Any experience importing from Canada as a C&R?

Hello all,

I am in the process of trying to import a few firearms from Canada. I have not yet purchased them, but the seller is holding them for me until I figure I few things out. I am a C&R holder and I have confirmed with the BATF that I am eligible to fill out a Form 6 for importing a sporting arm. Based on my research, the rifle could be shipped directly from the seller in Canada (a gun shop) to me in the US as long as the Form 6 is approved and appropriate information is in the shipping slip. The rifle is considered "non restricted" in Canada, and thus does not need export approval if being sent to the US. It is also obviously C&R eligible.

According to my conversation with the BATF, I would NOT need to import mark the firearm. If I go through an import service, they will most likely have to import mark the rifle (as is the requirement for 08 FFLs). I, for obvious reasons, would prefer to not have the rifle import marked.

Does anyone know of a company in Canada that could take possession of the rifle and export to me directly? The current owner of the rifle does not want to export to me directly, which I understand (the laws are complicated and he has a business to run).

I also do not want to break any laws, but feel that I have done my due-diligence. If there is something I'm missing, please let me know.

You can not import military surplus firearms. Need licensed importer for that and no getting around import marking. Sporting firearm older than 50 years you can and don't need import mark. Canada is a pain. No airlines will transport firearms. I can tell you how to get around that PM me.

someone found out Canada is flush with Russian SKS and SVT40's

Winchester 1895 actually. Wish there was a way to get the SVTs in...

I wonder if Joe Salter could work things out? He has his foot in both countries and deals in both. He buys in Canada and sells in the USA legally, things that can't be had here. Maybe a message to him... Antique Handguns/Pistols Firearms For Sale | Down East Antiques

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

I wonder if Joe Salter could work things out? He has his foot in both countries and deals in both. He buys in Canada and sells in the USA legally, things that can't be had here. Maybe a message to him... Antique Handguns/Pistols Firearms For Sale | Down East Antiques

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i would think with the time ,paper work , fees , the cost of the weapon , then add Joe Salter profit it would drive the price into ridiculous status ,ive purchased from JS , you pay a premium on everything you purchase from them , they are great to deal with , you get what you pay for , they give honest and accurate description , but sometimes i think their price is as much as 25% over

i seem to remember when i learned about the SVT40 situation up north maybe 10 , maybe15 years ago (i cant recall exactly) i looked into trying to get a pair to the states , i was curious if the fact that i have dual citizenship with Canada and US if that would make things easier , i cant really recall the particulars of the results of what i found out ,but i do remember that i was so disgusted , and deflated that i never even considered continuing the effort any further , and i desperately wanted a pair of SVT40's to rectify a lapse in judgement from years before when i sold a pair

Contact Joel at Borderview in Washington state. He can do it properly and works with a shop on the Canadian side.

There's been a ban on Chicom and Russian military surplus weapons in place here in the USA for many years. Same with surplus barrels which has been in place since 2005. It was to curb MG barrels mainly but unfortunately, bolt action milsurp barrels are also covered.

I'm also a Canadian born, US citizen and it has no bearing on anything. My trusted exporter in Ontario is done because of the hassles of getting air freight shipments and I gave up my ITAR registration a few years ago so no longer broker import/export. I can still do my own wares via the Dept. of Commerce.

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

Contact Joel at Borderview in Washington state. He can do it properly and works with a shop on the Canadian side.

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I've looked into Borderview and it's a bit expensive. I know it's not "cheap" to import, but sometimes it seems more affordable to get a rifle from abroad then through the US market. The rifle in question is well-priced, but Borderview's process would be $400+ at minimum to bring something in, which would seriously detract from any savings that might be had. It's frustrating because realistically, if I could get Form 6 approval, he could just send the rifle to me directly via ground shipping. I understand the hesitancy - it's a quagmire of legal parameters for international shipping of arms.

Non restricted rifles can be sent to the US without export approval in Canada. It's non military, so my C&R will cover it just fine. I spoke with a rep at the BATF and he seems to think it would be approved for import based on my description. If I could find someone in Canada (ideally an export service) who would be willing to hold on to it and ship it, then the cost would likely be much more manageable. Plus, if the rifle does not enter the country through an 08 FFL, then it does not need to be import stamped if going into my personal collection (confirmed this with BATF as well).

