A meeting today with Canadian Customs

[Skruface]

Originally Posted by redmond

Skruface you bring up a really good point, but it's not everybody who lives close to the border, and it's not every state that has airsoft stores, let alone one situated by the border.

What you're doing isn't illegal, and you know what, i would probably do the same thing, but 600 miles (one way) to the nearest airsoft store in the states (for me) doesn't save me money, it costs more.

I see your point, but I didn't go to a store - I arranged my purchase pickup through a discussion board not much different than this one, and I picked it up at the seller's place of residence. Still, something like 85% of all Canadians live within 100 km of the US border. There's no reason most of us Canuck airsofters can't do this. Besides, 600km is not so far with a couple of buddies who also want to buy guns - did someone say airsoft roadtrip on the long weekend?

[redmond]

600 MILES, thats 1000 kilometers one way!

But i'll admit i'm a sucker for roadtrips, heck the roadtrip to keystone 2 was more fun then keystone itself.

[FNG]

Originally Posted by frankiet

I don't give a rat's ass if you take offence. I don't know you, nor your business practices. Your trader rating isn't helping you either (note the big zero). I haven't seen a single person on this site who has vouched for you, so excuse me if I'm a little skeptical if this info comes from a retailer with no credibility here.

I'll vouch for him. Myself and friends have bought several guns from Todd in last few months. Everything from PTW to AGM. We've also bought hundreds of thousands of BBs from him plus mags and parts and special order items that are hard to get in Canada. He's a stand up guy who goes out of his way get you what you want.

[Ibby]

Originally Posted by Skruface

I can't believe I'm the only person who's doing this.

You're not


Oh, and incase it wasn't posted elsewhere, here's what you're up against when dealing with our freshest border agents:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-col...derguards.html

Originally Posted by FNG

Myself and friends have bought several guns from Todd in last few months.

How'd you bring them back?

[aZn_triXta07]

Interesting article here, mmm I really like Skruface's idea ..that should be something I'll consider ... if anything I could grab myself an MP5 cause I got a spare lying around ...or just deck it fullmetal

Originally Posted by Ibby

You're not


Oh, and incase it wasn't posted elsewhere, here's what you're up against when dealing with our freshest border agents:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-col...derguards.html



How'd you bring them back?

[Greylocks]

"However, as an individual, you cannot import or acquire a replica firearm."

That's the part that bites, no matter how you cut it, along with nothing being put in writing. Heck, even buying here is technically illegal. Why add the CBSA Roulette to the mix?

I'd love to visit and buy from Warchild's store, but I still cant bring myself to trust what CBSA will decide that day. If I go I'll likely get some of the other stuff he sells.

[Moderate]

Originally Posted by Ibby

You're not


Oh, and incase it wasn't posted elsewhere, here's what you're up against when dealing with our freshest border agents:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-col...derguards.html



How'd you bring them back?

ROFL LMAO, the next generation of border guards is upon us!

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Endymion

Thus far I have seen one businessman take personal time out for the sake of interest and community and personally procure info to share, only to be met with what can only be described as trollish behaviour.

here here.

I appreciate the time WC7 has taken to outline all this. Again, none of it is information that you've not read before in some other place, but WC7 has pulled it all together in one place and spoken to the authorities involved on Canadian patron's behalf. He has gotten AS CLEAR AN ANSWER AS YOU WILL EVER GET from CBSA.

The fact of the matter is that there is a lot of discretion left to the officer and because of the culture of supporting each other, even if one officer makes a bad call on a cross-border situation, his supervisor will back him up out of interservice loyalty and you're SOL. This is why how your approach to the border with the goods is critical and to discuss the importation with the officer in a non-confrontational, non-demanding and patient manner that gives the officer plenty of time to decide what to do and gives him/her the opportunity to save face at every turn. The *reasonable* officer will most likely let you through and the *asshole* officer won't, and appealing it just makes them dig their heals deeper.

So we are back to bring-back-airsoft-from-USA-at-own-risk.

[DC_ACU]

thank god for me i live in niagara falls canada, so its only a 35 minute drive.
so when i do decide that i have the extra money to spare on a few AEG's ill make the trip over
+1 makes things wicked when your best friend has a status card
=tax free
=quickly pass through the border

[Lynxicanus]

Excuse my ignorance but what is a status card?

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Lynxicanus

Excuse my ignorance but what is a status card?

Probably referring to NEXUS.

[White_knight]

so let me get this straight. i could just drive down to the US, buy lets say a tm M4, pop the plastic lower off and then proceed to bring the rest of the gun over?

[Skruface]

Originally Posted by White_knight

so let me get this straight. i could just drive down to the US, buy lets say a tm M4, pop the plastic lower off and then proceed to bring the rest of the gun over?

When I've done it, I've ditched both the upper and lower. I've also provided a bill of sale, along with the seller's contact info in case they disputed the value of the goods. I declared them as air rifle parts made in Japan, and I took a hit of, I think, 16% on duty (I bought other stuff while I was there that put me over my duty-free limit).

As I said before, I don't guarantee this will work for anyone/everyone. It works for me. Your experience may be different based on the agent you talk to, the way you act, what you're wearing; hell, it might be affected by the fact the agent broke up with his girlfrind the night before and is still pissed about it.

All I can say is that honesty is the best policy, and it works for me. I make no gaurantees for anyone else.

[White_knight]

no i understand completely that this is done at personal risk, however this does shine new hopes into my anorexic wallet as to finding cheaper guns. thanks for the info. now this begs another question could the same be done shipping wise. (im not expecting an answer on that, just food for me noodle)

[arman]

Originally Posted by Styrak

Well if you choose not to enter the country, they can't take anything can they? I would think it's kind of like flying. If you don't want to be searched, you can choose not to get on the plane. Or maybe I'm wrong?

sorry wrong if you get in line and go to the toll its to late