What to Declare when travelling to or from Canada?

[2rocky]

In preparation for my father's hunting trip in Alberta, he cautioned me that I may want to register my high value items such as Binoculars, so as not to have to pay import duty on them when we return to the states. Is this really a concern?

 

[huntin24/7]

This isn’t a major concern, but you can just stop at the u.s. port on your way north and fill out a form 4457 for your gun. You can add high dollar items to it if you’d like, but that’s not something I’d worry about much.

 

[Mallardsx2]

We just got back traveling with our bows and gear. We flew into Edmonton and had 0 issues. It was actually a very good experience going in both directions. The guys traveling with guns didn't appear to have any difficulties. Be respectful and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[GoGriz]

I went through last fall and had no issue at all. I told them what I was hunting and they didn’t ask anything further about what I was brining back.

 

[Dubz337]

Alberta is great about bringing things back and forth, I wouldnt worry too much.

 

[cookchris]

How did it go? How long did it take you to get your visa in total? Where did you apply for it? I’ve been researching the process, and it seems like the wait times can vary depending on the type of visa and where you apply. I came across this website https://formulaireavecanada.fr/ and was wondering if it’s legit. Is that the official one? There are so many different websites offering visa applications, and I honestly don’t understand anymore.

 

[Trial153]

I have never declared any of my optics. hasn’t been an issue

 

[SaskHunter]

Canadians aren't the boogeymen some are making us out to be.

Check what you can and cannot bring ahead of time, have proper paperwork for firearms, declare what you have and have a fun trip. I regularly cross the border with guns, ammo and game meat, with no issues. I have my paperwork in order, am prepared and declare everything. Being ready always saves you time at the border.

Registering high value items is usually a concern when returning to your home country so that you have proof that you didn't buy it there and are not busting your duty free limits.

 

[2rocky]

How did it go?

Went Fine. US agents wanted to see the paperwork that Dad filled out beforehand. Mainly the gun stuff. Had 4 coolers of meat . BP looked at 2 of them.

 

[Trial153]

I bet i have done 30 hunts in Canada, the people, the country all top notch. Nothing but helpful and friendly…well except the frenchies but …even a few of them okay in my book.

 

[kodiakisland]

Canada wants to know about beer and tobacco. US wants to know about guns and meat. Don't worry about anything else.

 

[xgener]

When I crossed at the abbostford crossing December 2023, I will share a story. I know some of it is definately my fault. I was moving to Fairbanks and already spend two days in Seattle getting my expediated passport and stressing about parking my 5 x 8 cargo trailor at a motel. When I pulled up to the entrance station I declared where I was going and that I had five bolt action rifles. Totally spacing three suppressors were attached (my fault). The border persons went out to my vehicle and tore everything apart in the vehicle and trailor. Then they came back in and promptly arrested me accusing me of being an arms dealer.

I was put into a holding cell. Talked to a Canadian laywer over the phone, etc. I could hear the guys slapping high five to each other outside the cell like they busted a huge crime faction. Finally they asked me what I would like to do. I told them I want to talk to the American consulate. Wow, things sped up after that. I was given my shoes and belt back, and told to wait in the waiting area. After three or fours I was told I would be fined five hundred dollars and allowed to keep my rifles. As I was signing papers and such I could see my suppressors and asked what was their fate. They told me they were going to keep them and shred them (i think he was lying).

One more issue (my fault) was I had an empty 30 round magazine for sporting rifle they found (i lived in Idaho for the last twenty years no one cared if I had forgotten about empty magazines in my jeep, and yes before I left I checked for things like this, I just missed it). But it opened another hour of questions. They really wanted to know where my ar's and pistols were. I left them at a friends house and they insisted on knowing who, until I asked to speak with the american consulate again.

So now to the point that pissed me off. As I was leaving and the border person told me if I would have told them at the entrance point I had suppressors, they would of allowed me to turn around and go back to the US side and deal with the issue. But since after I told them I had firearms and then they guided me the two hundred feet to the inspection area, I was two hundred feet to far into Canada and that made me an arms dealer. I think it was crimenal enterprise. I sat there after being let out of jail .....................just a break, had to step outside to take a leak. The northern lights tonight south of chena marina are intense.......... and watched cart after cart of "confiscated items" being taken from folks crossing the border.

I know I am to blame for most of it, I get it.... its their country. (A four day drive through the Cassiar and AlCan to think about it) But it puts a stain on government beaucrats. I played my junior hockey in BC in '88, '89' and '90. I am still part of my Canadian billets family. Most of the folks on the trip to Fairbanks were genuine Canadians that I had always known and loved (except Whitehorse, a............les in that town)

But just a silly story. Oh and by the way I had a DUI in 2012 (plead no contest) and it never surfaced through all this

 

[xgener]

Couple of pictures of my journey through Canada and into Tok.

 

[kodiakisland]

The 12 times I’ve taken guns into Canada, not one single time did anyone want to look at them. Park, bring paperwork in, pay tax.

 

[xgener]

understand, just posting my story on my move to Fairbanks

 

[Sytes]

In preparation for my father's hunting trip in Alberta, he cautioned me that I may want to register my high value items such as Binoculars, so as not to have to pay import duty on them when we return to the states. Is this really a concern?

The saying, "Better to have and not need than to need and not have" fits.

If you have receipts w/serial #'s listed that present purchased in the States OR if you look up the year, make, and model and it is "Made in America" or Canada/Mexico, pre 2025 "Don't worry about it" is accurate. Do not confuse corporate HQ for manufacture location.

Easiest way to avoid for the current and future temporary export/import:

Form 4457 - Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad

Securing America's Borders

www.cbp.gov

Stop in the CBP U.S. side and bring in your portion of the form completed. You can list multiple items on one form so long as all items are present to examine for CBP to complete the form.

Once completed by CBP, this form may be used for future temporary export/import for the U.S. in your possession.

 

[SaskHunter]

Canada wants to know about beer and tobacco. US wants to know about guns and meat. Don't worry about anything else.

Canada most definitely wants to know about the guns you're bringing in.

Many Americans cluelessely assume they can stroll through the border with CCWs and undeclared firerams. Not worth the charges or trouble.

Find the right forms, submit them ahead of time and transport your firearms in accordance with our laws, and you will be fine!

 

[SaskHunter]

I bet i have done 30 hunts in Canada, the people, the country all top notch. Nothing but helpful and friendly…well except the frenchies but …even a few of them okay in my book.

All jokes aside, Quebecers are some of the nicest people in Canada and they have the highest bilingualism %.

Old Quebec city is worth a visit, walking around the old narrow cobble stones streets, having dinner in an old 17th century building and eating some solid food!

I've never understood the American aversion to French Canadians. They're the only Canadians who directly assisted you in your war of independance.

 

[Trial153]

All jokes aside, Quebecers are some of the nicest people in Canada and they have the highest bilingualism %.

Old Quebec city is worth a visit, walking around the old narrow cobble stones streets, having dinner in an old 17th century building and eating some solid food!

I've never understood the American aversion to French Canadians. They're the only Canadians who directly assisted you in your war of independance.

I have no issues with French Canadians for any Canadians for that matter. I have been to every province and they all been fantastic with fantastic people.

 

[SaskHunter]

I have no issues with French Canadians for any Canadians for that matter. I have been to every province and they all been fantastic with fantastic people.

Except the frenchies?