I'll reach out to Borderview all the same to see if they'd be interested in shipping to me directly from Canada. And maybe to Joe Salter. If I can't find a more affordable way, I'll just pass on the rifle.

Thanks all for the wisdom. And it's a real shame about the SVTs. They made millions of them and now they're nearly as expensive as a G43. I've heard if they are proven to have been in Canada for 5 years or more, there may be an exception. But I think the ATF will just deny without great cause.

yea , that was a pipe dream i wish i never traveled , it was so deflating , now with their crazy gun madness up there i wonder if they will ll be destroyed

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Originally Posted by micmacman

now with their crazy gun madness up there i wonder if they will ll be destroyed

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That IS their intention for the long run.

I don't think common carriers like UPS or FedEx will ship directly, (they certainly won't send firearms cross border from the USA and never did). Sending firearms via Canada Post cross border is no longer allowed either as far as I know but I could be wrong. My importing from Canada pretty much came to an end in 2007 after a lucrative ten-year run. Money exchange and pricing made importing nice firearms for resale no longer cost effective. I met Joel from Borderview in 2010 at an Import/Export conference in Washington, DC when he was just starting his business. Since he specializes only in Canada-USA shipments and has all of the proper contacts in place, his company is where I've sent all of my clients from the past since I gave up brokering in 2019. I've heard nothing but good things and well, $400 is cheap at half the price in my humble opinion. Looking for cheap deals cross border just isn't realistic anymore. I was lucky and drove for my Canada shipments when the getting was good, clearing them face to face with CBP in Port Huron, Michigan. I made four trips one year but normally at least two or three a year for ten years and had a great working relationship with dealers and regulators alike on both sides of the border. I still have a valid PAL and will continue to renew it. When the USD was $1.65 CDN, it helped cover a good chunk of the overhead cost of importing. The past few years importing directly from the UK has become increasingly painful and there are only a couple of airlines that will carry firearms from there now. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have become nearly impossible, mostly because of red tape and a lack of air freight carriers. Too be honest, it got to a point where I dreaded those jobs. Anyhow, it's 2023 now and the real world strikes. I've heard some recent stories of problems with approvals on ATF F6 permits regarding firearms that I imported legally before so I'm guessing politics has something to do with it and not common sense or existing law. It's best to leave this work to those in the know in the fast changing atmosphere and pay the price. I'm glad to be out of it. Now I'm scaling back the repair shop and will concentrate on my website and retail shop. I have tons of items to sell. Best of luck.

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

I don't think common carriers like UPS or FedEx will ship directly, (they certainly won't send firearms cross border from the USA and never did). Sending firearms via Canada Post cross border is no longer allowed either as far as I know but I could be wrong. My importing from Canada pretty much came to an end in 2007 after a lucrative ten-year run. Money exchange and pricing made importing nice firearms for resale no longer cost effective. I met Joel from Borderview in 2010 at an Import/Export conference in Washington, DC when he was just starting his business. Since he specializes only in Canada-USA shipments and has all of the proper contacts in place, his company is where I've sent all of my clients from the past since I gave up brokering in 2019. I've heard nothing but good things and well, $400 is cheap at half the price in my humble opinion. Looking for cheap deals cross border just isn't realistic anymore. I was lucky and drove for my Canada shipments when the getting was good, clearing them face to face with CBP in Port Huron, Michigan. I made four trips one year but normally at least two or three a year for ten years and had a great working relationship with dealers and regulators alike on both sides of the border. I still have a valid PAL and will continue to renew it. When the USD was $1.65 CDN, it helped cover a good chunk of the overhead cost of importing. The past few years importing directly from the UK has become increasingly painful and there are only a couple of airlines that will carry firearms from there now. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have become nearly impossible, mostly because of red tape and a lack of air freight carriers. Too be honest, it got to a point where I dreaded those jobs. Anyhow, it's 2023 now and the real world strikes. I've heard some recent stories of problems with approvals on ATF F6 permits regarding firearms that I imported legally before so I'm guessing politics has something to do with it and not common sense or existing law. It's best to leave this work to those in the know in the fast changing atmosphere and pay the price. I'm glad to be out of it. Now I'm scaling back the repair shop and will concentrate on my website and retail shop. I have tons of items to sell. Best of luck.

