OK here it is again...instructions for shipping guns to Alaska, written by yours truly, that we pass out to the hundreds of people that do "care ofs" to us every year...
"THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS HAS PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO US. WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATION AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THIS INFORMATION AND YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH THE ATF OR YOUR LAWYER BEFORE SHIPPING OR TRANSPORTING FIREARMS TO ALASKA.
FLYING – If flying directly to or from Alaska, a person may include an UNLOADED firearm in checked baggage. You must notify the carrier when checking in, that the baggage contains a firearm. IT IS A VIOLATION OF LAW TO TRANSPORT A LOADED FIREARM BY AIR!!
DRIVING – If driving by automobile, you can:
Take sporting rifles and shotguns with you – Canadian law prohibits handguns, short barreled rifles and shotguns and fully automatic weapons. In general, firearms must be unloaded, out of reach, out of sight and stored separately from any ammunition in the vehicle. Call the Canadian Customs office in Vancouver, BC at (604) 666-0545, for more information about Canadian firearms laws.
OR
Ship the firearms to your destination – Prior to traveling through Canada, persons may ship UNLOADED firearms:
1. Directly to themselves, for example to their hotel or other destination*
2. To themselves, in care of an FFL, for example Joe Smith sends a rifle to an FFL in Alaska. Smith shows appropriate identification and retrieves the package containing the firearm(s) from the FFL. The package is not opened by the FFL and the firearm(s) is not recorded in the FFL’s records. Be sure to arrange this with the FFL ahead of time.
3. To themselves, in care of any other person legally able to receive firearms in another state. The recipient signs for the package, but does not open it.
*Do not send packages to any location, particularly FFLs, without arranging it ahead of time with the recipient.
NOTE: YOU MAY NOT SHIP HANDGUNS BY MAIL, YOU MUST USE A COMMON CARRIER. IF YOU WISH TO SHIP HANDGUNS WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU HAVE A DEALER FORWARD YOUR PACKAGE IN CARE OF ANOTHER DEALER.
NOTE: IT IS A VIOLATION OF LAW TO SHIP A LOADED FIREARM BY MAIL OR COMMON CARRIER. ALL SHIPPED FIREARMS MUST BE UNLOADED. AMMUNITION CANNOT BE MAILED!
ALASKA MARINE HIGHWAY – The same rules apply. Firearms are permitted in your baggage. If you’re stopping in Canada, remember that country’s laws will allow you to bring in sporting rifles and shotguns only. Call (800) 642-0066 for more information. Web site access is at
http://www.akms.com/ferry/
BEFORE LEAVING THE U.S. travelers should register with the U.S. Customs Service, on a Customs Form 4457. These forms are available at local Port Offices throughout the country. To find the closest one to you, call the nearest office or check their web page at
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov and click on TRAVELER INFORMATION. This form is the traveler’s proof that the item registered was in his/her possession prior to leaving the U.S. and will facilitate the clearance of firearms upon leaving Canada. Otherwise, U.S. Customs Service, at the point of re-entry, will hold firearms, to await importation by an FFL."
For long guns, from long experience, we reccomend Fed Ex. Pay the $$ and use priority overnight. They seem to screw up the least.
WildwarehouseAlaska
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