Thank You Letter

Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 8:29 AM
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Subject: Import of C96 broomhandles to Canada

Hello!

Just a quick e-mail to let you know that my brooms are now in my possession and are safely in my gun safe. A big "thank you " to all of you for your honesty and professionalism!

For your amusement, here is a rundown of what was involved from my end to take possession of the brooms. Sounds quite involved but everything went smoothly as I had every paper and permit required. Just a lot of driving to and from the airport and walking from one counter to the next.

Here is the story...
Last Saturday I received a call from Air Canada Cargo (DHL) that the pistols had arrived at the airport. An e-mail was sent too. On Monday I faxed this notification and all the permits to the local firearms registrar and within a couple of hours they faxed back an approved permit to transport the pistols from the airport to my home. With this last piece of paperwork in hand, I went to the airport yesterday. I had to go to the airport yesterday as my transport permit was only good for 24 hours.

1) A first stop at Air Canada cargo's desk. Waited in line with others while looking at clerks shuffle wads of air landing documents for all sorts of cargo. When it was my turn, I paid for the air shipping (about $200) and was given a receipt.

2) Then it was off to Canada Custom's office at the other end of the building (huge, brand new air terminal warehouse building about a football filed in length). I submitted all the permits, receipts, etc to the customs agents. All was OK but they still had to do a visual inspection to see if the goods were really as described. This was going to take at least 1 hour as they were busy doing other inspections. I could not wait that long so I returned to the office (I was on a late "lunch break").

3) After work, I returned to the airport at 7pm.

It took more time as the Customs inspector on late duty had to deal with an unexpected problem of meat imports and where to store the stuff (?!!) . Apologies were given for the delay. Customs inspectors seemed to have been amused and intrigued by these old brooms covered in cosmoline. Still, I was treated with professionalism and in a relatively friendly manner. Canadian Customs officers are usually like this. Then I paid the federal and provincial taxes on the declared value and was on my way back to Air Canada Cargo with a customs document covered in ink stamps and declaring the goods inspected, taxes paid and allowed to release.

4) Once back at the Air Canada Cargo desk, more ink stamps were applied to the customs release document and I was directed to the warehouse itself where an employee went and got my parcel. I can just imagine how much paperwork is produced by millions of tons of cargo coming in and out of this terminal. No wonder the employees looked bored out of their skulls. Finally, I drove back home with the pistols locked in a metal container as required for the transport of handguns in Canada.

I only had a quick look at the two pistols because I had many other things to do last night, so my inspection was semi-complete. Lets just say that I'm happy with my purchase and the overall the condition of these old pistols. Most numbers are matching and original which was a big thing for me. These brooms were worth the wait and effort

Once again, thanks to all.

P.