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Thanks for the thorough response. I meant no disrespect in regards to Borderviews export price, I was just trying to save a few bucks since it seems that I could import with my C&R. I've spoken to some BATF agents a few times in the past week and they have been helpful. Without explicitly saying "yes" they were encouraging that my Form 6 could be approved for this particular rifle. I recognize now the logistical nightmare is really finding someone to ship the rifle and help clear CBP. I live close enough to Canada (maybe 7 hours from Ontario) that it could maybe be worth getting my PAL some day - but until then I'll have to likely rely on established exporters.

The rifle in question is not a beauty queen - just something a little uncommon down here (1895 Winchester in 303 Brit) that is priced affordably. At this point, I may just pass on it since this has been such a hassle. Good luck on those sales, Brian - I hope you can take a well-earned break from the repairs.

You would think Canada, with its current anti-gun government, would love to make it easy to remove guns from their country.....I've been in Utah the past week and what a refreshing change from my home-state of California. If I wasn't going home this weekend to help someone prepare a milsurp dealer's personal collection for sale, I probably would have looked for a couple of additions for my collection.

I have to warn you from experience that asking BATF&E compliance and enforcement folks about imports may get you a different answer from everyone you ask. If you have serious questions about imports, contact Imports Branch in Martinsburg, WV and you will get accurate answers. I've stood compliance inspections here every five years since 1995 and the inspectors aren't very knowledgeable on the ins and outs of importing. I've been fortunate to work with many of the examiners at Imports Branch including the top Industry Liaison there. She is very good people but may be retired now. When I imported all of Steve Houghton's AI sniper rifles a few years ago, I actually got a call from the VP of AI USA asking how did I manage to pull it off! Apparently, they were getting disapprovals because they didn't know the fine points or who to go to for advice at the agency. I got a kick out of that call but it makes me feel either blessed or old. Not sure which!

I'll still be accepting repairs here at my discretion. It would be a shame to let my barrel vice from the RSAF rust up! When I acquired it and the plasma cut body wrench many years ago, I wasn't sure how great they'd be after struggling with Brownells tools for years. I haven't had one defeat me yet. I just wish I could find a supply of bolt heads as it's a struggle to keep a supply of longer ones anymore. The sad part is that so many folks upgrade headspace in their rifles because of using the wrong gauges and it's dried up the supply of longer ones so that the guys that really need one can't find them.

---------- Post added at 04:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:52 PM ----------

You make the mistake of thinking there's common sense anymore!

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Originally Posted by Singer B

You would think Canada, with its current anti-gun government, would love to make it easy to remove guns from their country

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The only way they want them gone is if they go smelted. They really aren't interested in allowing you to get your money out of them.

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Originally Posted by Brian Dick

I don't think common carriers like UPS or FedEx will ship directly, (they certainly won't send firearms cross border from the USA and never did). Sending firearms via Canada Post cross border is no longer allowed either as far as I know but I could be wrong. My importing from Canada pretty much came to an end in 2007 after a lucrative ten-year run. Money exchange and pricing made importing nice firearms for resale no longer cost effective. I met Joel from Borderview in 2010 at an Import/Export conference in Washington, DC when he was just starting his business. Since he specializes only in Canada-USA shipments and has all of the proper contacts in place, his company is where I've sent all of my clients from the past since I gave up brokering in 2019. I've heard nothing but good things and well, $400 is cheap at half the price in my humble opinion. Looking for cheap deals cross border just isn't realistic anymore. I was lucky and drove for my Canada shipments when the getting was good, clearing them face to face with CBP in Port Huron, Michigan. I made four trips one year but normally at least two or three a year for ten years and had a great working relationship with dealers and regulators alike on both sides of the border. I still have a valid PAL and will continue to renew it. When the USD was $1.65 CDN, it helped cover a good chunk of the overhead cost of importing. The past few years importing directly from the UK has become increasingly painful and there are only a couple of airlines that will carry firearms from there now. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have become nearly impossible, mostly because of red tape and a lack of air freight carriers. Too be honest, it got to a point where I dreaded those jobs. Anyhow, it's 2023 now and the real world strikes. I've heard some recent stories of problems with approvals on ATF F6 permits regarding firearms that I imported legally before so I'm guessing politics has something to do with it and not common sense or existing law. It's best to leave this work to those in the know in the fast changing atmosphere and pay the price. I'm glad to be out of it. Now I'm scaling back the repair shop and will concentrate on my website and retail shop. I have tons of items to sell. Best of luck.

