I am looking to get one formation from anyone that has actual brought a shotgun from Canada and into the United States. I will be visiting Canada later this year and a friend has given me a 100 + year old shotgun if I can figure out how to bring it back. This seems like it would be a common thing people would like to do. I have read everything I can find on line and it is still not clear.
First hand knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

I 've brought in guns from Australia, New Zealand and the UK . Country of origin is basically irrelevant to the fundamentals. You will need an ATF permit if doing it yourself and it's not an antique (older than 1899).
Jeremy

I've never imported a gun so I probably ought to stay out of this. However, with specific respect to Canada I think you'll probably need a Canadian Possession and Acquisition (PAL) to accept ownership of the gun in Canada. To bring it back if it is not pre-1898 you'll need an US Customs form 6 (I think) to bring it in to the USA.

Someone who has done it will post here I am sure...Geo

I have, used the services of Borderview.

borderview.com


Mike

Use Borderview. Don't mess around trying to do it yourself. Not worth the time, savings or potential headaches c

Thanks for the information. I will call and talk to Borderview, but would like to try and do this myself if it is possible and I can figure out the process.

You might also contact Prophet River out of Lloydminister AB who provide this service.

David, Prophet River doesn't export from Canada. I've spoken directly to Clay about this. His website suggests they do, but they don't.

Ghostrider, if you want to do it yourself, you need to get an export permit from Canada. Then you need to get an import permit from ATF. The one from Canada is pretty quick and easy. The one from the US not as quick, not as easy and a little more costly. Then you need the Canadian owner or his assigned agent legal to possess a gun, to bring it to the border. You have to be on the US side and receive it. I think in this case because you are the new owner and not an import agent, you may not have to get the gun engraved with who and when imported the gun into the US. But I'm not sure. If you do have to get it engraved, that would add a whole new level of logistic complexity to the transaction.

For $300 plus postage, I'd leave it to the professionals.

Thanks James for the clarification. From any thing I have read and to those I have talked to it has always been implied they provide the full service both ways. I wonder if once they did provide the Canada to US service but pulled it thus causing the confusion.

David I got the feeling it was just too much hassle for the business.

Borderview is set up with offices on both sides of the border practically in view of each other.

I spoke to a rep from Borderview. Seem like nice folks and knowledable. Base price is reasonable, I just have an issue with 5% of the value up to $5000 then 2% after that, base on what they feel the gun is worth. Value can be some what objective. Adding in packing, shipping, and insurance an the $ add up pretty quick.

You can also use IRUNGUNS.

They are cheaper. $295 and no flat fee. Plus shipping to them and then shipping to your FFL in the US.

I've used both. I prefer Borderview.

GR, is your friend located an easy drive from a border crossing. Are you driving up or using some other transportation method. If no to either of these questions, costs will add up fast if you try to do it yourself.

A key stumbling block is you don't have a Canadian possession and acquisition licence (PAL) so you can't touch the gun until it's across the border.

You need to contact ATF and apply now to get import permits 2 months from now. Your friend needs to drive the gun to the border. He better be licensed to possess it in Canada. You need to be in a car on the other side of the border waiting to take delivery of the gun from him. You all need to meet under the watchful eye of US customs, show documentation and transfer ownership.

How much is your time worth. How much is your buddy's time worth. How much will you both have to pay in gas to get to the border. It adds up fast.

Obtaining a Canadian PAL is time consuming. I have had one for years. There is also a temporary gun permit that hunters can get for a trip North. It is usually issued in conjunction with bringing a gun into the Country, but might suffice in your case to take possession of your friend's gun...Geo

It is a pity you aren't bringing it in from Mexico. That direction could be hand delivered for almost nothing. Those of us, slightly older than most, have a problem figuring out how things got so complex and expensive to do after 1968 and 9/11. Every time we got more careful about who does what the price for doing things just goes up and up. I long for those old ten cent Cokes and easy buying of guns. Those days are long gone.

I've bought two guns from Canada. Both were originally from the u.s.. both took a long time. Use a pro service or forget it.

Yes I will probably use a professional service. I just need now to determine which service to use. I don't mind paying a fair price for good service but I don't want to pay more than what's fair either. If I was driving I would do this myself. I have brought guns into Mexico and helped friends from Mexico brings guns into the US for hunting. Zero issues legally taking guns and ammunition into Mexico and paperwork on both sides took less than an hour. Used form 6 to bring guns into the US and again my experience with getting the permits was smooth and every time took less than 6 weeks.
That's why I struggle to understand why it could possibly be that hard to bring a shotgun in from Canada.
Next call will be to Irunguns to understand the full cost to bring a shotgun in if I use them.
If you know of other companies that would be great.

For all intents and purposes it's a choice between the two companies mentioned here. I export to the US regularly. I've looked. These are both reputable companies who will do a good job. Expect a time frame of 3 months or so.

There are cheaper and faster ways to do it. They aren't legal and your country will not look favourably on you if they find out.

Bringing a gun in (either direction) for hunting, as per your Mexican experience, is an entirely different matter.