Thread: Importing firearms from Canada

I'm wanting to buy a rifle from a private individual in Canada and have it shipped to NZ, I did this about ten years ago but the company in Canada who did all the work for me seems to have disappeared.

Does anyone know anything?

I need to the same , .. the owner has a few forms to fill out , stating the firearm is leaving Canada forever , then ships it , ...I have an email trail from the AO over there , will copy and paste it

I am in the process of doing it myself as relocating back to NZ after 20 years overseas,
import permit from NZ, and then apply for an export permit from Canada.

If anyone is interested I was In Prophet River Firearms, Lloydminster, Alberta on Tuesday, and Talked with the Owner (Clay), and they Can do Export to NZ, said NZ is easy, and they have shipped a few rifles over the years. They specialize in Import, and export to USA, as part of there business, as well as, lots very nice rifles and shotguns.
Clay did say trigger pull weight, had to be not to low, he sets at 3.5lbs or more as this is one of NZ customs requirements.

my mate has a nea ar15 , and is in etonia , or kindersly .... somewhere like that , he is offering to send to me , but doesn't know the forms or the legalitys the rcmp require , . I will get him to remove the pistol grip , so it can turn up as an "a" cat firearm ... do you know what needs to be done by him to allow it to leave the country ... im guessing this a restricted class firearm .. @southernman cheers

Thank you for your correspondence.

Unfortunately, there is no temporary licence that allows visitors to take possession of firearms while in Canada. The only options are to get a PAL or have the firearm exported (shipped).

If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us by e-mail or call our office at 1-800-731-4000. Thank you.


Rod, CFP Communications

Thank you for your correspondence.

In order to acquire (take ownership / physical possession) a firearm in Canada, you would need to have a Canadian Possession and Acquisition Licence for firearms. There is no other way for a visitor to Canada to acquire a firearm while in this country. More information for firearms users visiting Canada is available on our website at Firearm Users Visiting Canada - Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The Canadian owner could, however, export the firearm and have it shipped to you in New Zealand either before or after your trip. More information on exporting firearms is available on our website at Importing and Exporting Firearms (Individuals) - Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us by e-mail or call our office at 1-800-731-4000. Thank you.


Rod, CFP Communications

this is where I got up too , as I am in Canada in march next year , and thought I would just take it back with me ..... nope nope and nope

What is the cost and fuck-around factor involved in getting said PAL as a visitor to Canuckistan?

Edit: $60 or $80, depending on firearm category, plus a 'letter of good conduct' from local police. Dunno what the timeframe for issuing of PAL would be...

Originally Posted by stumpy

this is where I got up too , as I am in Canada in march next year , and thought I would just take it back with me ..... nope nope and nope

Stumpy, find out if the rifle is restricted in Canada, and what it will be in NZ, perhaps then email prophet river firearms, and see what the cost are for them to export to you, I have imported a couple rifles from USA and think $120 for all the paperwork etc.
Canada firearms licence might take a bit, esp if its restricted, (months), but if you start now it might work out for next year.

Stumpy,
I am struggling to work, threw all the paper work my self, sum of the info looks out of date as the web site for export, goes on about registration certifate, but long arms haven't need one for 5 years, after the current government cancelled the regeristy after wasting 2 billion $$$$$ , I will call them tomorrow, and update any info.
I may even be able to help get rile back if its not restricted, as shipping out seacan, with sum firearms, but not sure when, they will go, as getting time short for paperwork to arrive before first sea can leaves, (before Winter) ship the rest next Canadian summer. Depending on house sale/ and work etc.

cheers southerman .... as for getting a pal , you have to attend a firearms test , background checks , one month stand down , and all sorts of nonsense.... if you watched hunting aotearoa recently , the host was in Canada , and not once did he hold or shoot a any of the weapons , I reackon they didn't get their pal in time or realise just how hard it is to do it ....

I think all ar15s are restricted in Canada for civilian ownership , ie , range only no hunting etc etc .... not prohibited , just restricted

Originally Posted by stumpy

I think all ar15s are restricted in Canada for civilian ownership , ie , range only no hunting etc etc .... not prohibited , just restricted

Yep correct, I don't have a restricted, so cant transport your firearm back.
I had problems getting a licence, when I first came here, but it was also not long, after the mass killing at Ecole polytechnique, I have hunted ducks with plenty of yanks, I must ask them what the rules are, temp licence, or shooting with a Canadian licenced owner?
Email prophet river firearms, Lloydminster Alberta, I think at this point an licenced importer & exporter might be the best option,
Is your wife's family from Saskatchewan, I lived there for a year, not long after I came to Canada, Regina, hated the place, but liked, sum of the other parts of the proviance a lot,

Unfortunately prophet river firearms website says they no longer export and refers people to borderveiw,who's NZ agent has already told me he can't get stuff shipped from Canada. I have emailed borderveiw themselves now to double check this.

Thanks for the lead southernman

Originally Posted by stumpy

this is where I got up too , as I am in Canada in march next year , and thought I would just take it back with me ..... nope nope and nope

Apply for your PAL while you're there. They should post it to NZ.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by res

Unfortunately prophet river firearms website says they no longer export and refers people to borderveiw,who's NZ agent has already told me he can't get stuff shipped from Canada. I have emailed borderveiw themselves now to double check this.

Thanks for the lead southernman

Res,
I talked to the owner (clay) on Tuesday, 6th Oct, and he said he would ship rifles to me in New Zealand, if I needed, Perhaps its easy, as I have a CAD licence, he also stated that he had shipped several coopers and sako's to NZ, and that shipping with the barrel removed, was way cheaper, and that trigger pull could not be too light, he adjust them up to 3.5,lbs, think he said 500gr is the NZ min number,
So I don't know, seams to be different info about,
What are you after, I have sea cans, x2 coming back over next 12 months,