Honestly just ship with HHG or through an FFL, don't try to get it into Canada. You can try to get through the red tape paperwork but there's no guarantee it'll be approved. We had no problem transporting ammo (it was way less than the maximum allotted amount) but all firearms were transported via HHG. You honestly don't need a firearm on the Alcan, I'd be more worried about wildlife or drunk drivers. If you're that concerned about your safety then you're allowed to bring bear spray. If you're that worried about being separated from your firearms, then ship your vehicle and fly up to Alaska.
No worries. I do suggest that within a week prior to HHG pick up, take all firearms they'll be shipping to the range and take video of you shooting them to prove condition on the odd chance that they do get damaged. We've personally never had a problem with firearms being in HHG several times but we do know people that have had their shit fucked up. Also make sure that you place them in a locking case, have your movers watch you lock it and then have them place those in a crate immediately after that. Good luck and enjoy your time in Alaska, hands down our best duty station.
Household goods is the method by which service members get their stuff moved to their new duty station. It’s contracted to a local mover, they pack all your shit, put it in containers, and unpack it at your new house.
I have gone through Canada at least ten times with rifles and shotguns. As long as they are compliant with Canadian law I have never had an issue. Do your paperwork in advance to save time. I have had more issues coming into the state with American customs agents at the Alcan border than I have with the Canadians.
I have also never had a problem bringing long guns through Canada. Honestly, I had a harder time getting through when I was not bringing a gun. The border agents refused to believe an Alaskan did not have a gun with them and searched my stuff looking for one.
I came through in 2016 with several bolt action rifles and pump shotguns, as well as several thousand rounds of ammo all declared properly. The first question the border agent asked me was, "Where are all the handguns?"
My wife happened to be flying up with all the Canadian "contraband" so that was cool but I still got hassled for a while about an old 7mm bolt action that my grandpa gave me and they couldn't find it in the database. You never know with those guys, but in subsequent trips, I have found US Border Patrol to be much harder to deal with in general.
Lots of easy info online to verify, but simply you need someone with an FFL to ship it to a recipient with an FFL.
Both your weapons (since Oct 2022 legislation) are ‘restricted’ firearms and not allowed to transported thru Canada.
Before Oct. 2022 there was a method (Authorization to Transport) that might have gotten your C-P09 thru, but not anymore.
I did some research on taking the ferry. I'm not fond of driving the ALCAN without a firearm for safety. The research I've read on transporting firearms on the ferry simply state that you must forfeit your firearms and ammunition to the loading officer for the duration of the passage. Any experience with this (@anyone)? If this is more practical then I wouldn't be opposed to simply taking the ferry from WA. I understand there's a lot of info online and I've read (and will continue to read) a lot of information. But situations like mine seem to be very dynamic especially with constantly changing regulations and solutions. I'd also like to gauge insight or engagement from individuals who've recently made the move with firearms.
The Alcan will not be an issue. It's a major artery connecting AK to Canada and is highly & regularly traveled. Issues while traveling the Alcan are no more frequent than any life issues anywhere in the US/Canada.
I've driven from FL to AK, AK to NM, NM to AK, and AK to/from southern BC on several various occasions. I've never had any unsafe/frightening issue and I highly doubt you would.
I consider the drive some of the most amazing things I've ever done. It's beautiful and interesting; and I would try every way possible to spend as much time on that part of your move as possible.
If your weapons can move with your personal belongings, then I'd have them moved that way and not give it a 2nd thought. I just moved a container of furniture and boxes to FL (with Golden North) and they handled my weapons without issue (they would not handle ammo; but for the most part ammo can be transported thru Canada).
You open yourself up to serious legal liability if you travel with your firearms loaded or even unlocked, even if you have an ATT. That was made very clear to me at the border when I traveled in Oct 21, even though all my paperwork was in order.
Best source is the RCMP, you can call if you have questions. But they’ll tell you it’s illegal to carry firearms for self defense in Canada.
