Eek....Customs....Help!!

[Rumpel Felt]

Alright, so I get my first letter from customs yessterday after about 20 succesfull overseas orders.

NOTICE OF DETENTION

Part A.... yaddy yaddy yadda....

DECLARED. AIRSOFT FRAME

Location of Goods: IMPC

Goods described are being detained for the following reasons:

TO DETERMINE ADMISSIBILITY

You are required to contact the following address concerning the requirments that have to be met:

C.V.S. prohibited Importaions Unit
CBSA Mail Package Gateway
4567 Dixie Road Mississauga ON
L4W 1T0
(905) 625 7942 or 7615

Officer Number: 14815

Part B.... I acknowlesge the receipt of this notice

BLANK

Part C.... Disposition of Goods

BLANK

-----------------------------------------------------

So, what should I do? Write them a letter explaining what it is? or

Is this the point where I'm fucked? or

....any imput would be great!

Oh, it's soley an aluminum frame for a Desert Eagle....

[The Saint]

The "you're fracked" letter would tell you in no uncertain terms that they've determined the item unacceptable and will destroy it after the appeal period expires, or something along those lines. Since your letter says it's being held for the purpose of determining the item's admissibility, you really should call in and explain politely and accurately why it's not for a real gun.

[dodger_me]

Its a frame/Lower so you wont get it, Your other orders probably have not contained restricted items

[ArmaliteWhore]

I would order from the classifieds. Those bastards at customs are really getting worse every day.

[dodger_me]

or airsoftparts.ca

[aZn_triXta07]

Originally Posted by The Saint

The "you're fracked" letter would tell you in no uncertain terms that they've determined the item unacceptable and will destroy it after the appeal period expires, or something along those lines. Since your letter says it's being held for the purpose of determining the item's admissibility, you really should call in and explain politely and accurately why it's not for a real gun.

I agree with Saint, and if you can somehow do some intense research on the differences and in detail point out something like no serial # or something that it's not for a real gun and it's for a toy than you can get away. But on a lower frame heh good luck.

[Rumpel Felt]

It's a hunk of aluminum....like really....

It's got no serial # and they know it's for airsoft. I'm thinking of stating something along the lines of a) totally useless for a real gun b) does not have the same physical specs and is painted white (it is) as anything real and that might just be enough to dodge the 'replica' claim and c) no serial number therefore, not a controlled piece.... somewhat reasonable?

Since now I know there seems to be an actual "you're fucked" letter, maybe they really are being merciful on me?

[Greylocks]

It's a frame, and by legal definitions it's the essential part of a gun.
You've been here for a while and decided to order one anyway. You took a chance.

Now you must take another chance and appeal. It might work but if you lose you will now be on the shit list at Customs. That does have other consequences.

[Rumpel Felt]

So, if I lose....then I'm on the shit list?? How does that work when I am recieving stuff unopened while this is going on?

I'm going to call them up on Monday and I'm curious if I get to talk to someone live or not. Anyone know?

Oh and these other consequences?

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by Rumpel Felt

It's a hunk of aluminum....like really....

It's got no serial # and they know it's for airsoft. I'm thinking of stating something along the lines of a) totally useless for a real gun b) does not have the same physical specs and is painted white (it is) as anything real and that might just be enough to dodge the 'replica' claim and c) no serial number therefore, not a controlled piece.... somewhat reasonable?

Since now I know there seems to be an actual "you're fucked" letter, maybe they really are being merciful on me?

It's as much a "hunk of aluminum" as fully automatic M4 receiver is a "hunk of steel."

It's prohibited.

You're trying to import a replica of a controlled item (the controlled item being the frame.) If it wasn't clear before, here's a re-iteration: replicas are prohibited items. This is why airsoft is so expensive in Canada.

[Rumpel Felt]

I'm not new to what and what isn't a problem. You guys don't have to beat that in.

What I am new to is customs as this in the first time out of many that this has happened. So I'm asking for any help with them.

So phone or letter, which is best?

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by Rumpel Felt

So phone or letter, which is best?

Neither, because you're pretty much fucked.

[mcguyver]

Originally Posted by Rumpel Felt

I'm not new to what and what isn't a problem. You guys don't have to beat that in.

What I am new to is customs as this in the first time out of many that this has happened. So I'm asking for any help with them.

So phone or letter, which is best?

If you want to appeal, they will have given you the appeal date and where to send the appeal to on your seizure notice. If you write a very well thought-out letter explaining that this is for an airsoft gun and that it can't possibly be used to manufacture a real gun, then you "might" have a chance. If there is some integral parts machined into this frame which are not on the real one, or if there are weak points also not on the real one, even better.

Now, appeals can take many months, even extending into years. They cost you nothing, except postage perhaps, but they can and will delay and stall as long as they feel necessary. You may just give up before you see the end. But by all means do appeal and at least try to get your items back.

[Greylocks]

Originally Posted by Rumpel Felt

So, if I lose....then I'm on the shit list?? How does that work when I am recieving stuff unopened while this is going on?

I'm going to call them up on Monday and I'm curious if I get to talk to someone live or not. Anyone know?

Oh and these other consequences?

Short list of what CAN happen;

Everything you order will be scanned or looked at physically.

Your name/id CAN be flagged at Customs (it likely will), which may make your future travel plans a lot of no fun. Could even reach being banned from crossing the border OR being searched all the time.
You CAN be accused of attempted smuggling, and that is a criminal offense.
If you are convicted, you then have a Criminal record.
If you have a criminal record, it has a huge impact on your future job prospects.

So that is what CAN happen. All that for trying to import something instead of ordering it from Canadian retailers.

To the naysayers, please note that I said it CAN happen. Not that it WILL. But I sure as hell would not try it.

[Zeonprime]

Rumple, look for the thread about the CBSA not always being asses or something to that effect. was recent as in the last week or two.
To the new guys posting "you're fucked" very helpful go back to trolling and boosting your post count elsewhere.
And Rumple Greylocks is right there are all sorts of potential ramifactions for this, write something really really good when you write your letter going, no serial numbers, made from alumiminum, stress points would never allow for...etc etc.