Crossing the border.

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bthest86

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I´ve been in Mexico since May with my fiancee and heading back home for while after we tie the knot. Anyway my fiancee´s father used to own some pistols eons ago before he sold them and he has given me some of the left overs: a nice leather shoulder-rig for a revolver and a nice plastic case for a Berretta (I don´t own a Berretta but I hope to someday and I´d want the box) No magazines, cartridges, parts, casings, etc. Just the holster and plastic case.

Anyway do any of you guys think that customs will give me grief over having these things if they inspect my car at the border? Are they worth bringing them back with me? Yeah I´ll probably end up doing it anyway but I´d like to hear some imput and suggestions from this excellent internet forum.
 
Bring them back, but don't be too surprised if they take your car apart looking for the guns that go with the holster and box.:eek:
I know Canada will do that based on finding a fired case under a seat.:mad:
 
Any chance you could just send them home ahead of your drive? Might be worth it if it avoids a possible headache.
 
I could do that though I hear Mexican mail services have massive rates of theft and losses. I´d hate to loose them.
 
I used to live on the border. I'd mail it and take my chances that way. I've seen people's cars getting torn apart and it's no picnic for the drivers.

Sure, they may wave you on through after a quick ID check, but why risk it over a $20 box & an old holster?
 
Shouldn't be a problem. Fed-Ex, UPS, or the back seat of the car, no big deal. A lot of the guys in my gun club go across the border to get leather work done and bring back holsters, belts, and such. They may notice the Beretta case but it shouldn't be a big deal.
 
I went on a shoping trip to Tijunia (spell check) and me and a fellow brought gun cases we bought across and we never got asked a single thing. Of course we had to get off the bus and walk across and meet the bus on the other side. That was also a couple of years ago.
 
I would declare them when the CBP officer asks you what you're bringing back. You should anyway. The items are a plastic box and a holster neither is subject to any kind of restrictions. I haven't been to the Mexican Border since 1995 but every craft shop sold a variety of holsters and gun cases which many Americans bought and brought back. They are considered handicrafts just like baskets, blankets, and wood carvings. As far as I remember (this may have changed) handicrafts are not subject to duty.

As long as you have nothing illegal you have nothing to worry about.
 
Make sure you put them in plain sight. When the customs agent asks questions, make sure you shift your eyes and lick your lips constantly. Begin every sentence with "uhhh" and take at least 3 minutes to pick up the thread. Please remember to sweat profusely. When asked to exit the car, please cast furtive glances at the trunk and mumble... "hate the smell..." "shouldn't have done that..." "what will mother think..."

In between the half insane rumbles yell about your rights.
 
mbt2001 said:
Make sure you put them in plain sight. When the customs agent asks questions, make sure you shift your eyes and lick your lips constantly. Begin every sentence with "uhhh" and take at least 3 minutes to pick up the thread. Please remember to sweat profusely. When asked to exit the car, please cast furtive glances at the trunk and mumble... "hate the smell..." "shouldn't have done that..." "what will mother think..."

In between the half insane rumbles yell about your rights.
Click to expand...
+ Eleven billion!

That was priceless! I was apparently just heard laughing clear across the house!
 
Much ado about nothing. Too many people read the internet and watch TV.

By the way, congrats on the marriage. Best wishes for both of you. I bet she's a good cook and you'll have years of happiness.
 
They don't have UPS....

in Mexico?
Click to expand...

Not where I´m at no. According to UPS.com the closest hub is a five hour drive. Here you have to ship packages via passenger bus.
 
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You're right about the Mexican mail....things disappear. My son was in Mexico City for four years and we learned always to use UPS and FedEx.

Last month he came home through the border at Eagle Pass in a fully stuffed Ford Ranger with Mass. plates and they didn't even look inside the cap. But there were sniffer dogs everywhere.

Tinpig
 
I am AMAZED that there are still people in America that believe that

Please relate verifiable instances of CBP inspectors arresting people for no reason. They can search your car and you without any kind of reason (Boyd vs US, 1886). There is plenty of people to arrest crossing the Mexican border who are doing something wrong to enhance arrest and seizure statistics.

ps You can quote Justice Jackson but failing to make a declaration to Customs Officers will get you in trobule.
 
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At least you get to cross a border with US Border people. They understand the english language. I refuse to cross into Canada at a small border station anymore. Last time was in 1976 and that learnt me quick.
 
Honestly, If I *had* to bring that stuff back, I'd just walk it across and let my wife drive the car and pick me up across the border.

Searching a person takes alot less time than searching a car.
 
On the flip side of the Border (Canada), I just had an interesting experience.

Moved our guns via an FFL transfer (since we were driving a big U-haul and truck to AK and you can't get to AK except through Canada). However we brought our max allowance of Ammo 5k/vehicle.

Oh Joy...

"Anything to declare" Yup, got 5000 rounds of ammo, here's the list

"Didn't you're wife have 5000 rounds too?" Yup, 5000 rounds per vehicle all legit none banned in Canada.

"Can you pull over?" Sure

So an hour was spent on the border while they checked the vehicles, they freaked at some 30 round Stanag magazines

"Why do you have AR magazines?" They're not AR magazines they're Stanag magazines used by many Military rifles not just the AR/M16

"Do you have an AR?" Nope, I have a Robinson XCR

"Are you transporting it with you?" Nope it's item 3 on the list of firearms I gave you a second ago that shows us doing an FFL transfer from WA to Fairbanks.

"So you don't have an Assault Rifle?" If you could explain to me what an assault rifle is I'd be happy to tell you whether I own one. I can absolutely say I do not have any firearm either the U-Haul or Truck.

"Why do you own so many guns?" I don't if you think I own a lot of guns you should see some of my friends collections, and I don't have them with me so why are you asking me this question?

"Why do you have so many rounds?" 10k rounds mixed ammunition isn't that much, I contacted Canadian Customs and they told me that I could bring in 5k per vehicle.

Much hatred...
 
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