Firearm Transport into AK through Canada

[DakotaJeff]

Just taking care of some logistics for my move up to Alaska and I wanted to see if anyone had any advice or tips on getting firearms through Customs at the Canadian border?  I have my nonresident firearms transport form from the Canadian Firearms Centre but wanted to see if anyone had any tips for making that process smooth and pain-free...  All the guns I'll be bringing are hunting rifles or shotguns so there shouldn't be any problems with restricted handguns or prohibited guns.  Thanks for the help.

[379 Peterbilt]

I have gone into Canada with rifles a few times. The 909 form, as you well know, is pretty straight forward. I have never had a problem crossing with them. Sometimes they have looked at the guns (going through the motions drama) other times they did not ask to see them

You can expect the border agents to ask you to come inside and pay the money. Be sure that you do not sign your signature on the CAFC 909 untill you are being witnessed by a border agent I do not remember just why that is, but they want to see you sign it. Also, in case you are not aware, there are different prices for how long the form is good for. I'd go with the one that is for the shortest period of time. I don't recall how long exactly it is, but I do know it's plenty long enough for you to drive through and get to Alaska before it expires.

Not sure of your situation and how many guns are involved, but shipping them to yourself (from 48 to Ak) would/could be an option. At least the  Kanuck government would not be getting money from you, not to mention the paperwork trail that they keep on your guns.

Truely one of the stupidest, most useless, fiscaly irresonsible and expensive laws ever enacted on planet earth.

The more I think about it, the more i say mail them to yourself, just out of principal alone. JMO

Good luck

[DakotaJeff]

Thanks for the help.  I do not have an FFL, otherwise I probably would mail them to myself.  I'm guessing it would cost as much to ship them to a gun dealer up there and pay for their processing fee as it would to pay at the border.  My moving expenses will be reimbursed, so I'll recover my costs at the border at some point.

[379 Peterbilt]

You do not need an FFL to ship guns to yourself. 

You can wrap and box up your guns, take them to the USPS, and have them shipped to any post office in Alaska. (I have done this also btw.) You simpley address the shipment to say "general delivery, Dakota Jeff (use your real name obviously) and the address of the post office where you want it shipped to

Example:

*General delivery*
I/C of Dakota Jeff
4141 Postmark Drive, Anchorage, AK 99502

They will hold the package for up to 30 days IIRC

You show up at the post office and get your goods.

I know it can be done. I shipped a rifle from Wisconsin to a post office (myself) in a remote village in Alaska.

I guess it boils down to how many guns you would ship to Ak and their cost to do so, vs driving through Canada and those issues with registering them with the Canadien guberment.

Hope this helps

I envy you getting the move to Alaska btw!!

[muskeg13]

If your moving expenses are being reimbursed, are the rest of your household goods being shipped by a moving company?  If so, why not have the mover pack them up and ship them with everything else?  I've shipped firearms twice in military moves to Alaska, and also in nearly two dozen other stateside and 2 overseas moves.  If a moving company ships them, they handle all of the paperwork and you don't have to deal with Canadian Customs.  Most, if not all, Alaskan household goods shipments go by truck or rail to Seattle and then come into the Port of Anchorage by barge.

[DakotaJeff]

There are certain items the company moving my household stuff won't move.  They'll package and transport all my bullets and reloading supplies (but not black powder), however, they won't move my guns.  Liability reasons I guess, not sure why.  They won't move items such as cleaning supplies, paints, chemicals, and food either.  All those I can replace in AK, but the guns are quite a bit more precious items

[deltecs]

I don't know where you are coming from but air cargo is another option.  I've used it on several occasions and the shippers are most careful in handling and delivery.  Make sure your id is current.  It is true too that you can mail to yourself your own firearms.

[DakotaJeff]

After talking with the moving company a bit more, I found out they will ship my guns along with my other household items to Alaska.  My initial conversation with them led me to believe they would not.  Since they'll ship my stuff via barge from WA to AK, it doesn't go through Canada and thus no worries about the declaration with customs.  They will not ship gun powder (black or smokeless), ammunition, primers, etc.  Oh well, that stuff I can replace easy enough.  I do appreciate all your help, I'll keep the shipping guns via the mail in mind for future reference.