Hi Clint.
Thank you for your correspondence.
I can understand why you find the issue confusing because it is a complex field. So many of these items, particularly air soft guns, have to be assessed case by case to determine whether they are replica firearms or not. Sometimes ballistic tests are needed.
The Firearms Reference Table of known firearms contains an extensive list of air guns that that are not considered to be firearms for purposes of the Firearms Act, but are considered to be firearms for purposes of the Criminal Code. These would include, for example, air guns that have a muzzle velocity of less than 500 feet per second, but that can still discharge a projectile with enough force to cause serious injury or death. I would suggest that you try calling one of our firearms technicians to see if the air gun you want to import is on that list. If it is, it can generally be imported provided you meet provincial age criteria and the Canada Border Services Agency has no reason to believe you pose a threat to public safety.
The FRT does not list those that are prohibited on the basis that they meet the definition of a replica firearm. However, the firearms technician may be able to assist you if you provide details of the air gun. You can contact a firearms technician by calling 1 800 731-4000, ext 1094.
Please be aware that, if Canada Border Services Agency has any doubt about the air gun, they may seize it. You would be given a certain amount of time to appeal the decision - for example, you may be able to request that the item be assessed by a forensic expert at the RCMP, but you are taking a risk unless you are reasonable certain in advance that the device is not a replica. Even if one of the firearms technicians says that the device you want to import is not a replica, I would suggest that you contact Canada Border Services Agency to find out what kind of evidence they need.
Yours truly
Glenda Stewart
Communications Division
Canada Firearms Centre
Subject: FW: IMPORT OF AIRGUN
Decide for yourself if it's worth the trouble. KEEP IT IN CANADA!!
Want to IMPORT?
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Tailgunner
- Posts: 1091
- Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2005 1:01 pm
- Location: Wilkie, SK
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LETTER TRANSLATION
Dear Sir:
I am pleased to inform you that we really have no idea what we're doing. Just because one official tells you one thing doesn't mean that another official can't change that decision at any time........for any reason.
It is entirely possible that we (CFC) might consider a 'firearm' to be completely legal and, in fact, pass all criteria for importation when, obviously, any Canada Customs Officer might decide to make up his/her own rules on the spot........ thus causing you all manner of frustration and problems by requiring you to jump through a multitude of hoops designed specifically to make no logical sense. Also, please be advised that our Canada Customs Officers receive no specific training in the area that you are seeking information about. They are, in fact, allowed to make idiotic decisions that bear no consequences. Some of these decisions are actually made because the specific Officer 'Doesn't Like Guns". We call this a DLG Denial and this decision carries the full weight of law but has no actual bearing on actual regulations in effect.
Please be advised that I, and a huge number of ill-quallified people, are paid a great deal of money to be able to run this system and pass on this valuable information. We're a bit worried at the present time that the new conservative government has seen through our activities and we humbly ask that you begin a ground swell campaign of public support in our favour in order to keep the valuable service that we provide in place.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
Dear Sir:
I am pleased to inform you that we really have no idea what we're doing. Just because one official tells you one thing doesn't mean that another official can't change that decision at any time........for any reason.
It is entirely possible that we (CFC) might consider a 'firearm' to be completely legal and, in fact, pass all criteria for importation when, obviously, any Canada Customs Officer might decide to make up his/her own rules on the spot........ thus causing you all manner of frustration and problems by requiring you to jump through a multitude of hoops designed specifically to make no logical sense. Also, please be advised that our Canada Customs Officers receive no specific training in the area that you are seeking information about. They are, in fact, allowed to make idiotic decisions that bear no consequences. Some of these decisions are actually made because the specific Officer 'Doesn't Like Guns". We call this a DLG Denial and this decision carries the full weight of law but has no actual bearing on actual regulations in effect.
Please be advised that I, and a huge number of ill-quallified people, are paid a great deal of money to be able to run this system and pass on this valuable information. We're a bit worried at the present time that the new conservative government has seen through our activities and we humbly ask that you begin a ground swell campaign of public support in our favour in order to keep the valuable service that we provide in place.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
scruffie wrote:What a bloody pile of crap. All it takes is one person in how many different agencies to say no and your hooped? Biggest pile of bafflegab that I've heard in a while. Every agency in their own little power struggle.
I was told by one Custom Agent. "NOPE! MY DECISION IS FINAL. YOU WON'T BE GETTING YOUR CP88 OVER THE BORDER."
One year later and a crap load of letters quoting the Firearm Book regarding "replic-firearms" specifications I GOT MY DAMN CP88.
'Nuff said...
Norman
Holding anger is like drinking poison and expecting your enemy to die.
Info
Hi guys just came back from a trip to Fort Lauderdale , with my wife and baby , while the wife was shopping I had a chance to shop around for myself 
. I went into a gunshop and asked if he carried and P3 he advised me that he did not have any stock , but he could order it for me , and have it to me before I left to come back home , I said okay and in 2 days I had the P3 in my hands .
I was a bit worried abot bringing it back home but I said whats the worst that could happen they take it from me cavity search me and my family so checked in to US for my flight home asked them if I had to delcare my Air Gun the girl at the check counter had no idea what to answer she directed me to TSA ( airport security ) which said no problem. I filled out the custom card on the plane declared my fire arm , landed proceeded to Canada Customs were the agent asked me about my fire arm , I advised her it was an air gun, she said, i WOULD HAVE TO GET THE AIRGUN LOOKED AT i SAID OKAY .
I went to the next agent gave him my card he asked me a few questions about the gun , showed him the specs on the box he typed some information in on his computer , showed the box to his Boss came back and said this is not a replica right I agreed with him and asked him if he wanted to see it , he said sure , his reply was nice looking gun your free to go and thanks for being honest , it was that simple , or it could have been my wife's mini skirt
Fallen
. I went into a gunshop and asked if he carried and P3 he advised me that he did not have any stock , but he could order it for me , and have it to me before I left to come back home , I said okay and in 2 days I had the P3 in my hands .I was a bit worried abot bringing it back home but I said whats the worst that could happen they take it from me cavity search me and my family
so checked in to US for my flight home asked them if I had to delcare my Air Gun the girl at the check counter had no idea what to answer she directed me to TSA ( airport security ) which said no problem. I filled out the custom card on the plane declared my fire arm , landed proceeded to Canada Customs were the agent asked me about my fire arm , I advised her it was an air gun, she said, i WOULD HAVE TO GET THE AIRGUN LOOKED AT i SAID OKAY .I went to the next agent gave him my card he asked me a few questions about the gun , showed him the specs on the box he typed some information in on his computer , showed the box to his Boss came back and said this is not a replica right I agreed with him and asked him if he wanted to see it , he said sure , his reply was nice looking gun your free to go and thanks for being honest , it was that simple , or it could have been my wife's mini skirt
Fallen