Canadian Customs

[horto]

Ahh, nothing like Canadian Customs and import discussions in the noob tank. So refreshing.

what venture said

also, let me give you a hint... there's a memorandum newer than that 2009 document that makes things less grey.

[chaz]

Originally Posted by horto

Ahh, nothing like Canadian Customs and import discussions in the noob tank. So refreshing.

Nice sarcasm.

[FirestormX]

On the topic of importing upgraded guns, there was a thread in the AoM discussion forum (link here if you're AVed: http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=145051) where this was said:

Originally Posted by COL.TIKER

I'm not sure if that [importing upgraded guns] actually works. I was told via phone by a CBSA agent that they only go by the FPS they find in physical or online manuals for the gun, not whatever the retailer claims the FPS to be. I asked if they can chrono the gun to verify that it is over 366FPS instead of whatever the manual says, and his reply was "sure, if you want it to wait in a line up for the next 2 years"

[Drake]

Yes. Exactly that.

You CAN import an upgraded gun, and it WILL get through; but there's a good chance it will get seized and will have to get sent for ballistic testing and it may be many many months before it ever gets back to you. 18 months is not an unrealistic delay.

There's a reason why there are still Canadian retailers.

[Ayashifx55]

It states clearly on ehobby asia website that they will not ship silencers to canadians. If you ordered a silencer, they will not process that item's order and will refund you accordingly.

[Curo]

I don't always buy airsoft guns, but when I do I order from Canada.

[The Chad]

I have ordered out of country once and it was bullshit. I payed $80 for the part, $107 something after taxes and shipping, then $21 something for duties. Never again. I would rather pester local retailers to source the parts I need than to do that again. Buy local means better local IMO.

[Matula]

That's why you should check if they are shipping with UPS or thief company...
And when you paying 80 $ it should be duties on 80 $ not 107....

Originally Posted by The Chad

I have ordered out of country once and it was bullshit. I payed $80 for the part, $107 something after taxes and shipping, then $21 something for duties. Never again. I would rather pester local retailers to source the parts I need than to do that again. Buy local means better local IMO.

[Nathan_9_9]

ya, the site said they don''t import silencers to Canada but the e mail they sent me said "Generally, we would not take some of the items out of the package unless customer’s request You can leave some of your statement of request when you place an order next time and we will try our best to satisfy and match your needs"
So yeah, so can anyone confirm is it illigal to import silencers for airsoft guns.

[JerryMcGoulBerry]

I ordered a silencer off eBay once. Later I found out that they won't pass. Just like you. So I bought one at bent barrel. A couple weeks later, I got it in the mail. I was really surprised. So it is possible to get passed. I can't really tell you how likely, but it can happen. Now I have 2 silencers. Since I bought it for so cheap I can sell it for a lot more.

[RaisinBran]

Originally Posted by JerryMcGoulBerry

I ordered a silencer off eBay once. Later I found out that they won't pass. Just like you. So I bought one at bent barrel. A couple weeks later, I got it in the mail. I was really surprised. So it is possible to get passed. I can't really tell you how likely, but it can happen. Now I have 2 silencers. Since I bought it for so cheap I can sell it for a lot more.

Now we know not to buy anything from you.

[THe_Silencer]

Originally Posted by Ayashifx55

It states clearly on ehobby asia website that they will not ship silencers to canadians. If you ordered a silencer, they will not process that item's order and will refund you accordingly.

Really? Have they actually refused to sell you the silencer? I never had issue buying silencers from them.

[Antikythera]

Originally Posted by THe_Silencer

Really? Have they actually refused to sell you the silencer? I never had issue buying silencers from them.

Could it be because you are THE Silencer.

[Reignman]

Originally Posted by L473ncy

Add in shipping, brokerage, and duties and it's not such a great deal it can easily go up to $250-260 for it FOB destination. Also there's the whole thing with wait times.

For any other rare/hard to find gun it would be a deal to go outside the country but for that gun not really TBH.

The way I see it is that he's saving approx 40-50$ by your calculation. I'd rather have that 50$ in my pocket too.

[volteco]

Greetings everyone!

This is my first post on this forum and I wanted to introduce myself and share my experience purchasing over the border.

Before I go any further, I want to make some clarifications. I am not 14 year old, I am much older. I wasn’t a member of the forum when I made a purchase, I knew however about the issues with importation of airguns into Canada and decided to try my chances. I have my other three rifles purchased from a Canadian distributor. I was AV'd more than a month ago, but my info isn't populated into the forum yet. I guess it takes longer than two weeks sometimes. Oh, well...

So, after some research, I made a purchase on eHobbyAsia - I bought Classic Army CA-25 Entry Carbine. They shipped it pretty quick and in about a week and a half it reached Canada Border Agency where it got stuck. After two weeks I got notification from CBSA that the item was detained, together with a letter from CBSA, saying that it is prohibited item (replica firearm) and indicating my choices: appeal, abandon or export. I decided to try my luck again and apply for appeal, as the export process looked very unclear.

On eHobbyAsia website it says that the muzzle velocity of the rifle is 390fps. According to Custom Notice 12-005, airfost guns with muzzle velocity over 366fps are considered uncontrolled firearms and not replicas and allowed for importation, so I based my appeal letter on that and attached a copy of Custom Notice 12-005 as well as website screenshot showing description of the rifle.

Later I checked manufacturer’s website and found out that fps limit is way below 366fps! I thought I was screwed.

After a week I received letter that my appeal was received and will be reviewed, and after one more week I received another letter, together with delivery attempt notice, saying that the rifle was considered eligible for importation! In the letter they mentioned that they referred to the manual, that came with the rifle and because highest FPS limit was above 366fps, they decided to release it. So, they do refer to manual that come with a gun and not retailer or manufacturer's information on the web, and I guess eHobbyAsia upgraded the rifle and changed the numbers in the manual as well.

Next day I went to a post office and received the rifle. I had to pay taxes and duties though - $75 total. Plus shipping was around $60. Plus it is a lottery, you never know 100% your gun will be released. So, I completely agree that mostly it makes sense to purchase locally rather than over the border, unless it is something you really want/need and can't find here in Canada.

Hope this can be of some interest for some people here on the forum.