Canada Legal Questions
 

Ok so to start off, yes I have read the sticky threads on importing guns and the Canada law threads. But it still seems unclear to me. So here are my questions.
-If I buy a gun from the US and Canadian Tire sells the same thing (clear and with an orange tip so its legal in both countries...) can I bring it into Canada?
-If I buy something in Canada and take it to the US, can I bring it back to Canada?

Thanks alot :)

Hey there.

First question I'm not altogether sure; I assume not but I may be mistaken. That aside, I'm not sure why you wouldn't just get the same thing in-country.
Second question, the consensus I've found in my reading here is no in regards to anything that you could not already import safely.

Someone else can probably give you better answers, but I hope that helps.

Firstly, Canada has no regulation that replicas must have an orange/red tip. That is a US specific rule.

Now,

1. Why would you want to buy one in the US, when the same thing is available here in country. And why would you even bother risking it? Even if it is clear.
2. There has been a bit of a discussion on whether or not you can bring an airsoft gun with you across the border and then back safely. My suggestion to you is not to even bother trying it. Your chances of success are slim to non exsistant.

Yeah I know orange tip is a US rule...
1. I currently live in the US but I am from Canada and visit often and just wanted to know the rules.

Anyways thanks for the input everyone... Any more info would be appreciated!

-Because airsoft guns in the US tend be A LOT cheaper for the same thing you can get in the US.

Secondly, I was in your position Aeddan1, I moved to the States in 98, and came back to Canada for vacations and what not. Best bet is, is sell your airsoft guns there and buy them here, like Im doing

Well yeah, but that doesn't so much apply to the twenty to thirty dollar clear things found at Canadian Tire and Walmart.

Yeah but I think he was referring to those guns as an example. Well, there's sort of a loophole in the law for importing airsoft guns. If they're clear and less than like 400 fps theyre allowed in if you have fieearms license and declare it

Mind posting your source?

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=23034
That, and if you read the actual law, you'll see

quoting a post from 2003 isn't the best source, i recommend to all new people to actually read the CBSA documents on importing airsoft.

I would hazard you to give advice to someone unless you have a credible source to back up your claim. Not just a, my mother's boyfriends uncles step brother said you can. That won't fly here.

I can understand the laws can be somewhat unclear, but I read the FAQ over and over again until I could discern what I believe made sense to me. I suggest others do the same.

Read Specifically Memo D-19. That is latest update that regards airsoft.

Long and the short of it, if you bring it into the US and its full black, you wont get back into Canada, if its clear and you declare it at the border to CBSA officers BEFORE crossing into the US and fill out a Y38 form you SHOULD be ok to get back in. I have done this before with a CANSOFT M4.

There is speculation that if your gun is full black and shoots over 413FPS on 0.20g BBs the same policy will work, but I have not tested that nor do I plan on risking a gun over it.


I have read over pretty much everything the CBSA and CFC have to say about airsoft, I have discussed this on multiple occasions with local CBSA officers and RCMP firearms experts. The law is vague and not specific about airsoft. I believe at one point it says "most" airsoft guns are prohibited.

Anything regarding velocities of what guns should be shooting is not posted, but obtained through actual people. None of which are willing to officially (on the record) put their name too. In the end its a gamble, one that its not worth risking with a quality gun.

Which is what I have done with both American and Canadian firearms experts as well. Sometimes you get lucky with a particular border agent, and it's allowed in, other times it isn't. I declared a JG M4 when i came into this country through the Quebec/Vermont border, and I was allowed in with it. When i took an alternate route through the Quebec/New Hampshire border and declared a KWC gas pistol, i wasnt allowed in with it. Bottom line, i was taking a risk and i know that now. Ive learned from my personal experience, so im passing that on. This is an opinion after all