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Hi
I know ammo can be scarce at times in Ontario.
Just a reminder to everybody that you are legally allowed to buy ammo in the US and bring it into Canada.
You are allowed to bring up to 5000 rounds of ammo per day.
I couldn’t find 13 gauge 4,5 and 6 locally so I went to the Cabela’s in Buffalo and came back with 10 boxes.
No issues at the border. You just declared it.
I didn’t even have to pay duty. Period.
Just an FYI.
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problem is your not allowed to have it in the US and they do at times check on the US side of the border. If you have a hunting licence in the US, then your ok, otherwise your playing with fire.
That’s not correct.
In NY State when you purchase the ammo they have to record your info.
I had to give them my drivers license which they entered into some master online tracking system.
Perhaps the law has changed recently.
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Only way to know for sure what the US Authorities think/do is- to ask them!
Anyone have done that?
I did my research.
First On the Canadian side I checked the customs site online, I called the Canadian customs one 800 number, and I checked with the border the day before.
Two yes I meant 12 gauge not 13 gauge.
Third I checked with Cabela’s, prior to showing up: you would think they would also know what the laws are.
Forth I called the New York State Police and they told me that as long as I had valid ID which was to be recorded I was allowed to buy ammo.
Fifth Do your own research. I was just trying to be helpful relay my experience.
That’s it.
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Forgot to add a sixth.
Sixth Do not mix up the control and laws around purchasing fire arms and the control / law around purchasing ammo.
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The last time I tried to buy ammo in PA they required to have an American drivers license. They wouldn’t let me buy it with a Canadian one but that was 7 years ago.
Got some feelers out to guys that cross the border to hunt both states into canada and canada into states and see what they do?
As I understand it every state has their own ammo purchase laws so have to check the state you're in for the rules.
Think there is a distinction between personal use and commercial but I'll get back once they chime in.
Acolic quick question for you. When you were at Cabela's in Buffalo did you happen to notice if they had any .410 ammo. Thank's Ken
The problem isn't getting the ammo in the U.S. Getting it out is another matter. The Americans have export laws on ammunition and while the chances of you getting caught if you buy a few boxes are probably small I have seen CBP officers doing exit checks at Buffalo and Lewiston.
(I tried to post a quote from the CBP and a link on exporting ammo but the current board issues prevented me from posting it.)
OP.
Retailers in the US are quite happy to sell to Canadians true. The intent is that you will use the ammunition purchased within the borders of the usa.
CBSA has zero issue on their end with importing up to 5000 rounds per day this is correct as well.
It is the BATF and US Federal export law where the problem lies. The law is very clear in the us. You may not export ammunition ( take outside of the US) without a valid export permit. Truthfully if it was as easy as running across the border into Buffalo or other places in New York or Michigan do you not think it would be done by everyone?
Getting away with something doesn't make it legal it just means that you haven't been caught at it.
I have attempted several times to paste the link to the BATF site that addresses this. However the forums are still quite glitchy.
As a few posters have stated, exporting ammo and most firearms without an export licence from the US is a BIG no-no. The prohibition includes firearm parts and scopes.
I wouldn’t rely on info from retailers or the state police call US customs. I got pulled over by US customs on my way back across the border as they thought that I was transporting raw bullets.
Anyone now the rules for powder, have been trying to get some so I can start reloading 30/06. Haven’t been able to find any in Ontario.
hunter06- PM sent ,but unsure if You can read it....i can not read Your reply (Forum issue again)
Hi
Hopefully this is the last post on this topic.
Today on the way to work I stopped off at the Fort Erie US customs office.
I asked them about the legality of purchasing ammo in the US and bring it into Canada.
They asked if it was for personal reasons, I said, yes, they said we don’t care.
According to them the export laws only apply to exporting large amounts of ammo in order to resell it.
Not for individuals buying a few boxes to go goose hunting.
Then we talking about goose hunting.
So at this point:
I have talked to Canada customs over the phone and in person.
I’ve spoken to New York State police.
I have spoken to Cabela’s.
I have spoken to US customs personally.
No one cares.
Everyone tells me it is completely legal.
I’m not a lawyer, so I’ll leave it up to everybody to make their own determination.
As for me I’m going goose hunting this Saturday.
I’m going to buy a few boxes of ammo.
Cheers
Alex.
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You can either depend on what someone tells you over the phone or you can read what the CBP says officially. You will probably not get stopped by an exit check but if you are your "Gosh, someone I talked to said it was okay" might not get the job done.
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Artic...language=en_US
Quote:
Export regulations require that prior to traveling outside the United States with firearms and/or ammunition all departing persons must obtain a valid and appropriate Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) or Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) export license or qualify for a valid DDTC license exemption under 22 C.F.R. 123.17 - 123.18 or a valid BIS license exception under 15 C.F.R. 740.14(e).
years ago I called into US customs as I was coming into US waters by boat to notify them I'd be trolling in Lake Huron salmon fishing. I was bluntly told I don't have to report in.
4 hrs later when I was boarded and searched by the US coast Guard (one who held his hand on his holstered gun the entire time), they strongly disagreed with that and called by radio to the CG cutter that they would be detaining me and towing in my boat. An hour later they agreed to let me off with a warning.
That was one of the most stressful hours of my life, and not one I want to repeat.
Point is, just because one guy tells you something, the next guy may not agree, especially with different enforcement agencies. If its worth the risk to you to save a few bucks, have at it. I'll play it safe and follow what the rules in writing say. As when it comes down to standing in front of a judge, they will be reading the black and white rules as written, not as interpreted by whoever you had verbal confirmation from.
