Gear vs. U.S. border officers?

[Chubby]

Here's the issue.

I'm going to be heading down to PA this summer and I'm going to be staying with some friends who are also into airsoft. I want to show off and use some of my gear but I'm concerned that with the current state of U.S. paranoia that they may seize my stuff or deny me access to the states if I'm bringing down a bunch of tactical gear with me ie; I could be planning to hook up with fellow dissentioners to impersonate military persons and overthrow the white house, blah blah blah, or something stupid like that.

What are your guys' take on that? Do you think I should be concerned and leave the gear at home or not be concerned and bring it because it's just "part of a costume"?

[The Saint]

You have a right to be concerned. I don't remember who tried to order some replica plate carriers from HK and the package went through the States only to get flagged by Homeland Security. So the possibility of your gear getting you in trouble certainly does exist.

[Blackthorne]

I truck down there with plate carriers and all sorts of assorted crap, but I am also brining real firearms and have that supporting paperwork.

If you are bringing it down without guns and mags you should be fine. Just make sure you check all those little pockets and stowage areas for anything that they might consider suspicious (like a fake hand grenade).

Remember, I am talking about GEAR ONLY here.

[Chubby]

Yeah I guess really what it'll probably boil down to is just who I get for a border officer and what mood they're in at the time when I go.

I mean, owning the stuff isn't illegal as anyone can wander into the local surplus shop and buy all their kit, it's just that my stuff is unique to me and I don't want to risk losing it through the postal system or to a cranky border patrol officer who hasn't had his daily hero cookie.

[Jayhad]

Originally Posted by The Saint

You have a right to be concerned. I don't remember who tried to order some replica plate carriers from HK and the package went through the States only to get flagged by Homeland Security. So the possibility of your gear getting you in trouble certainly does exist.

it was me, but my case was slightly different as my carriers were coming from HK into the US and then out of the US. Rather then one person with his kit going down to the US.

[Ibby]

You may or may not have difficulties. Jackals and I went to Fort Drum last weekend to pick up some gear. We told the US guard what we were up to. He was generally cranky but had no problems with what we were doing. We claimed the stuff coming back, and all the Canadian side was interested in was us paying duty on the stuff we bought. It can be hit and miss though. Jackals had some cranky old customs dude and wound up paying more than twice the amount I did, and I bought more stuff. I got a young hottie and paid bugger all.

[Tombstone]

If i ordered molle pouches in ACU pat. from the states would there be any
issues with canada CUSTOMS? Because i would not want that stuff to be siezed,
Sorry for going off topic.

[Ibby]

Originally Posted by Tombstone

If i ordered molle pouches in ACU pat. from the states would there be any
issues with canada CUSTOMS? Because i would not want that stuff to be siezed,
Sorry for going off topic.

Jackals and I went down and got complete ACU outfits. The Canadian side only cared about getting their share of the loot.

[Jackals]

Yea, US Custom guards are jackasses but on the canadian side all they gave a crap about was us paying our duties. I even told the guy what everything was including my holster. But like Ibby said, I paid double the taxes.

[Drake]

Chubby, generally speaking most gear is sold over the counter in the US anyway -- they can't really be very concerned about you bringing in something you could readily buy once you're in the country. HOWEVER, you need to be aware that some gear is sold to LEO/Mil only, and some items aren't supposed to be exported, even though they get exported all the time anyway; that's the stuff that may cause you grief.

A vivid example right off the top of my head is IBAs (Point Blank's Interceptor Armor). While they are on the market, strictly speaking they shouldn't be even though you'll find them on eBay and stuff. (kinda like the situation in Canada with Issue CADPAT; on the books it says Don't Surplus, but it sometimes does get surplused anyway, and may also find "other means" of being liberated onto the open market)

Point in case, if the guy wants to be really anal about it, he could raise a stink about that (maybe he's ex military and hates you cuz you obviously aren't supporting the war in Iraq -- you know, being Canadian and all). There are some reported cases were the Marine Corp tracked down and re-gained possession of IBAs that had been sold to civilians.

So that's what I'd be looking out for.

[Tombstone]

The ones I had my eye on was from opsgear.com so.... they are not actual
issued gear.

I guess that should = no problems except Canada customs will just get me to pay taxes and thats fine with me,

BTW: I do support the Iraq war.




Thanks for the advice.

[Tombstone]

Does anyone know where to get ACU Molle pouches in canada?

[Farmboy]

We carry limited stock of ACU, TAG and HSGI.