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There are no airlines that will transport firearms from Canada. However trucking is just as easy. My last permits from Finland were approved in 3 days. There are less flights coming from Europe and prices are up. However I just imported 8 Rifles from Germany and 16 handguns and 16 rifles from Finland that went relatively smooth. Took 4 months all total for both imports.


For the record $400 for a single firearm is a great price. I need to import 8 or more to get the costs to around $300 each.

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Originally Posted by browningautorifle

The only way they want them gone is if they go smelted. They really aren't interested in allowing you to get your money out of them.

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Well said!

Thanks for all the replies. It's a shame that importing is becoming so prohibitively expensive. I'd honestly be interested in getting my 08 FFL and learning the trade in some way if there was someone to show me the ropes. I would imagine the easiest way import from Canada would be to get a PAL and just drive up there after getting Form 6 approval. With all the overhead associated, I'm not sure how long it would take to even break even - though how many of us are really into collecting to "break even". Fortunately, the rifle I'm interested in up there isn't the most alluring in the world and I can tune out her charm by dreaming about PSAs STG44 l... if they ever get made.


I should clarify that the price starts at $400, not including shipping and tariffs. An additional $50 is added for military arms. So maybe $550 for a sporting rifle and $600 for a military arm, depending on total value in USD for a $1000 rifle Maybe worth it for some rare Canadian sniper or something, but hardly seems worth it for a Winchester 1895 with a pretty worn bore. I'd honestly prefer one in the SRC configuration anyway- and that WOULD be a military arm for the ATF, even if it was never used as such in 303 British.

Brian, I'll take your word on it that it probably isn't worth it... Unless the ATF started letting SVTs in, of course. If you'd like to share any wisdom on becoming an importer, I would be interested. Feel free to send me a PM.

Just getting the 08 FFL doesn't allow you to import. You must also register under AECA at $250 a year before you can do imports. You must also have an import broker, even if clearing shipments personally upon entry. I have two. One for airfreight into Atlanta and the other for face-to-face entries at Port Huron, MI. CBP will not deal directly with you as a licensed importer. I also have great freight forwarders. One in Boston and I've worked with a couple of fine forwarders in the UK who I can't speak highly enough about. I also have accounts with Dept of Commerce, Customs and Border Protection and Department of the Census. If you want to get licensed to import so you can enhance your own collection, I wouldn't bother. If you're serious about offering a brokering service or importing for commercial resale, you must dedicate all of your time, have competent help and legal counsel, marking equipment and be prepared to be inspected much more frequently than a regular 01 FFL or even 02 Pawnbroker. You will have to be an ITAR registrant with Dept of State in order to broker which will cost $2000+ a year or more depending on your volume. Many have your same attitude about costs. You will be amazed how much money you collect and then shell out with very little left over for your time and effort. Much like everything else, these things are being slowly designed so that the little guys like me are out and the only survivors are big outfits with tons of money to fall back on.

The ban on Russian C&R military import/export has been in place since the Obama administration. I wouldn't hold my breath about it ever changing considering the current political climate and state of affairs with Russia. The five-year attestation letter from a different country of ownership makes no difference.

Sounds like a nightmare. Thanks for laying all that out. While I'd love to get into something like that, I simply do not have the time that I would surely need to dedicate right now. It's unfortunate because shady businesses like RTI are going to continue to scoop up massive amounts of imports and dictate the price for shoddy milsurps for the foreseeable future. If I can find a way to make the money work, I might consider it some day. But if things keep going in the direction they are, it may never be worth it..

I'll just stay in my lane for now and focus on finding treasures within the US.