How do I get my guns to Alaska?

[EZ CZ75]

I had an interview yesterday for a job in Alaska and it went very well. If all goes well then I will be moving very soon. That being said, I have heard that transporting guns through Canada can be a hassle as well as shipping FFL to FFL can be expensive. Is anybody familiar with driving their firearms accross the border and should I expect trouble from either end?

Lastly, the job is in Valdez. Any info I should know before moving?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Lupinus]

driving them through canada is going to be a no go to my knowlage. I believe it is perfectly legal though to mail them to yourself, I may be wrong and you might wanna let others chime in on that though before doing so.

 

[Finch]

It is my understanding that you can just ship them to your residence in Alaska. I do not belive an FFL transfer is nessecary because you are not transfering ownership of the weapons, just the location. Besure to cheak out each shipping companies firearms policy before you do though. I think that would be the cheapest and most hassle free method. But this is all assuming you're driving through Canada. If you fly, then you just pack them as luggage.

DHL
EDIT - Nevermind them: "Firearms
(Parts thereof including paintball, pellet guns, air rifles, etc.).
Domestic (USA) transportation only from and to licensed dealers.
Domestic firearms must be rendered mechanically not fireable.
Not permitted to be sent outside the U.S."

FedEx
FedEx Express can only accept and deliver firearms between areas served in the U.S. under the following conditions: (1) you agree to tender shipments of firearms to us only when either the shipper or recipient is a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, licensed dealer or licensed collector and is not prohibited from making such shipments by local, state or federal regulations; (2) the shipper and recipient must be of legal age as identified by applicable state law.

Firearms must be shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight service. FedEx cannot ship or deliver firearms C.O.D. or with a signature release. Upon presenting the package for shipment, the person tendering the shipment to FedEx is required to notify the FedEx employee who accepts the package that the package contains a firearm. The outside of the package must not be marked, labeled or otherwise identify that the package contains a firearm. Firearms shipments cannot be placed in a FedEx Express Drop Box.

You also agree not to ship loaded firearms or firearms with ammunition in the samepackage. Ammunition is an explosive and must be shipped separately as dangerous goods. The shipper and recipient are required to comply with all applicable government regulations and laws, including those pertaining to labeling. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can provide assistance.

UPS
Special Procedures for Shipping Firearms
Use These UPS Services for Your Firearm Shipment
Firearms will be transported only between licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors, as defined in the United States Gun Control Act of 1968, law enforcement agencies of the United States or of any department or agency thereof and law enforcement agencies of any state or department agency, or political subdivision thereof, and between persons not otherwise prohibited from shipping firearms by federal, state or local law and when such shipment complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws.

* You must ship your packages that contain handguns with UPS Next Day Air Early A.M.®, UPS Next Day Air®, or UPS Next Day Air Saver® services
* Your packages that contain firearms will not be accepted for shipment at UPS Drop Boxes, with UPS SonicAir® service, at locations of The UPS Store or any third-party retailer, or with international services.


Follow These Packing Requirements

* Your packages that contain handguns must be separated from other packages being delivered to UPS
* Ammunition cannot be included in your packages that contain firearms (including handguns)


About Documentation and Labeling

* When you are shipping your package that contains a firearm with UPS, you must affix a UPS label requesting an adult signature upon delivery


Getting Your Firearm Shipment to UPS

* You can only ship your package that contains a firearm from UPS daily pickup accounts and through UPS Customer Centers
* When you are shipping a package that contains a handgun, you must verbally notify the UPS driver or UPS Customer Center clerk
* You can use UPS daily pickup accounts to ship firearms, not including handguns, through UPS Internet Shipping, UPS On-Call PickupSM, and One-Time Pickup
* Your packages that contain firearms will not be accepted for shipment at UPS Drop Boxes, with UPS SonicAir® service, at locations of The UPS Store or any third-party retailer, or with international services
* See the terms and conditions in the UPS Tariff for shipping firearms

 

[unspellable]

Driving to Alaska via Canada

Years ago you could dirve to Alaska via Canada towing a trailer with firearms and other household goods in it. The Canadian authorties would put a seal on it and God help you if they caught you opening th trailer. I don't know if this is still the case or not.

I'd go broke shipping my collection via fed Ex. Be cheaper to charter a boat or plane.

 

[buzz_knox]

There's a ferry that heads that way. I don't remember the cost.

You might consider contacting Canadian Customs. They probably deal with such issues on a somewhat regular basis.

 

[ARTiger]

Good 'ol USPS. . . Just package them well and send insured parcel post.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

If you do take the ferry, the rates drop from September to May each year. You are able to transport firearms as long as the ferry doesn't stop in Canada. There are several ferries that depart Northern Washington state and arrive in Valdez, Juneau, or Seward Alaska. I shipped my firearm up via Alaska Airlines but I only brought one. They do have a limit (4 or 5 pistols and 2 rifles/shotguns). Never heard of mailing them to yourself, might want to look that one up. The Canadian government does allow rifles and shotguns through the border but you have to purchase permits for each one. That can be as expensive as shipping them up via another method. Good luck and have a great time in Alaska. You will love it here!

