canada being centerfire and ammunition being currently produced. Different south of the border.
freemanriveradventures
Member
- Location
- Fort Assiniboine AB
Guns chambered in .22s .22l .22lr are not antique status in Canada no matter how old it is. Prophet River has imported many rifles for me and have provided me with good service. In Oct they charged me $250 to import. $30 for shipping. plus GST on the original purchase price and for the importing. By self clearing you will be saving about $300. For your reference here are the requirements for antique status in Canada.
The Criminal Code defines an antique firearm as either:
(a) any firearm manufactured before 1898 that was not designed to discharge rim-fire or centre-fire ammunition and that has not been redesigned to discharge such ammunition, or
(b) any firearm that is prescribed to be an antique firearm
Rifles manufactured before 1898 with the following characteristics:
able to discharge only rim-fire cartridges, other than:
.22 Calibre Short
.22 Calibre Long
.22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges
able to discharge centre-fire cartridges (whether with a smooth or rifled bore), have a bore diameter of 8.3 mm or greater, measured from land to land in the case of a rifled bore, with the exception of a repeating firearm fed by any type of cartridge magazine
Handguns manufactured before 1898 with the following characteristics:
able to discharge only rim-fire cartridges, other than:
.22 Calibre Short
.22 Calibre Long
.22 Calibre Long Rifle
able to discharge 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
.45 Colt cartridges
As you can see, contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with currently produced ammunition. There are many calibers not on the nogo caliber list that are currently manufactured. I hope this helps.
The Criminal Code defines an antique firearm as either:
(a) any firearm manufactured before 1898 that was not designed to discharge rim-fire or centre-fire ammunition and that has not been redesigned to discharge such ammunition, or
(b) any firearm that is prescribed to be an antique firearm
Rifles manufactured before 1898 with the following characteristics:
able to discharge only rim-fire cartridges, other than:
.22 Calibre Short
.22 Calibre Long
.22 Calibre Long Rifle cartridges
able to discharge centre-fire cartridges (whether with a smooth or rifled bore), have a bore diameter of 8.3 mm or greater, measured from land to land in the case of a rifled bore, with the exception of a repeating firearm fed by any type of cartridge magazine
Handguns manufactured before 1898 with the following characteristics:
able to discharge only rim-fire cartridges, other than:
.22 Calibre Short
.22 Calibre Long
.22 Calibre Long Rifle
able to discharge 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
.45 Colt cartridges
As you can see, contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with currently produced ammunition. There are many calibers not on the nogo caliber list that are currently manufactured. I hope this helps.
