Export laws question

[Tycer]

I'm selling a pre-81 BLR mag on eBay and someone from Canada wants to buy it for his buddy in the USA. He wants me to ship it to his buddy.
Kosher or sketchy?

[Pisgah]

I may be wrong, but I don't believe export laws would be involved since -- at least, supposedly -- the gun is not going to Canada. Rather, it might be interpreted as a violation of the "straw man purchase" section of the GCA, which is what the "Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm listed on this form?" question on the Form 4473 the person receiving the gun will have to fill out and sign. Also, there may be complications arising from local or state laws where the recipient lives.

Technically, this may not be a violation, but it's murky and complicated enough -- including the fact that today the Canadian dollar is worth 71 cents US -- that you're putting yourself in a position where you could get embroiled in a legal situation or gypped.

[Blaine]

Just the magazine ? Get your money first. Nothing to stop from selling, and shipping that in the USA, right?

[Pete44ru]

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Save the communication, send the magazine anywhere in the USA - but keep the shipping/mailing receipt & the communication together as insurance, should a question about the transaction ever arise.


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[Tycer]

I talked to a batfe acquaintance and he said there's a 99.99% chance it's fine. If the guy were to get caught transporting it to Canada and the trail of purchase led back to me it might require me to hire an attorney. The potential buyer only has one feedback. I'm saying nope. Have your buddy buy it.

[Canuck Bob]

Some Canadians are always flirting with import angles. One of them is to drop ship to a buddy and then drive down and import it under a pile of stuff in the trunk! I would do the deal only with the American source and accept no payment from Canada. That seems easy enough for an Ebay purchase. With all the internet fraud around gun stuff cash the cheque before you ship.

Be aware any mag over a 5 shot for a centerfire semi is illegal here, BLR is fine. Technically I don't think many gun parts are forbidden to cross the border from our law. I once sourced a Lee Enfield mag from a reputable Surplus dealer and he assured me he did it regularly. I chose a Canadian source because we don't dare mess with our Possession Licence. Guns, scopes and sighting devices, ammo, and all reloading components are illegal without the American source having a licence or two. There are companies that offer the service for importing to Canada.

[Chuck 100 yd]

It can be sold to anyone inside the US as long as the state where it is going has no laws against it. It is not a firearm.

Write out a receipt to send with it showing the US resident as the buyer.
Like Blaine said, get the money first.