Customs seizures.

[Fuzy]

500 FPS and 5.7 Joules are the perameters for firearm classification.

[ShelledPants]

Originally Posted by Fuzy

500 FPS and 5.7 Joules are the perameters for firearm classification.

It can be (and has been) debated till the cows come home: There is no magic number for importation.

The airsoft gun could shoot 600fps, whistle dixie, while glowing in the dark and it'll still get seized and destroyed.

[mcguyver]

Originally Posted by Krymzon

I'm just putting my 2 cents but still, isn't it true that if your gun shoot more than 407 fps, if the CBSA take it, after the test they're suppose to give it back to you ?

Since 407 fps is the magic number between replica and firearm, IIRC.

Is that right ?

Yes, sort of, but with some clarification:

The 407 fps guideline is an RCMP Forensic Firearms item, and is not a CBSA policy specifically. During the years since C-68 came into force, there have been many folks who've attempted to import a replica. Only a few have proceeded with appeals all the way through the process to reach the CITT (Canadian International Trade Tribunal), and those decisions are available to the public. During the course of many decisions, the RCMP was contacted to provide expert testimony to determine if a gun was capable of causing serious bodily injury (hence the 407 fps with 0.22g BB or about 425 fps with 0.20g). This has been a benchmark that has divided nearly all airsoft guns from pellet guns and other legal airguns (regardless of their physical appearance).

Now, herein lies the problem. Many folks in this community have read HoJo's FAQ, and this info is in there and is no secret. For a guy who wants to spend $400 U.S. for example on a gun, and it gets seized, you only have 2 options. Appeal the seizure and be prepared for years and many $$$ before a decision is rendered, or cut your losses and walk away. Almost nobody takes the appeals route.

If you can guarantee 100% that your gun exceeds the 407 fps guideline, and would do so in testing without nuking itself, you are prepared to spend years having it tested, analyzed, and countless hours on appeals and perhaps even going to court if need be to get your $400 gun back, then by all means, import it. If there is any doubt to what I've said, read the CITT appeals, and you see what I mean. If you are not prepared to follow through with it, don't even start and order one from in Canada.

It really is that simple.

Read the FAQ.

[doomed marine]

dude, long and short, you can go ahead and try but generally it isnt advised. Do so at your own risk. If you do and it doesnt work out (most likely scenerio) dont ask for sympathy, the warnings are all over this site

My 2 cents.

[cbcsteve]

You may have heard of scenarios where

But I heard my friend did...

NO

Also to add that sure you may have heard from a friend of a friend who got lucky. But to gamble your hard earned especially in these economic times, you might as well buy 400 lottery tickets and hope to get lucky

[Shirley]

Can't you also get fined for bringing in the illegal goods?

[cbcsteve]

Originally Posted by Mr.Hitman

Can't you also get fined for bringing in the illegal goods?

No, CBSA simply sends you the dreaded letter from the Prohibited Importations Unit

3 Options Are Usually Given

1. Destroy the prohibited item after 90 Days
2. Send in your appeal (Mcguyver is on the money, takes a long time)
3. Find a Courier service than will accept shipment of prohibited unit to send it back where it came

Those are the options

Most of the time people choose option 1. if you are lucky to get a letter allowing option 3 you will still have to hunt down and pay extra fees for a courier to send it back. But that takes a long time too as you must find a courier who is willing to go to the CBSA building where it was kept pick it up at a designated time, and then sign off that they got it and are sending it back.

Shipping Fees upon fees will be on top of that

[L.S.J.S]

Originally Posted by Styrak

Buyairsoft does not have non-clear airsoft.

I actually just bought a J G Star Dragon from buyairsoft.ca and there is not a clear part on the gun! also this gun is sick! The rof is crazy..... stock with the 8.4 1100mah mini this is the best gun I have found to date....that is available for sale in Canada! other than private person to person deals

[cbcsteve]

Originally Posted by L.S.J.S

I actually just bought a J G Star Dragon from buyairsoft.ca and there is not a clear part on the gun! also this gun is sick! The rof is crazy..... stock with the 8.4 1100mah mini this is the best gun I have found to date....that is available for sale in Canada! other than private person to person deals

What the heck, I assume you are 18+

Plus the JG dragon looks nothing like a replica anyway

[L.S.J.S]

well im 29 but ya your right but under all that Ika Zuchi make up its a standard JG m4 carbine with a v2mech box

[L.S.J.S]

Originally Posted by L.S.J.S

well im 29 but ya your right but under all that Ika Zuchi make up its a standard JG m4 carbine with a v2mech box

clear or black isnt really the problem for me its that clear plastic is shit quality

[arcanuck]

Some will get through for sure but most won't, depends on who is on duty. Congrats!

[Moderate]

I was reading on some US websites that even replicas of "antique" firearms (1898 or before) are being seized by Canadian customs.

Also does anyone know the percentage of packages that are checked by customs? To date, I have never had anything opened by customs...although none of these packages contained guns or restricted items.

[cbcsteve]

Originally Posted by moderatesniper

I was reading on some US websites that even replicas of "antique" firearms (1898 or before) are being seized by Canadian customs.

Also does anyone know the percentage of packages that are checked by customs? To date, I have never had anything opened by customs...although none of these packages contained guns or restricted items.

Correct me if I am wrong but such sharing of knowledge would be illegal if it existed, but such knowledge does not exist because it is too random too record.

You are up against the following that make smuggling kind of hopeless

- Policy changes you don't know about, maybe the next month they open all packages in your postal code region or they just open all packages in general
- New hires may be more due diligent
- Veteran agents with knowledge of all Airsoft companies in US
- Agents who are specifically trained for targeting Airsoft importations

So in short we discourage such an act, cause its a gamble. And I know have heard the stories of lucky ones, the system is not perfect but when you do get caught you can be blacklisted in which they open EACH and every single of your package regardless if it says "Megatron Gift" it will get opened and it will get taxed.

[dragwindsor]

I saw someone have a seizure at the border once.

They put his wallet in his mouth so he didn't swallow his tongue.