Importing knife into Canada from US Store

Z

ziegs2020

Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
4
I was interested in buying a new knife. Specifically this one, http://www.knifecenter.com/kc_new/store_detail.html?s=MD504

I've read the prohibited section regarding weapons and shipping across Canada, and I've even emailed the retailer and the answer was the same. I shouldn't have any problems shipping it across the border.

Can anyone from Canada chime in on their experiences shipping knives across the border? I could always pick it up on the US side, declare it at customs, however I'm worried about the Canadian agents not knowing their "stuff" and not allowing it across.

I wish I could find a Canadian retailer, but so far I have had no luck:grumpy:

Thank you:)
 
it has been my experience that if a seller tells you he can ship it to you its because they've done it before without issue. keep track of your order and if it gets caught up in customs you may have to rectify the situation yourself but rarely will they refuse to give you your item if you have a copy of the laws and arent a felon.

a guy on my cs team imported a glass mouse pad which freaked customs out but a few hours was all it took for him to get it in his possession.

as a side note Ive taken risks on some big items shipping them myself but I managed to clear customs every time. as such I always prefer to buy from within the states for myself. something to think about, ask a dealer to special order the item for you. may have to pay more, but you dont have any risk.
 
That knife is a FIXED blade and is therefore LEGAL to own possess and use in CANADA.

As for shipping, use USPS and NOTHING ELSE. UPS, and other companies will charge you a HUGE processing fee, on top of regular shipping and duties. Ask the retailer to please use USPS and you will never have a problem.

cheers!
 
It's kind of strange, but knife laws in Canada are amusingly loose. One might even feel it is safe to say there really are no laws, lol. All kidding aside, it seems like the restriction on firearms has been counterbalanced with liberal knife laws (not "Liberal" as in the political party). In any event, importing a knife from the US is like having your uncle send you a birthday card, real easy. The US retailers will often get crafty just to be safe, and list the shipped knife as a movie prop, but in all honesty, it doesn't really matter. Shipping a knife to the U.S from Canada is far more difficult than importing one into Canada from the U.S. There is also no formal fixed balde length restriction in Canada either so long as you can explain its purpose as a tool and it is visible. At most you'll just run into an ignorant cop who doesn't know the rules (or lack thereof) and decides to issue you a phoney fine and take your knife illegally. Go to court and get out the books, you'll have your knife back and the ticket torn up in short order. Speaking from first hand experience here. Of course, it gets more difficult to explain the knife as a tool the bigger or more exotic it gets, heheh. "Honestly officer, I am a mailman and I use my sword to cut through thick hedges on my route!" ;)

Try to import a pellet gun, paintball marker, or Airsoft rifle, however, and cripes, expect a raid on your house, sheesh. :rolleyes:
 
Actually that is not true anymore as some really fascist liberals(the party this time) in positions of power have reinterpreted existing laws on autos to include any one hand opening folder that can be 'flicked" open as an auto. Customs is rife with these political
appointed jerkwads so many knives have been confiscated or sent back to the US that are legally sold in Canada. Even worse some people especially in Toronto where the mayor is the head jerkwad people have been arrested for things like Kershaw leeks and convicted of a weapons charge and given lifetime firearms bans.

Ironically other than slippies the safest folders are assited openers because they cannot be "flicked' open.

You can send folders across the border fairly safely and I had 2 nice old Tufram Spydercos come 2 weeks ago from NJ with no problems. All you have to do is tighten up the pivot so it cannot be flicked open. New Graham is one store I know has shipped folder to Canada and knows how to do it. You should let them know in the Email that you want the pivot tight
 
It is a fixed blade,shouldn't be any probs. Specify shipping by mail,registered if you have to. NO UPS
 
Thanks for the help guys!

Thanks flnder for the link, but I'm looking for the 504 with the combo blade. I would definitely prefer buying locally, even if it's a bit more. My experience with customs has usually been hit and miss. Their work ethic in resealing inspected packages has been particularity lame :foot:
 
I'm in BC and I order knives from the US all the time.

As previously mentioned, New Graham knows what they are doing. They tighten the pivot, and some of them have even been zip-tied closed.

Please also heed the advice about using USPS. UPS and FedEx add on huge customs charges.
 
I would like to use New Graham, but they mention international orders need to use Western Union. Not too keen on that.
 
ziegs2020 said:
I would like to use New Graham, but they mention international orders need to use Western Union. Not too keen on that.
Click to expand...

Only for new customers. I would assume that policy is to prevent some sort of scam/abuse. Give them a call/send them an e-mail, I'm sure there is a way around that.
 
Fixed blades are nooo problem. The knobs at Customs only like to steal your folders.:grumpy::jerkit::grumpy:
 
The most important thing to remember when shipping knives into Canada is that folders have their pivot pins extremely tight. I had a Spyderco Calypso Jr. taken for being able to flick it open. I only buy knives with adjustable pivots now.

