Moving to Alaska!

[cobblefield]

First of all this a great forum. We are fortunate to have this. I am in the process of moving to Alaska from the midwest and am thrilled about opening a new chapter in my life in one of the most exciting places on planet earth. My question is; what is the safest, most reliable and cost effective way to move firearms and ammo to Alaska. I have 19 long guns (mostly milsurps) and 15 handguns and associated ammo. Need to move a 17' boat too. Any good ideas?

Your help is appreciated.

 

[Planner]

Moving firearms and boats

Moving firearms and boats

When I moved up here I hired some movers to put most of my possessions including my truck, firearms and a couple canoes in a semi-truck trailer and they sent the whole thing up here. It was transported by truck, train and barge getting here. I picked up the truck with canoes on top when it arrived and they brought the rest to my doorstep. It was a little expensive, but worked great.

 

[mauserboy]

Moving firearms

Moving firearms

Since you are moving here from the lower 48, you have to send your guns from one FFL holder to another one. If you were moving to another contiguous state, you could send the long guns to yourself. You do need to check the specific state laws for that. You cannot mail handguns except to an FFL holder, gunsmith, gun factory for repair. Find a reputable dealer who will give you a fair price on shipping costs. Most dealers use UPS.
Ammo may be a no go. I cannot get a,mmo shipped up here from even the large dealers such as Midwayusa or Sportsman's Guide because of lack of ground shipping service, and these days you cannot ship ammo by air. If anyone has more specific or different info, perhaps more clarification is available to you. Good luck.

 

[fishermann222]

Usps

Usps

longguns can be shipped via the USPS if they are shipped from yourself to yourself. You have to declare that it is a longgun, and insure it, then you are good to go. Use your former addy in the midwest and ship to your new addy up here.

 

[TMA]

Moving to Alaska

Moving to Alaska

When we moved to Alaska, we drove through Canada. I bought their $50 permit and declared the long guns at the border. I flew the handguns up on a seperate occasion although I understand that you may also transport certain handguns as long as the barrels are longer than 4". I wasn't sure so we opted for flying them since we were flying soon after the move anyway.

Here is a link that explains some of the Canadian rules.

http://www.amcits.com/weapons.asp

Be sure to check your guns against their list of restricted firearms (this may require a phone call) as some that you consider normal here are restricted in Canada.

 

[fishermann222]

only 3

only 3

When heading into Canada with longguns I believe the 50 canadian covers only 3 firearms. If you have 21 of them to ship, that would be 350 Canadian, and probably a bit of a hassle at the border with 21 of them

 

[leahy]

50 Canadian covers at least 15, (maybe more) I had that many

50 Canadian covers at least 15, (maybe more) I had that many

when I went through. It may have changed since 2004? Sorry, not trying to sound like a know it all.
No FFL to FFL is needed. FFL are for transfering ownership NOt for shipping your own guns to yourself.
UPS will ask for an FFL because of their POLICY, not because of any laws.
Ship them to yourself.
Enjoy your trip,
Rob

 

[fishermann222]

Leahy

Leahy

Thanks for that info Leahy, I moved up 4 years ago and then they told me it covers the three I had with, but I would have to pay more for more firearms. Of course I had teach that particular border agent how to measure my firearms, I think she was a tad embarrassed .

 

[TMA]

Moving to Alaska

Moving to Alaska

When I bought my permit, I had in excess of 25 long guns and it was a $50 (Canadian) flat fee. That was in 2002.

You can list three firearms on the initial form and additional one have to be listed on the continuation form.

Here's a link to the form:

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/online-en_ligne/form-assistance/PDFs/909_e.pdf

Your best bet is to fill it out ahead of time and have everything ready when you get to the border.

 

[mauserboy]

Moving to Alaska

Moving to Alaska

I stand corrected. It is perfectly legal to mail long guns to yourself within the U.S. which includes, of course, Alaska. While researching this, I called 5 or 6 gun stores in the Anchorage area. I got a surprizing number of conflicting responses. One store said that you absolutely can't mail guns to yourself, which is not the case and another said you could mail any gun, including handguns, which I believe to be not true.

 

[fishermann222]

mauserboy

mauserboy

You are correct, handguns can not be mailed every from adn to yourself, only rifles and shotguns. Handguns would have to be sent using an FFL.

heres a link to USPS publication 52.* page 78,* paragraph 432.1* C& D
*
You can scroll up to 431.2 B&C to read those restrictions.
*
LINK;
*
[ http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.pdf ]http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub52.pdf

 

[Forestar]

Depends . . .

Depends . . .

You didn't say what part of Alaska you are moving to. If you are moving to Southeast (panhandle), just load up your truck and associated goodies, get on the ferry in Bellingham, WA and relax. For that matter, you could take the ferry all the way to south-central Alaska (Valdez, Seward, Whittier) and get off on the road system, by-passing Canada altogether. Only one problem -- it ain't cheap.

 

[whateveri8]

If you had the time, you could box up your firearms along with other household goodies and drop ship via Northland or Alaska Marine Lines in Seattle. As Forestar says: where in AK are you going? if it's Southeast (Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka Hanes or Skagway, then toss in on the barge. if it's to Bethel, Nome, Barrow, King Salmon, or other remote sites... well Lyndon Transport has a C-130. Where When are the key issues to shipnig to AK If you can keep the guns with you, the better, but drop Shipping barge style is a good way to go if your near Coastal AK - The Alaska Marine Hwy from Bellingham to Valdez, Whittier or other points of entry to AK road system After September is only slightly higher that barge, but Driver goes free and you have your rig with you. send you stuff via barge and let it arrive a week or two later.

 

[Blaster]

Take the Long Guns with you and ship the handguns. Just do a google search for Alaska gunshops and email or call them fer their info.

I went up in 2002 and took my long guns with me. No real hassle there. I posted a thread on moving to AK shortly myself...it's in the General Discussion forum.

 

[Adventure]

When I bought my permit, I had in excess of 25 long guns and it was a $50 (Canadian) flat fee. That was in 2002.

You can list three firearms on the initial form and additional one have to be listed on the continuation form.

Here's a link to the form:

http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/online-en_ligne/form-assistance/PDFs/909_e.pdf

Your best bet is to fill it out ahead of time and have everything ready when you get to the border.

Yes, have the form filled out in advance but don't sign or date it as this needs to be witnessed by the customs officer on duty.

 

[TN_Hillbilly]

ship the long guns to yourself and fly up the handguns as checked baggage.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1666.xml

 

[AkHunter45]

Hmmmm, I don't remember filling out any form when I came back up in 2000 and I had 2 rifles with me.

 

[cobblefield]

Thanks for all the help guys

Thanks for all the help guys

I'll be moving to Anchorage from Indiana. We are in the process of interviewing moving companies and I'm hoping they will move the firearms...not sure about the ammo. I'll be flying up there with my family.

What is the best area area to live in with a 6th grade child? I understand Eagle River is nice with good schools.