Any experience importing from Canada as a C&R?

[Agambard1990]

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.

Information

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[capt14k]

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.

[micmacman]

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

[Agambard1990]

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

[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

[micmacman]

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

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

[micmacman]

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

[Brian Dick]

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

[Brian Dick]

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.

[Agambard1990]

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

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.