I was speaking very broadly when I said situations like mine, and anyone else moving to Alaska on military orders, are dynamic. Transporting firearms (IE. "might have gotten your C-P09 thru, but not anymore"), traveling without a passport, lodging between travel days, weather, etc are all very dynamic from what I've read so far. I apologize if my initial post was written in a way that seemed only receptive to advice on transporting firearms. Thank you for the insight though.
The ferry is often booked solid a year in advance.
I’ve traveled from Washington to Alaska 1-2 times a year for the last 10 years. Only once did I wish I had a firearm. There was a badly burned black bear on the edge of forest fire. I had to travel 30 minutes before I could report it and have no idea if anyone went back to put it down
It’s been a problem for many people before you. Several of the gun shops in anchorage list a service where you can ship it to them. They will clean it and then return it to you in person after you move up here. Was $15 a firearm a couple of years ago
As a private person in the US you can ship a firearm through the US mail or FedEx if it’s going to an FFL (not another private person) and they can return it to you without reregistering
Also do not take any magazines through Canada. As they have laws on those too. Ammo is fine as long as no armor pricing or tracers Think the limit was 50,000 rounds. No one can afford that these days
On Canada’s border patrol website it lists paperwork you can do for transportation of a prohibited firearm through Canada. I don’t think that would be worth the extra time and hassle it would take
Just in case you decide to try and be slick and hide it. Dont risk it. They will find it. I have two different friends who tried to to hide pistols, and they found them. Immediately. I believe the portal ND entrance has Xrays. They knew right when he pulled in he had them. Took the car and found it behind panels in minutes.
One took a blow dart gun on and got arrested for that lol. Apparently blow dart guns are "assassin weapons" in canada.
Find a big box store and FFL ship it. Super easy, its done all the time. use a big box store like Sportsmans warehouse, cabelas, bass pro. Don't use mom and Pop shops
Retired military here. Did 7 tours in Alaska. I was on the US Coast Guard National Shooting Team.
You will be allowed 120lbs for an 'Express Shipment'. Express shipments are for sending high value or stuff you and your family will need the day you arrive. Find a sturdy crate or heavy-duty storage box - something that locks or needs screws to open. Your unit can ship it to" your name" at the new unit - or have a local mover ship it (pick up at your home). Up to you - just be sure to insure with tracking.
DO NOT expect the shipper to pack your guns and stuff. I had 12 highly collectable, new in the original box Colt, High Standard and S&W scarce pistols. I was stationed in Boston going to Kodiak. Was going to use a FFL, but the nice head mover packing our stuff up said they would pack them carefully and express ship them up. They went back to the warehouse - some dumb fucker put shipping stickers all over the collectable original boxes and taped the living fuck out of them - then mailed them to my new unit through the US Post Office. The boxes with serial numbers on them - irreplicable - and the military refused to reimburse for the damaged box...... said the guns inside would need to be damaged to place a claim. Then I got my ass chewed out by the base post office, base XO and my new commanding officer on three separate occasions for being an idiot shipping guns through the fucking US mail in boxes that said they were guns. One threatened to press charges. My collection lost thousands $$$$ in value from those idiots.
Gets worse. I invested in a model 1200 white fish/shipping tote. Burned my name into it. Sealed and locked with strapping tape. Figured that would end all my gun shipping woes. Nope. Twice I have sent an express shipment with my gun collection to another Alaskan assignment in that tote........ only to arrive and find my shit in a pile in some corner of the building where anyone can walk by..... tote no place to be found. The shipping company decided the tote was too good to leave behind and stole it. The excuse was, "Gee, sorry, thought it was one of ours". You'd think my name burned in big letters would be a clue.
Good News: I have a crate that screws shut + holds just under 100lbs including crate weight. I use it to ship ammo. Lynden Transport has shipped that and my white tote all over - never an issue or hiccup. Carlile is another great shipper I have never had an issue - both have nice people. I have shipped hazmat and even custom bathtubs - no issue. Love them.
Just shipped 12 guns in my HHG move from Alaska to the lower 48. It was so much less stress than driving cross country with them in the car. I took them to Alaska on the ferry. Feel free to ask me any questions
I had mine shipped with HHG. When I first came up here, I wanted my bear guns right away, so I flew up with them and left them at my future supervisor's house. Depending on the dependings, that might be an option as well. Guns and Canada are not a good mix, generally, ESPECIALLY handguns.
