Buying an airgun from Canada and shipping to U.S. in private sale?

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Tweeter

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Jun 13, 2018
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Maine, United States
I am wondering if anyone from the U.S. has ever bought an airgun in a private sale from Canada? I found an airgun that I have been looking for being sold on a Canadian classified site called Gunpost but am wondering how that works since it will obviously need to be shipped over the border if I buy it? I would hate to spend a good amount on something only to have it nabbed by customs lol.

Also, does anyone have any experience with the Gunpost website? Funny how I actually found this persons ad, I had posted a WTB ad here and on the Yellow and what I think was a scammer tried selling me the gun I wanted. When I googled the pictures he sent me it led me to this persons legit ad on gunpost. Scammers can be helpful I guess!

Any help would be appreciated because if there is any doubt about whether it can be shipped here then I will just pass on it.
 
This may or may not be helpful..

I live in Central/Upstate NY, so Canadians are my neighbors to the north..
Over the years, I have ordered all sorts of things from there.
[mostly high end camera/photo equipment from private sellers]
They have their own postal service, the items get delivered to the border, 
things are inspected, then forwarded on.. Just like how China uses DHL, 
then DHL doing 'hand offs' to UPS or the USPS
I have never had any issues, but, I have experienced a bit of an extra wait - with customs.
Usually there is no way to live-track that in real time, so it is always a bit nerve-racking 
but again.. other than that, no issue..

Now for air rifles..

I just recently imported an air rifle from the Netherlands to the US [NY]

It was up to me / the seller to provide id / age verification [not the case with private sellers]
Since air rifles are not 'regulated firearms', there should not be any issues with customs..

In my case, customs in the Netherlands had the rifle held up for a few days..
Then when it arrived here in the US, our customs also had the gun, and forwarded it immediately.

As long as the items [airgun] is Legal [and it is] there should be no issues.
As long as two countries are still allowed to ship back/forth there should be no issues.

In this case, you should be good to go.

The only thing I'd recommend doing is confirming the seller 100%
Also, try to cover your payment and/or fully insure the delivery.

Best of luck!

Sam -

 
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Wow, thanks for that great response Sam! I wonder if paypal will cover a sale like this? I've read conflicting reports about whether they will cover a transaction involving an airgun period but the seller did say that he was happy to accept paypal. I have only texted with him over the phone but from looking at the site he has been a member there for a year and a half and it even shows his address (not that someone couldn't fake it I suppose). He also said in his first text to me that he still had it and had no problem selling and shipping it to the U.S. but said he wasn't sure if it would make it through customs so we both agreed to do some research. I will also give him a call and talk to him personally before buying. It's only a couple hundred bucks but dang it I work for that money and I don't want to lose it lol! The airgun I am looking for is a Limited edition Colt (Umarex) pistol so they are hard to come by otherwise I would just find one closer to home. Here is a link to the ad:

https://www.gunpost.ca/airgun-airsoft/pistols/williams-lake/limited-edition-colt-1911-combat-vet-bb-co2-blowback-pistol
 
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You're very welcome, and I'm glad the info might have helped out a bit..
If anything, hopefully it eased a bit of worry.. I know how it goes..

Paypal - Ahhh I've had so many hit/miss experiences with them, that who knows..
I do have a positive involving them and an air rifle purchase though!

I placed an order with AirgunsOfArizona, and used my regular credit card..
Nope. Something went wrong. I'm in NY, the CC company saw a manual transaction in AZ, and flagged it.
I had to call, confirm and okay the transaction, and have them run it again.. Nope.. Same thing..

As my last option, I used my Paypal 'debit' card. It is linked to my Paypal balance, then pulls from my checking.
Success! And with that, there is buyer protection. So in my case, yes, I was covered.

It sounds like the seller is the real deal, and glad you'll be chatting over the phone.. Good deal..

I checked out the Colt / Umarex pistol - That's really cool!
And yes, I understand all too well about working hard for $ and wanting to have things work out 100%.
I've been scammed in the past, and it is a horrible feeling and experience..

Aside from that though.. Here's another tip for you guys..
Since the gun looks very authentic, it would be easier to be mistaken for a 'real' firearm..
He might want to make a very visible label or note inside of the box, that customs can see Before they see the gun..
That way, they'll have a bit of a heads-up first.. Same deal - hoping to ease any worries..

*Thumbs Up*

Sam -
 
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Shouldn't be an issue,just make sure seller fills out paper work accurately(exactly item=pellet rifle). Also just have mindset of ,can you afford the loss($$) if something should happen(ie,bad seller,item sent back to seller via customs). Sure there maybe recourse but plan for worst out come since its technically outta country.

I've never had issues. Good luck
 
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Shouldn't be an issue,just make sure seller fills out paper work accurately(exactly item=pellet rifle). Also just have mindset of ,can you afford the loss($$) if something should happen(ie,bad seller,item sent back to seller via customs). Sure there maybe recourse but plan for worst out come since its technically outta country.

I've never had issues. Good luck
Click to expand...

Thanks Bud! Yeah if it was a $2000 pcp then there is no way I would even attempt it but if it does end up going south I can recover from a $200 hit. Just rather avoid that is all.
 
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