Canadian travel agent

[lcq]

I received these emails before my trip last year and carry them with me. The CBP response is what I have experienced both times. Cleared in Canada, reclaimed and re checked in Atlanta + boots being sprayed. Easy and painless, this isn't JFK. or London

From: DDTC Response Team <DDTCResponseTeam@state.gov>
Date: March 30, 2015 at 10:30:20 AM EDT
To: me , DDTC Response Team <DDTCResponseTeam@state.gov>
Subject: LP RE: Firearm transiting

There has been a great deal of misinformation about this issue over the past week or so. In fact, there are no new licensing requirements for the temporary export or transit of firearms. However, it is possible that Customs is implementing new procedures for recording these movements; you would need to contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection to verify.

Kirk Bennett
DDTC Response Team


From: "CBP INFO Center<customs@customs-mail.custhelp.com>" <customs@customs-mail.custhelp.com>
Date: February 3, 2014 at 4:54:21 PM EST
To:me
Subject: Hi, I will be leaving Ottawa Canada on a hunting trip in South Africa. Ottawa --... [Incident: 140128-001279]
Reply-To: "CBP INFO Center<customs@customs-mail.custhelp.com>" <customs@customs-mail.custhelp.com>



Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

If this issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may reopen it within the next 7 days.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.


Subject

Hi, I will be leaving Ottawa Canada on a hunting trip in South Africa. Ottawa --...


Discussion Thread

Response Via Email (Mark)

02/03/2014 04:54 PM

Dear me,
You will be OK if you transit the US, and the firearm is in your checked bags. You do not need a permit. You will probably be pre-cleared by CBP officers in Ottawa when you go to South Africa, and they will check the information. On the return journey you need to claim your bags in Atlanta, go through CBP, and then re-check for the flight to Canada. I hope this helps.

Mark

CBP ports:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

CBP pre-clearance locations
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/preclearance/preclear_locations.xml

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) INFO Center.

If you have any other questions or would like clarification on this response, please feel free to contact us either by calling our toll free number 877 CBP-5511 (227-5511) or if calling from outside the United States our toll number 202-325-8000 and speak with a Public Information Officer. Our hours of operation are Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM Eastern Time.

Please note that in our online tracking software, a “Solved” status simply means that we have provided you with the best information we have to your question. There may still be steps you need to complete before your situation is resolved to your satisfaction. Those steps are explained in our response. If you need further clarification on those steps, please feel free to contact us back.

This email is intended for Informational Purposes Only, final determination of admission is solely at the discretion of the CBP Officer based upon the inspection at the time of entry.

 

[BRICKBURN]

My favourite part of the first reply from State: "In fact, there are no new licensing requirements for the temporary export or transit of firearms."
Of course there are no new requirements, the law is old.

Then the CYA statement: "However, it is possible that Customs is implementing new procedures..."

With help like that, who needs enemies.

At least the CBP actually made a statement that was useful.


Thanks for sharing these replies. They at least reinforce the responses I was given 6 years ago.

 

[Hank2211]

I add my thanks to Wayne's. While I won't be going through the US any time soon, if I end up going that way, a copy of these will go with me!

 

[lcq]

My favourite part of the first reply from State: "In fact, there are no new licensing requirements for the temporary export or transit of firearms."
Of course there are no new requirements, the law is old.

Then the CYA statement: "However, it is possible that Customs is implementing new procedures..."

With help like that, who needs enemies.

At least the CBP actually made a statement that was useful.


Thanks for sharing these replies. They at least reinforce the responses I was given 6 years ago.

State is the equivalent of our Foreign Affairs so the butt covering response is not unexpected. I was cleared in Mtl by the same CBP guy two years in a row. Quick, polite and professional, same on the way home in Atlanta. Can't ask for more. A very pleasant surprise was our guy in Mtl. he asked how I did on my hunt as opposed to be given the hairy eyeball by a tofu eating whale petter.