International shipping of milsurps

[RangeRover]

Maybe a bit OT, but hopefully not too, too far, but I'm looking for input from Canadian collectors who have purchased or sold milsurps internationally - not from the U.S. to Canada, but to/from further abroad.

While I'm getting familiar with export permit requirements, etc. I am curious about the best/safest option, if there are a number of options, of shipping a firearm offshore. Am I constrained to Canada Post? The thought of putting a rare or high-value firearm onto a slow boat to somewhere via the post office is a bit disconcerting, perhaps only because I've not done it before. What other options are available or advised?

Any advice/experiences welcomed. Thanks.

Information

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[Promo]

With imports from the US to Europe I've made the best experiences with FedEx. Fastest way of shipping. But need to say that I never had anything lost with US Postal Service aswell, they once only missent something to Australia instead of Austria - took the box 3 more weeks to arrive

[muffett.2008]

Well I reckon if it found it's way to Australia instead of Austria, then that's where it wanted to be.
It is getting more difficult every day to send or purchase Milsurp items from other countries, it is almost as if they wanted to close us down.

[RangeRover]

Thanks for the help thus far. Interestingly, Promo, FedEx told me they will not transport a firearm internationally - none of the other major courier companies will either. Based on my lack of success thus far, it appears this is relatively specialized support. I am following a couple of leads, but if anyone has any other suggestions for how I can export a non-restricted rifle from Canada overseas (not to the U.S.) I'd love to hear it.

[Badger]

I used the standard postal service (with tracking) and have brought pieces in from Switzerland without any problems. I applied for an import permit and then sent it to the seller, who included it in the package. I had no problems and customs did inspect and release the item. I did this twice...

Regards,
Doug

[RangeRover]

Hmm...interesting Doug. It's much harder, it seems, to get firearms out of Canada to other countries. Here's what the Canadian Firearms Centre has to say on the matter (my emphasis added).

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Exporting firearms to another country

A firearm cannot be shipped to another country by Canada Post. Instead, a carrier company licensed to transport firearms under the Firearms Act must be used.

[Badger]

Hmm...interesting Doug. It's much harder, it seems, to get firearms out of Canada to other countries. Here's what the Canadian Firearms Centre has to say on the matter (my emphasis added).

----
Exporting firearms to another country

A firearm cannot be shipped to another country by Canada Post. Instead, a carrier company licensed to transport firearms under the Firearms Act must be used.

Yes, I was aware of that and as a Firearms Verifier, I contacted the RCMP and told them this. They said that the export can use the standard postal method, but they recommended that for postal purposes, the package be labeled as something other than a firearm. I just shipped via Canada Post (expedited with tracking and signature) a rifle to Europe. I took it to the local Shoppers Drug Mart postal desk labeled as "sporting goods) and they took it without any inspection, challenges or problems.

Regards,
Doug

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Just as a precaution, after you've made out all the paperwork and found the right routing, firmly insist the shipper lay the rifle on a piece of lumber, then wrap it all in bubble wrap or corrugated cardboard. You will have no excuse and little recourse if it arrives at the far end with a broken stock. In my experience, plastic hard-sided cases are not rigid enough nor are simple cardoard boxes.

[Badger]

Just as a precaution, after you've made out all the paperwork and found the right routing, firmly insist the shipper lay the rifle on a piece of lumber, then wrap it all in bubble wrap or corrugated cardboard. You will have no excuse and little recourse if it arrives at the far end with a broken stock. In my experience, plastic hard-sided cases are not rigid enough nor are simple cardoard boxes.

A very good idea and suggestion...

Regards,
Doug