I'd bet if you asked any of them to put what they said in writing, they would quickly decline.
Laws do change including enforcement policies. It wouldn’t hurt to check in at the border and ask (as the OP did). I would make a point of getting the officer’s name and badge number just in case,
As it's been pointed out earlier, CBSA and US Border Services aren't the issue with bringing ammunition etc....across the border. The problem is US ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives) you need a permit to bring it across the border(export). You can't just go buy it and drive back across...
There's so many different agencies in the US, it's like a major crap shoot, never mind that the left hand doesn't know what the right hands doing, they can't even get two fingers on one hand to agree.
^^^This.Quote:
Originally Posted by thunderbolt
BATF is the agency that will prosecute.
Best case, you come back into the country with a flat or two of cheaper ammo, worst case, federal charges.....
I don’t think you can hunt Canadian Geese with American [emoji631] ammo .J/K :)..good luck knock em down!
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My understanding is they same as thunderbolt, it is the ATF that is the problem, I'd talk to them if you want to bring shells back. Canada side only cares if over a certain amount. I brought back a box of 270 shells few years ago, had to go to secondary as I had bought a few hundred dollars of stuff at Cabelas. The Canadian guys said all was good that I broke no Canadian laws but I did break a US one. They they proceed to tell me how they got in trouble with the ATF.
Hi
Per the ATF website they clearly state non-immigrants are allowed to buy ammo but not firearms.
If you do not have a Green Card you are considered a non-immigrant.
They state you have to adhere to all state laws.
So the ATF is good.
They also state they are no longer concerned with the export of firearms and ammo that mandate has passed to the Commerce Department.
The Commerce Department website states they are focused on ensuring any export of firearms adhere to international law. They are not concerned with the export of ammo.
Just for giggles I will call them tomorrow.
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Good info, and thanks for sharing all this. I think I'll wait for a while for the bumps to get worked out before I try it myself, but if things have indeed changed that's good. I still like to support local, but selection is a large issue these days, so alternatives are good.Quote:
Originally Posted by acolic
I recently purchased four boxes of 16ga #5s in Minnesota, and another two in North Dakota. No ID was asked for in those states. I did have a valid Form 6 and a ND hunting license, so I wasn't worried. No issues at the border, they just asked to look at our PALs as we were returning with our (Canadian) shotguns.
So I did a bit more digging.
So far I had contacted Canadian Customs, US Customs, New York, State Police,, bass, pro, and the ATF.
No one cared about my exporting ammo into Canada.
But I also contact the Department of Commerce, as suggested, who did care.
Well, actually, they told me they don’t care, they’re more interested in rogue agents within the US trying to export ammo to North Korea, etc.
But if I wanted to do things by the book, I needed to get a free export license.
So being a glutton for administrative punishment, I decided to get myself an export license.
First I had to register for a SNAP-R account which took about five minutes. Just had to set myself up with a username, passwords, etc.
Then I had to request an export license to export ammo. That took me about 15 minutes. For each request you have to specify the type and amount of ammo and you can export up to that amount of ammo over a four year period.
So I thought I would keep it simple and request permission to export 80 boxes of 12/20 gauge shotgun ammo over four years. I just had to specify the ammo but not from where I was going to purchase it.
Two days later, the export license was approved.
So what do I do with this export license?
Nothing.
Department of Commerce said to keep it handy, but when purchasing the ammo or exporting the ammo, I do not need to show it to anyone.
I specifically checked with US customs and they don’t care to see this form.
So now everybody is happy.
I also noticed there was options to export weapon parts. I’m going to see if I can get a export license to export an entire shotgun.
Cheers,
Alex
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So now that you are a bonafide exporter from the U.S., will that change anything when importing into Canada? Sounds like it may put you into the crosshairs of the Canadian officials?Quote:
Originally Posted by acolic
highly unlikely as bring ammo in has never been a problem. if I recall its like 500 rounds.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushmoose
I would suggest that someone who is a "licensed" exporter from the U.S. would certainly raise the eyebrows of Canada Customs, especially if it involves firearm ammunition. But hey, if it works, then by all means, the OP can knock himself out.Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
Why? Only need to be an exporter to get it out of the US getting it into Canada is a simple declaration at customs no need to be an importerQuote:
Originally Posted by Bushmoose
Anything to declare?
Ya two boxes of ammo
ok go ahead.
The export license is between me and the US and it’s for tracking reasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushmoose
There’s a website where I enter my purchase and draw down on the 80 boxes.
I didn’t have to enter any personal info to get a license beyond my home address.
No drivers license, passport, photo etc.
If I want to I could have made all the info up.
When I cross all I do is déclare my ammo normally.
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My point is we’ve gone beyond - You can’t buy ammo in the US, you will get arrested, you will do hard time, get waterboarded, etc. to spend 20 minutes on a website and get a license to buy all the ammo you want.Quote:
Originally Posted by acolic
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Got a short cut to the link
Hey Acolic is the price for the ammo a good deal to what we pay here), after doing the currency conversion? Do they nail you for duty or exise if you’ve only been t it here for a few hours?
I've priced it out several times over the last couple years and rarely is it a better deal. I was in in Cabelas in Delaware last weekend and most prices were the same or a couple bucks less than you would pay in Canada, before the exchange. Exchange was 36%. In Delaware, there are no sales tax, so that helps a bit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenelon
A case of Kent waterfowl ammo was $260-290 US. A case of Winchester target loads was $110 US.
You need to be over 24 hours for $200 duty free and 48 hours for $800 duty free. Less than 24 hours you would be subject to paying duty and taxes.
Go on to Rogers Sporting Goods website and check ammo pricing there.