Fixed blades are generally fine. The only restrictions I've seen is push blades and sub-hilts, which can be labeled as a sort of brass knuckle, which is illegal.
 
The REAL Commander said:
It's kind of strange, but knife laws in Canada are amusingly loose. One might even feel it is safe to say there really are no laws, lol. All kidding aside, it seems like the restriction on firearms has been counterbalanced with liberal knife laws (not "Liberal" as in the political party). In any event, importing a knife from the US is like having your uncle send you a birthday card, real easy. The US retailers will often get crafty just to be safe, and list the shipped knife as a movie prop, but in all honesty, it doesn't really matter. Shipping a knife to the U.S from Canada is far more difficult than importing one into Canada from the U.S. There is also no formal fixed balde length restriction in Canada either so long as you can explain its purpose as a tool and it is visible. At most you'll just run into an ignorant cop who doesn't know the rules (or lack thereof) and decides to issue you a phoney fine and take your knife illegally. Go to court and get out the books, you'll have your knife back and the ticket torn up in short order. Speaking from first hand experience here. Of course, it gets more difficult to explain the knife as a tool the bigger or more exotic it gets, heheh. "Honestly officer, I am a mailman and I use my sword to cut through thick hedges on my route!" ;)

Try to import a pellet gun, paintball marker, or Airsoft rifle, however, and cripes, expect a raid on your house, sheesh. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

well said, and very true. :thumbup:
 
Do not use UPS, FEDEX, or any other courier service.

New Graham does not make you jump through any hoops at all. Just use a credit card like anywhere else. In the special notes, ask for USPS mailing.

I've ordered two or three knives from them and everything came through just fine... I needed a hex key to get the skirmish open, though! :)
 
Kazeryu said:
Do not use UPS, FEDEX, or any other courier service.

New Graham does not make you jump through any hoops at all. Just use a credit card like anywhere else. In the special notes, ask for USPS mailing.

I've ordered two or three knives from them and everything came through just fine... I needed a hex key to get the skirmish open, though! :)
Click to expand...

Will the shipping quote be the same as UPS? I don't want to enter all the information, confirm the order, and then find out they used UPS even if it mentioned USPS in the notes section.
 
Hello canucks,
I am new onhere and as I am interested in some knives to get from US - our prices here, in Canada are with 50-100% more than on e-bay - I decided to call the customs.
I was told today that we are not allowed to import SPRING ASSISTED KNIVES or knives that can be opened by GRAVITATIONAL FORCE. That's what I've been told.
I guess it's better for you , who are gonna buy knives from e-bay , to ask the sellers to specify this characteristic in the shipping papers , to avoid any confusions. Hopefully the custom won't confiscate the knives or send them back to the sellers :thumbdn:
 
radu1976 said:
I was told today that we are not allowed to import SPRING ASSISTED KNIVES or knives that can be opened by GRAVITATIONAL FORCE.
Click to expand...

That's interesting. Spring assisted opening knives are not technically illegal in Canada. For the last while too many Canada Custom inspectors have been coming up with their own interpretations of the laws.
 
A spring assisted opening knife, like a switchblade, is not classified as a tool, it is strictly labeled a weapon. For this reason, it would be almost guaranteed to be frozen at customs. Also, if a cop catches you with one, you cannot explain it as a practical tool, and will therefore face weapons charges. Basically, any knife that focusses on rapid or automatic deployment of the blade is seen solely as a weapon with the purpose of causing harm, and is therefore not allowed. It's dumb, since simply drawing a fixed blade is far quicker than digging out a switchblade, making sure you are holding it the right way, then hitting the button. :jerkit: Government pen-pushers with nothing to do, heh.
 
radu1976 said:
Hello canucks,
I was told today that we are not allowed to import SPRING ASSISTED KNIVES or knives that can be opened by GRAVITATIONAL FORCE. That's what I've been told.
Click to expand...

First of all, every knife that folds is technically a gravity knife. The only exceptions are the ones where you just can't get a good enough grip on it (like a small SAK). That law is bullshit (it was meant to refer to OTF gravity knives, but they were too vague in their wording) and all you have to do it ask the seller to tighten the pivot to prevent some cock from confiscating your knife.


Second of all, Assisted Openers are perfectly legal in Canada and sold in many stores. Automatics are not. This is based on a technicality which almost everyone is willing to wink at. The law is worded so that it only refers to spring assisted knives which are released by pressing a button. Once again, you can bypass any idiocy by having the pivot tightened down before mailing.



Ziegs -- I believe they quote $6.95 'Best-Way Ground' and that is what I have always paid. You can always email or phone them about it if you want to be extra sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top