Just a follow-up on this; I didn't have any issue purchasing the ammunition in PA. There was no issue at the border upon returning, although the border guard did ask how I got them to sell to me. I just reminded him that I'm an American citizen and that I purchased in PA and not NY. He said , "yeah, NY is pretty sticky".
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Citizenship and Legally Buying Ammo in the US
- Thread starter Skyanide
- Start date
US Citizen buying Ammo in Canada and coming back to the US
I've read the various threads. I am a US citizen and am wondering if I can buy ammo in Canada and then bring it back to the US (WA state). I see that to buy I'll have to get a PAL from Canada which is available for a $60 fee for 5 years and application, etc. My main question is when I come back into the US can I bring the ammo back? I asked a customs officer last week and he had no idea if I could or not. I reviewed the ATF site and I do not believe I would have to fill out Form 6 since I should not be considered an importer buying a box or 2 of 30-06 ammo but maybe I do have to do that. Any actual experience would be appreciated. Thx.
I've read the various threads. I am a US citizen and am wondering if I can buy ammo in Canada and then bring it back to the US (WA state). I see that to buy I'll have to get a PAL from Canada which is available for a $60 fee for 5 years and application, etc. My main question is when I come back into the US can I bring the ammo back? I asked a customs officer last week and he had no idea if I could or not. I reviewed the ATF site and I do not believe I would have to fill out Form 6 since I should not be considered an importer buying a box or 2 of 30-06 ammo but maybe I do have to do that. Any actual experience would be appreciated. Thx.
There are no FEDERAL laws restricting ammo purchases, especially since you're a US citizen. I don't think that there are any PA laws either. Your potential problem areas would be transporting the ammo through NY (unlikely to be a problem) and getting the ammo through Canadian customs.
You're in a better position to research Canadian import requirements than I am.
P.S. I'd do some shopping in advance to find a source of 300 Savage before I left.
You're in a better position to research Canadian import requirements than I am.
P.S. I'd do some shopping in advance to find a source of 300 Savage before I left.
I live in PA, and most stores do NOT check I.D. The big box stores may, but gun shops don't. In addition, ammunition is subject to the 6% state sales tax.
I would also be more concerned with Canadian Customs at the border upon the return trip, and travelling through NYS with anything related to guns.
I would also be more concerned with Canadian Customs at the border upon the return trip, and travelling through NYS with anything related to guns.
All ammunition purchases in Canada require you to show your PAL; unfortunately, getting a PAL is more involved than just filling out a form and paying the fee. At minimum. to obtain a PAL you must complete a safety course ($125) or challenge the course to write the exam ($40), then wait 2 weeks to get the certificate back. The you fill the form, including references, etc, send it in with the safety certificate and your money, then wait about 45 days for the PAL to be sent back. You're looking at about a $200ish investment to even get that far ...I've read the various threads. I am a US citizen and am wondering if I can buy ammo in Canada and then bring it back to the US (WA state). I see that to buy I'll have to get a PAL from Canada which is available for a $60 fee for 5 years and application, etc. My main question is when I come back into the US can I bring the ammo back? I asked a customs officer last week and he had no idea if I could or not. I reviewed the ATF site and I do not believe I would have to fill out Form 6 since I should not be considered an importer buying a box or 2 of 30-06 ammo but maybe I do have to do that. Any actual experience would be appreciated. Thx.
Thanks; I did source the ammo that I did end up purchasing in PA. I had absolutely no issue on returning to Canada; I showed them my PAL and I was good to go. They didn't even pull me in.There are no FEDERAL laws restricting ammo purchases, especially since you're a US citizen. I don't think that there are any PA laws either. Your potential problem areas would be transporting the ammo through NY (unlikely to be a problem) and getting the ammo through Canadian customs.
You're in a better position to research Canadian import requirements than I am.
P.S. I'd do some shopping in advance to find a source of 300 Savage before I left
Another trip they did ask to see the 2 magazines I picked up for my Tokarev TT-33; they were only wanting to know if it was under the 10-round limit Canada puts on handgun magazines. Again, they took a look, looked at my PAL, and sent me on my way.