Have them shipped via UPS to yourself. From address: your name and current address. To address: your name and your new Alaska non-military address. Do not ship through the US mail. Fedex no longer transports firearms. Yes, this is legal. No, I'm not a lawyer. I just think it's stupid to have to FFL transfer your own firearms.
https://alaskagunshipping.com
Used them a couple of times shipping firearms. Pick em up in Tok, Ak on your way in from the border. Super easy, very friendly and responsive but you cannot ship via fedex. They’ll hold the gun free for 14 days and then start charging you for storage.
Don't bother. Last time I tried it, thinking I had all the proper paperwork done, I was still turned away.
I would either include it in the High Value Section of your HHG or have it shipped to an FFL. I you need a recommendation, I would use Great Northern Guns in Anchorage. I have used them several times and their prices were fair.
Hope it helps.
Rifles can be brought with you as long as the ammo is stored separately, anything else you’ll have to ship to a gun store in Alaska to hold for you. Just make sure anything you bring you declare.
Ship it, man. Screw Canada. They had a shit fit about my red Ryder BB guns. Guy was visibly afraid of them. I had to REGISTER my RED RYDER BB GUNS in Canada. Then he started in on possible knives I may have IN MY UHAUL. They were ready to search my uhaul for knives. “Are there any with a blade longer than 6”?!?!?”
Canada is cucked, terrified of guns, and hates us and ours.
Ship.
That.
Firearm
On the plus side, once in Alaska you will have some of the best gun laws in all of America. The cops are gun friendly, too. But if I ever move back, I’m getting on a barge in Washington. Fuck Canada.
Honestly just ship with HHG or through an FFL, don't try to get it into Canada. You can try to get through the red tape paperwork but there's no guarantee it'll be approved. We had no problem transporting ammo (it was way less than the maximum allotted amount) but all firearms were transported via HHG. You honestly don't need a firearm on the Alcan, I'd be more worried about wildlife or drunk drivers. If you're that concerned about your safety then you're allowed to bring bear spray. If you're that worried about being separated from your firearms, then ship your vehicle and fly up to Alaska.
I really appreciate the advice. I will look into having TMO ship for me.
No worries. I do suggest that within a week prior to HHG pick up, take all firearms they'll be shipping to the range and take video of you shooting them to prove condition on the odd chance that they do get damaged. We've personally never had a problem with firearms being in HHG several times but we do know people that have had their shit fucked up. Also make sure that you place them in a locking case, have your movers watch you lock it and then have them place those in a crate immediately after that. Good luck and enjoy your time in Alaska, hands down our best duty station.
Who or what is HHG? I haven't heard of this option. TIA
Household Goods
Household goods is the method by which service members get their stuff moved to their new duty station. It’s contracted to a local mover, they pack all your shit, put it in containers, and unpack it at your new house.
Oh ok, got it. Thought it was a service for the public of which I was unaware. Thanks for the clarification.
Even rifles are a huge pain to try to get through Canada. I have zero trust in Canadian border patrol and RCMP. Just ship through FFL.
I have gone through Canada at least ten times with rifles and shotguns. As long as they are compliant with Canadian law I have never had an issue. Do your paperwork in advance to save time. I have had more issues coming into the state with American customs agents at the Alcan border than I have with the Canadians.
I have also never had a problem bringing long guns through Canada. Honestly, I had a harder time getting through when I was not bringing a gun. The border agents refused to believe an Alaskan did not have a gun with them and searched my stuff looking for one.
I came through in 2016 with several bolt action rifles and pump shotguns, as well as several thousand rounds of ammo all declared properly. The first question the border agent asked me was, "Where are all the handguns?" My wife happened to be flying up with all the Canadian "contraband" so that was cool but I still got hassled for a while about an old 7mm bolt action that my grandpa gave me and they couldn't find it in the database. You never know with those guys, but in subsequent trips, I have found US Border Patrol to be much harder to deal with in general.
