How to get my ammo to AK during move? (Anchorage: transporting, house)

[DaninTN]

We are planning to move to the Soldotna area about mid June, I am a class 02 firearms manufacturer and have a large quantity of ammo as well as firearms to bring up. I have looked at the Canadian Govt. website and can't find the answers I need about ammo, several of the firearms I will be bringing with me will have to be shipped as they cannot be brought into Canada though they are legal in Ak.

My wife was born in Ak, thus it will be a homecoming for her, I have always wanted to live there, our daughter is 13, so she is ambivalent about the move. We are in the process of selling off excess stuff (junk) that we either won't need or can replace once we arrive. We will be making a trip up to buy a house as soon as we get at least part of our property here in Tn sold.

I have been reading different threads about moving to Ak, what to expect and so forth, but please feel free to chime in with any advice about moving, location, what not to bring, necessary items and such. TIA, Dan.

[stiffnecked]

Northland Services. They offer barge shipments from Seattle to Alaska. That's how I ship stuff. Look on their link under schedules and it will show when they sail to Anchorage.

Northland Services

[Moose Whisperer]

So you are driving through Canada?

You are allowed to bring up to 5000 rounds with you as long as you can prove you are transporting it to Alaska and not planning to sell it in Canada (otherwise you will be required to pay quite hefty duty and import taxes). I have made the trip a couple of times myself carrying exactly 4995 rounds! I only needed to declare it at the border crossing. There are also certain specific types of ammunition that are prohibited. For example, hollow points are permitted, but anything that can "penetrate body armor" such as steel-core is not allowed. I'm surprised you didn't find anything on their website, I know I have seen a page with some very detailed information on how to do this - I'll have a look around myself. You can also call Canadian Border Services on their 800 line. Believe it or not, but they are very polite and quite helpful - I've talked to them many times myself.

[Moose Whisperer]

Here's the link:

BSF5044 - Importing a Firearm or Weapon Into Canada

[Barkingowl]

What kinds of weapons do you manufacture?

[arctichomesteader]

Don't bring any handgun ammo into Canada.

[rotorhead]

I've personally transported thousand of rounds of ammunition through Canada three times now with no problems. The limit of five thousand rounds seems about right, but I was never inspected at the border and they never looked. The only thing they seemed concerned about was the amount of ammunition I had that would fit the shotgun I was also carrying through at the time. Taking the old Mossberg was a seperate form and a fee, but the extra ammo was no paperwork and no fee. If you're going to bring along a firearm, make sure it's in a caliber or gauge that you're not flush with ammo for, or there could be a problem.

I'd suggest you start shooting up those bricks of .22 ammo if you need to get down to 5k, or at least shoot up the el-cheapo stuff and keep the expensive rounds for the trip. If you're a reloader I'd also recommend that you stock up on componants, particularly primers, before you leave. They're easy to drive up, but the hazmat charges for shipping them up here is high. I probably wouldn't want to show up at the border with a hundred pounds of gunpowder, but a couple ammo boxes of primers goes a long way.

I've never heard of them giving problems with handgun ammo, but trying to get a handgun through Canada is another story...they're absolutely paranoid about those. You can still bring a rifle or shotgun with as long as they're not on the prohibited list, provided you fill out the right paperwork at the first Canadian border crossing. If you go that route, also bring along proof of ownership so that you don't have a problem getting it back into the US at the next border crossing. A proof of purchase is OK, or you can get another form at the US border station before leaving the country.

[Moose Whisperer]

Yes, I've never had any problems with handgun ammo, the regulations just say "small-arms, sporting ammunition". Last driving trip I brought two cases of 9mm luger and a case of 40 S&W among other things. The main issue is any special "types" of ammo the Canadians happen to be in a twist about at that time. For example, they didn't allow hollow points for many years, but recently dropped that restriction and started focusing on other specialty types such as teflon coated, etc. Best to actually call and talk to one of the Border Agents to get the latest info. Last time I called they even mentioned Dragon's Breath by name. Darn!

Also, the suggestion to make sure the ammo does not match any firearm you are transporting at the time makes sense too, though I've never taken a gun through myself. Just too much potential hassle. I always ship them separately.

Finally, even though you will be moving, you'll be going back regularly to visit family and friends. Stash whatever you don't ship or drive up with at a friend's house. Every time you fly back you are allowed up to 50 lbs of ammo in a checked bag on Alaska Airlines. A second bag is free for 1st class or MVP Gold, but even if you end up paying the $25, it's still cheaper than shipping on a common carrier with all of the inevitable hazmat fees.

[DaninTN]

Barkingrowl, my interest is mainly military style firearms, FAL's, AR's, AK's, 1919's, Garands, M1 Carbines and such. I also do refinish work, parkerizing, Dura Coat and such. Once I get my shop up and running I will offer barrel threading, suppressors and more.

Thanks again for all of your help, any other suggestions on moving , what not to bring and such will be greatly appreciated. Dan.

[Barkingowl]

Dan who's shipping all your heavy equipment? There are going to be plenty of folks in the Kenai who will be happy to have you amongst them.