Driving to Alaska? Here’s How to Transport Guns to Alaska
Morgan Rogue 01.27.22
Whether you’re planning a hunting trip, vacation, or moving to Alaska, if you’re driving, you’ll be going through Canada which means gun restrictions.
Traveling by plane with a gun is less complicated than trying to get through Canada with a gun, especially as a foreigner. If you’re able to fly or ferry to Alaska, that’s ideal, it’ll also take a lot less time.
However, if you need to drive…
Here’s what you need to know about transporting guns to Alaska:
Ship long guns through USPS
Long guns can go through USPS. Package them up, go to USPS and send them to yourself in Alaska. Long guns must be unloaded prior to shipping through USPS.
Ship handguns through FFL
Even though long guns can be sent through USPS no problem, handguns must be shipped through an FFL. If you have never used an FFL before, call around to gun shops and ask if they are an FFL or if they know someone who is. You can also do an internet search in your local area and the area you’re traveling to in Alaska. Handguns must be unloaded prior to shipping through FFL.
There is a process to carry a gun into Canada
If you are dead set on trying to keep your guns and get them into Canada, there is a way, but there is red tape and plenty of regulations and restrictions.
First, check to see if your firearm is on the prohibited list.
Second, look at the import regulations.
From the website:
Visitors to Canada
To import firearms into Canada you must have a valid purpose. Valid purposes can include (but are not limited to) the following:
- hunting during hunting season
- use in competitions
- repair
- re-enactments
- in transit movement, i.e., moving in the most direct route possible from point A to point B, through Canada
- protection against wildlife in remote areas
Restricted firearms
Visitors who do not hold a valid Canadian firearms licence or registration certificate for their restricted firearm must:
- complete Form RCMP 5589: Non-Resident Firearm Declaration
- pay a Can $25 fee
Once confirmed by a border services officer, the form acts as the licence and as the temporary registration certificate for the firearms.
Here’s some additional information about taking firearms into Canada.
Always check the Canadian website for additional information and updated laws.
Can carry up to 10,000 rounds of ammo
Canada allows you to carry up to 10,000 rounds of ammo into Canada. Which is good because it’s almost impossible to get ammo to Alaska in any other way outside of freight.
Which is right for you?
Look at these options and see which one is going to be right for you. Depending on the type of gun(s) you have, you may need to ship some while only carrying a couple into Canada. Last I checked, you could only take a total of three into Canada to begin with, so again, depending on how many firearms you have, you may have to ship them anyway.
Don’t forget, Canada also has their own COVID restrictions. Do make sure to check the restrictions before trying to pass through the border.
None of this is necessarily difficult, it just takes some extra planning on your part.