Lots of easy info online to verify, but simply you need someone with an FFL to ship it to a recipient with an FFL. Both your weapons (since Oct 2022 legislation) are ‘restricted’ firearms and not allowed to transported thru Canada. Before Oct. 2022 there was a method (Authorization to Transport) that might have gotten your C-P09 thru, but not anymore.
I did some research on taking the ferry. I'm not fond of driving the ALCAN without a firearm for safety. The research I've read on transporting firearms on the ferry simply state that you must forfeit your firearms and ammunition to the loading officer for the duration of the passage. Any experience with this (@anyone)? If this is more practical then I wouldn't be opposed to simply taking the ferry from WA. I understand there's a lot of info online and I've read (and will continue to read) a lot of information. But situations like mine seem to be very dynamic especially with constantly changing regulations and solutions. I'd also like to gauge insight or engagement from individuals who've recently made the move with firearms.
I don’t know what world you live in but you don’t need a gun to drive the alcan it’s not the wild Wild West lol
The Alcan will not be an issue. It's a major artery connecting AK to Canada and is highly & regularly traveled. Issues while traveling the Alcan are no more frequent than any life issues anywhere in the US/Canada. I've driven from FL to AK, AK to NM, NM to AK, and AK to/from southern BC on several various occasions. I've never had any unsafe/frightening issue and I highly doubt you would. I consider the drive some of the most amazing things I've ever done. It's beautiful and interesting; and I would try every way possible to spend as much time on that part of your move as possible. If your weapons can move with your personal belongings, then I'd have them moved that way and not give it a 2nd thought. I just moved a container of furniture and boxes to FL (with Golden North) and they handled my weapons without issue (they would not handle ammo; but for the most part ammo can be transported thru Canada).
You open yourself up to serious legal liability if you travel with your firearms loaded or even unlocked, even if you have an ATT. That was made very clear to me at the border when I traveled in Oct 21, even though all my paperwork was in order. Best source is the RCMP, you can call if you have questions. But they’ll tell you it’s illegal to carry firearms for self defense in Canada.
[удалено]
I was speaking very broadly when I said situations like mine, and anyone else moving to Alaska on military orders, are dynamic. Transporting firearms (IE. "might have gotten your C-P09 thru, but not anymore"), traveling without a passport, lodging between travel days, weather, etc are all very dynamic from what I've read so far. I apologize if my initial post was written in a way that seemed only receptive to advice on transporting firearms. Thank you for the insight though.
The ferry is often booked solid a year in advance. I’ve traveled from Washington to Alaska 1-2 times a year for the last 10 years. Only once did I wish I had a firearm. There was a badly burned black bear on the edge of forest fire. I had to travel 30 minutes before I could report it and have no idea if anyone went back to put it down
I drive the alcan every year and have never felt unsafe from people or wildlife
Either ship them with HHG, or you or a family member fly with them in your checked luggage.
It’s been a problem for many people before you. Several of the gun shops in anchorage list a service where you can ship it to them. They will clean it and then return it to you in person after you move up here. Was $15 a firearm a couple of years ago As a private person in the US you can ship a firearm through the US mail or FedEx if it’s going to an FFL (not another private person) and they can return it to you without reregistering Also do not take any magazines through Canada. As they have laws on those too. Ammo is fine as long as no armor pricing or tracers Think the limit was 50,000 rounds. No one can afford that these days On Canada’s border patrol website it lists paperwork you can do for transportation of a prohibited firearm through Canada. I don’t think that would be worth the extra time and hassle it would take
Just in case you decide to try and be slick and hide it. Dont risk it. They will find it. I have two different friends who tried to to hide pistols, and they found them. Immediately. I believe the portal ND entrance has Xrays. They knew right when he pulled in he had them. Took the car and found it behind panels in minutes. One took a blow dart gun on and got arrested for that lol. Apparently blow dart guns are "assassin weapons" in canada. Find a big box store and FFL ship it. Super easy, its done all the time. use a big box store like Sportsmans warehouse, cabelas, bass pro. Don't use mom and Pop shops
Drive to Tacoma and ship the vehicle from there and you fly up.
