Importation from USA to Canada (Airsoft Gears)
 

Hi,

I know it's legal(I think it is??) to import camo uniforms and tactical vests over to Canada. However, I really don't know how to go about it, because these can be used with real steel firearms and I really wonder what I should do driving back to the border.

Should I just declare it: umm..I bought 2 things for airsoft to use myself. A replica camo uniform, and a replica tactical vest and the total is 100 dollars. It just sounds so weird and suspicious. I try to avoid bring airsoft related items across the border, but sometimes the deals are just too good in the US.

I'm going to portland for a few days and I sorta want to know if anyone had any experience with this. I know there are import topics, but they are mostly for guns. I'm well over the guns now..those damn cheap prices.

Thanks for any input.

That doesn't make any sense.

Uniforms are uniforms. Vests are vests. Why are you mentioning airsoft and/or firearms?

Declare them for what they are. They're legal, you shouldnt have to justify why you're buying them. If they're really curious, tell them you play airsoft or paintball or whatever. Case closed.

It is completely legal and they will not give you trouble on those items.
"Do you have anything to declare?"
"Yes I bought a tactical vest and camo, and some great porn and a bottle of bourbon"
"Whats the vest and camo for, and whats the total value of goods?"
"I play airsoft/paintball/whatever and value is [insert number below the personal exemption for however many days you're there]"

Done. The worst that happens is the agent asks you what it's for and if you respond truthfully, you're golden.

I believe its labeled as clothing, and not fire arms or sporting goods.

With the dollar what it is and Dave's in New West so handy why buy stuff in Portland?

If it has a problem are you going to ship it back?

As a side note if you are nervous about importing stuff'; no mater how legal it is and the CBSA agents sees that you're sweating and worried they're going to select you for secondary inspection.

Your answer if they ask, paintball/historical reenactment/halloween/cosplay costume. And of course fully declare the value and whatnot.

I don't think I've ever been asked what I'm bringing back in detail just what the value of the goods were and the general category. ie. Clothing from the outlet malls and whatever the personal exemption was.

I go back and forth a lot... just declare it as clothing as even the tactical vest is classified as clothing. Make sure you're under your limit or really close to it. They really shouldn't ask what it's used for, its not restricted so it's really none of their business. Obviously if they ask, then answer truthfully but they probably won't.

Normal civilian clothes 'can be used with real steel firearms' too, do you freak out like this when you buy a pair of khakis at the old navy outlet?

Ok, thanks for the answers.
In case you are wondering. Last time I came back from the USA i was asked: what is your job?..
I'm a POS/Database System manager for a local gun store located in Delta.
She sorta freaked out for like a moment, but let us through after 10 seconds of thought. Just because it had a little bit to do with guns. I don't even touch the guns..just managing database.

I mean some of these guys are really thinking hard..It's a good thing, but it is sorta frustrating at times.

What they sai. Soft gear is completely harmless. Obviously however, if that rig had plates in it, you're going to have a problem getting it over, but for $100 I imagine its an empty carrier, heh

apparently it has fake plate...But I don't care..if they wont allow it, I'll just throw it into the garbage..not like I need it lol.
if anything, that plate will only make me less aware of hits, rather feel a bit of pain

Hmmm, typically CBSA doesn't ask returning Canadian Citizens what they do for a living... that's pretty strange. Usually that's the question asked by US Customs when we enter the US to see if we plan on working there.

In terms of her reaction, that's also unusual, probably a new officer.

Last time I returned from the US I had $240, my friend had $205, the CBSA agent in the booth told us to go inside... we were really confused as we were so little over the limit but whatever, we went in. Went up to the cashier and gave her all our receipts... we had assumed, incorrectly, that we only paid duty on items over the allowance when in fact you pay for the entire amount if you go over the limit. The cashier also seemed confused, she asked us how long we'd been in the US, we replied about 32 hours. We're waiting for her to tell us how much we owe but instead she turns to the two CBSA officers sitting further down and says "I don't know what to do".... now I'm confused, I wasn't happy that I had to pay duty for the full $240 but was like whatever, if that's the rule then that's the rule. She tells them the amounts and the officers say, "oh they must have not been there overnight", but she tells them we were. So the officers ask to see the card given by the officer in the booth and it clearly says "24 hours"... the two officers look at each other for about 3 seconds then the one says to us "have a good day".

So basically, the confusion inside was because people so little over the limit don't get sent inside to pay duty, the officer in the booth was either new or just not having a good day, happens to all of us. So it's always a dice throw whenever you bring anything back from the US but most of the time I've found the CBSA to be fairly reasonable but as with any job involving the public, all it takes is some ahole ahead of you to make things difficult for the rest of us.

In the end, you're not trying to bring back anything illegal and really only have to declare them as clothing.

Sure they do.

They ask you random shit to watch your reactions, both sides. US guy started out kinda surly towards me and when I said I worked on cartoons, he revealed that he was a closet nerd.

CBSA guys have always been jerks to me coming back when I'm alone.

I've been to the states probably 50-60 times in the last 20 years and can't remember a single instance when they asked me what I did for work. Hell, even when I went down for work (our Canadian company has offices in the US) they never asked me where I work or what I do. But ok...