 

[wqbang]

I believe the ferry departs from Bellingham, WA. I also remember my friend saying that it is a 3 day ferry ride.

 

[Hoppy590]

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b10

(B10) May a person who is relocating out of State move firearms with other household goods? [Back]


Yes. A person who lawfully possesses a firearm may transport or ship the firearm interstate when changing his or her State of residence.

Certain NFA firearms must have prior approval from the Bureau of ATF before they may be moved interstate. The person must notify the mover that firearms are being transported. He or she should also check State and local laws where relocating to ensure that movement of firearms into the new State does not violate any State law or local ordinance.

[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(4) and 922(e), 27 CFR 478.28 and 478.31]

i suppose logic would state you can just UPS/Mail them to yourself as if they were a box of dishes or other house hold goods. use Finch's guide to make sure you follow all the other rules

added :

(B9) May a nonlicensee ship firearms interstate for his or her use in hunting or other lawful activity? [Back]


Yes. A person may ship a firearm to himself or herself in care of another person in the State where he or she intends to hunt or engage in any other lawful activity. The package should be addressed to the owner. Persons other than the owner should not open the package and take possession of the firearm.

 

[MattB]

Might want to break them up and ship them in parts to yourself. Then take the receivers etc with you. Since they are technically not guns you should be able to go through Canada. All parts would be shipped as regular machined parts. Just make to ensure the parts for the replacement value of the gun.

 

[mp510]

Might want to break them up and ship them in parts to yourself. Then take the receivers etc with you. Since they are technically not guns you should be able to go through Canada. All parts would be shipped as regular machined parts. Just make to ensure the parts for the replacement value of the gun.

In the USA and Canada frames and recieveers are considered firearms.

 

[Bob R]

When I was contemplating a move to Alaska, I looked into the different ways of getting my guns there.

Because of the number I have, the best way for me was to do the ferry from Bellingham. You have to pick your route carefully. There are many places that you can get off where you still have to go through Canada to get to Alaska.

What worked for me was Bellingham to Juneau where I would spend the night. The next day I would take a ferry from Juneau to Homer. After that it was just a short jaunt to Anchorage.

If the ferry system is the same, you will need to spend several hours to overnight somewhere other than Valdez so that you can catch the ferry and not have to set foot in Canada.

You can figure a route here: https://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html . This may be your best bet to get there. Take a tent, camp on deck, enjoy the adventure.

bob

 

[MD_Willington]

Firearm Users Visiting Canada:

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/visitin_e.asp

All the info is there.. fill out the forms and drive through BC to Alaska...

 

[Bob R]

As long as you don't have any prohibited firearms, you should be able to transport through Canada. When I was looking at that, the restrictions were such that the ferry was my best bet.

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/r&p_e.asp

You may want to talk to the Canadian authorities to get the latest info on what you can and can't do. Don't forget about any hi-cap mags you may have. You may not be able to transport them through the country.

bob

 

[EZ CZ75]

The response has been greater and more helpful than I had hoped. Thanks for all the info. I should know next week whether or not the job is mine, but who wouldn't want to hire me?

 

[kludge]

oops, repost.

 

[wdlsguy]

Mere mortals are not allowed to mail handguns, those need to go via common carrier (FedEx, UPS, et cetera).

Here mortals are allowed to mail rifles and shotguns. They can also go via common carrier.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b7

P.S. Isn't it time we got rid of the stupid restriction against mailing handguns?

 

[Texasred]

I WOULD KNOW

About a 2 years ago when I got out of highschool, I was a household mover.
If you plan to move the rest of your stuff via truck it should be no problem at all. The guns are simply taken as inventory and moved like a lamp or a couch. There's no buts about it once the trailer loaded its sent and thats it.

 

[grizz]

Use the guns to get through Canadian security . Nah, just kiddin, E. I think you can take rifles and shotguns through, but have to ship handguns. I'll ask my buddy, Gabe who had to do this a few years ago.

For Valdez: Buy Gore-Tex (hat, pants, jacket, gloves, etc.)

 

[rogersfreda]

It's easy, but you have to plan ahead; 2 weeks to a month because B.C. is backloged. There is no problem transporting rifles and shotguns, but you need a weiver for your hanfguns.

Call the List of Chief Firearms Officers - Royal Canadian Mounted Police-List of Chief Firearms Officers at:

1 800-731-4000 ext.- 9530

And ask them to email you the weiver foarm / document to transport handguns across British Columbia. Print it out, fill it in, and mail it back ( to the B.C. address). It will take 2 to 4 weeks to get your weiver.

I hope this has helped everyone.
Cheers;
Fred Rogers

 

[paintballdude902]

take the ferry up the inside passage?

 

[bearman49709]

I think in the 6 1/2 years since this was last replied to he may have walked them there.:banghead:

 

[Boxhead]

TFF. Might even be retired by now.

 

[joeschmoe]

lol
Funny necro post.

 

[goon]

I shipped mine to myself via UPS.
It is legal to ship your guns to yourself at another person's address (or your own) in another state as long as you are the one who opens the package and actually takes possession of them.


Oops... didn't see the original post date.