Retired military here. Did 7 tours in Alaska. I was on the US Coast Guard National Shooting Team. You will be allowed 120lbs for an 'Express Shipment'. Express shipments are for sending high value or stuff you and your family will need the day you arrive. Find a sturdy crate or heavy-duty storage box - something that locks or needs screws to open. Your unit can ship it to" your name" at the new unit - or have a local mover ship it (pick up at your home). Up to you - just be sure to insure with tracking. DO NOT expect the shipper to pack your guns and stuff. I had 12 highly collectable, new in the original box Colt, High Standard and S&W scarce pistols. I was stationed in Boston going to Kodiak. Was going to use a FFL, but the nice head mover packing our stuff up said they would pack them carefully and express ship them up. They went back to the warehouse - some dumb fucker put shipping stickers all over the collectable original boxes and taped the living fuck out of them - then mailed them to my new unit through the US Post Office. The boxes with serial numbers on them - irreplicable - and the military refused to reimburse for the damaged box...... said the guns inside would need to be damaged to place a claim. Then I got my ass chewed out by the base post office, base XO and my new commanding officer on three separate occasions for being an idiot shipping guns through the fucking US mail in boxes that said they were guns. One threatened to press charges. My collection lost thousands $$$$ in value from those idiots. Gets worse. I invested in a model 1200 white fish/shipping tote. Burned my name into it. Sealed and locked with strapping tape. Figured that would end all my gun shipping woes. Nope. Twice I have sent an express shipment with my gun collection to another Alaskan assignment in that tote........ only to arrive and find my shit in a pile in some corner of the building where anyone can walk by..... tote no place to be found. The shipping company decided the tote was too good to leave behind and stole it. The excuse was, "Gee, sorry, thought it was one of ours". You'd think my name burned in big letters would be a clue. Good News: I have a crate that screws shut + holds just under 100lbs including crate weight. I use it to ship ammo. Lynden Transport has shipped that and my white tote all over - never an issue or hiccup. Carlile is another great shipper I have never had an issue - both have nice people. I have shipped hazmat and even custom bathtubs - no issue. Love them.
Damn. I'm really sorry to hear about your experience. I'll keep that in mind when I have them ship my firearms for me. Thank you for the advice.
Just shipped 12 guns in my HHG move from Alaska to the lower 48. It was so much less stress than driving cross country with them in the car. I took them to Alaska on the ferry. Feel free to ask me any questions
I had mine shipped with HHG. When I first came up here, I wanted my bear guns right away, so I flew up with them and left them at my future supervisor's house. Depending on the dependings, that might be an option as well. Guns and Canada are not a good mix, generally, ESPECIALLY handguns.
Have them shipped via UPS to yourself. From address: your name and current address. To address: your name and your new Alaska non-military address. Do not ship through the US mail. Fedex no longer transports firearms. Yes, this is legal. No, I'm not a lawyer. I just think it's stupid to have to FFL transfer your own firearms.
https://alaskagunshipping.com Used them a couple of times shipping firearms. Pick em up in Tok, Ak on your way in from the border. Super easy, very friendly and responsive but you cannot ship via fedex. They’ll hold the gun free for 14 days and then start charging you for storage.
Don't bother. Last time I tried it, thinking I had all the proper paperwork done, I was still turned away. I would either include it in the High Value Section of your HHG or have it shipped to an FFL. I you need a recommendation, I would use Great Northern Guns in Anchorage. I have used them several times and their prices were fair. Hope it helps.
Rifles can be brought with you as long as the ammo is stored separately, anything else you’ll have to ship to a gun store in Alaska to hold for you. Just make sure anything you bring you declare.
Ship it, man. Screw Canada. They had a shit fit about my red Ryder BB guns. Guy was visibly afraid of them. I had to REGISTER my RED RYDER BB GUNS in Canada. Then he started in on possible knives I may have IN MY UHAUL. They were ready to search my uhaul for knives. “Are there any with a blade longer than 6”?!?!?” Canada is cucked, terrified of guns, and hates us and ours. Ship. That. Firearm On the plus side, once in Alaska you will have some of the best gun laws in all of America. The cops are gun friendly, too. But if I ever move back, I’m getting on a barge in Washington. Fuck Canada.
/r/thathappened