Stopped at Customs???

by **modifried** » 11 Feb 2005 21:13

I'm mostly just posting in here to give a big thanks to Romstar for your posts clarifying the sections of the Canadian Criminal Code. I live in BC and (in my ever increasing naÃ¯vety) didn't even think about lock picking being illegal before placing my order at lockpicks.com.

I'm just obsessed with skills that involve dexterity, and this seemed like a fun thing to try. Glad to know it's fine for me to possess them.

I noticed the part about BC, AB, and SK not being the same, but on reading further into this thread it looks like that was that just in relation to what it takes to be considered a locksmith? Or is the Criminal Code amended in those three provinces with changes to the rules regarding possession?

Just a yes or no on the last question would be nice, I can dig up info on BC's criminal code if so.

Cheers, and thanks again.

by **modifried** » 11 Feb 2005 21:21

Well! I was off. Just ran through the Law thread. From BC's Criminal Code..

(4) A person, other than an authorized person, must not have in his or her possession

(a) a key, pick, rocker key or vibrating pick tool, or

(b) any instrument

that is designed or adapted to open a lock without using the proper key or combination or to bypass a lock.

I guess that means me.

by **Varjeal** » 11 Feb 2005 21:50

B.C. is pretty strict when it comes to possession, and so is Alberta, so be very careful as it is illegal in both provinces without a justice department issued license.

by **modifried** » 11 Feb 2005 22:47

Varjeal wrote:B.C. is pretty strict when it comes to possession, and so is Alberta, so be very careful as it is illegal in both provinces without a justice department issued license.

So it seems.. if they do make it past customs and into my house, they sure won't be leaving it. And if they don't make it past customs, I'm only out $45 or so and have to find a new hobby. Let's hope not, though. It really looks like fun. Will be sure to be careful, thanks.

by **digital_blue** » 12 Feb 2005 9:43

If they don't make it through customs, don't give up just yet. You could always make your own tools. Many of us on the site make tools. You will find lots of information on here including a great video by pyro.

In all probability, they will make it just fine.

Happy picking!

db

by **raimundo** » 11 Mar 2005 10:43

how long is the delay when customs (cuz tom, or as they say in french, dwayne) is inspecting a package, and do you get packages returned if it has like for instance if it were sent to canada and had like a playboy magazine in it which the government of kanada won't allow, My experience is that cuz tom holds things as long a two months, and will sometimes return the package to the sender (got some picks back from italy once. had a package to holland held up for two or more months a few years ago, and finally they let the guy have it.)
Whats your experience with Cuz tom?

by **Vek** » 16 Mar 2005 2:20

I ordered some picks from Lockpickshop.com not long ago. They've been shipped (To Toronto, Ontario, btw), and US Post and Canada Post both agree they're somewhere between the US and Canada, so I'll let you know how quickly they arrive and if there's any problems.

I hope not. I want to get started on this.

by **digital_blue** » 16 Mar 2005 15:18

You can probably count on a week to 10 days for your order if it's being shipped via USPS. Faster if it comes by UPS, but considerably more costly.

db

by **Vek** » 29 Mar 2005 21:27

A quick update, because I said I would, it's the 29th, and according to the tracking webpage, it has been in customs since the 15th. So about 2 weeks now. I *think* it's now through and on it's way to me house, but we'll see.

I want my lockpicks :cry:

On the upside, at least Lockpickshop.com shipped 'em quickly. It only took a day or so for them to process the order and ship it, it's just been sitting in customs.

My luck. Bleh. Let's see when they get here.

by **Vek** » 2 Apr 2005 20:27

My picks arrived today. Woo!

They spent 2 weeks in customs, and were in fact opened by customs, but they came through fine. Just took a while.

Now, I'm off to try this practice lock out. Wish me luck

by **wiredgargoyle** » 8 Apr 2005 12:53

Just thought I'd relate my experience ordering lockpicks from the U.S.

I ordered the MPXS-14 set along with 'Visual Guide to Lock Picking' from lockpickshop.com on April 3rd. They arrived today, April 8th using USPS Global Priority Mail. They weren't opened or even examined it seems. Lockpickshop.com packed them in a sealed shipping envelope AND THEN packed them in the Global Priority shipping envelope.

They were marked as 'Book & Tools'

by **Vek** » 8 Apr 2005 23:14

Mine were marked "Tool kit". The first envelope was opened, but the second one seemed unopened. Which makes me wonder why it sat for 2 weeks in the customs office. *shrug* Just bad luck, I guess

Came through fine in the end though

by **digital_blue** » 8 Apr 2005 23:31

It probably took 'em 2 weeks to find their copy of the Criminal Code of Canada and figure out they're not illegal.

db

by **scriptguru** » 24 Aug 2011 20:06

Good news, guys.
It is legal in BC (not sure about other provinces) to possess lockpicks as long as you open only your own locks and don't offer your services to others.
Proof (just received an official response):
[quote]
Dear Val Polyakh:

In response to your inquiry, you do not require a security worker license for the purpose of possession of lock picking tools. A security worker license is required for anyone operating or employed as a locksmith.

In Canada, possession of lock picking tools, with the exception of key duplication tools, is legal. Lock pick tools fit in the same category as crowbars or hammers, meaning they are legal to possess and use unless they are used to commit a crime or if it is shown there was "intention to commit a crime" in which case "Possession of tools with the intention of committing a crime" applies - which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail. See Part VIII - Section 351. Some provinces require a license to carry lock picks.

Please be advised section 351 of the Criminal Code states:

351. (1) Every one who, without lawful excuse, the proof of which lies on him, has in his possession any instrument suitable for the purpose of breaking into any place, motor vehicle, vault or safe under circumstances that give rise to a reasonable inference that the instrument has been used or is or was intended to be used for any such purpose, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years.

In British Columbia, the Security Services Act section 25 (4) states:
(4) A person, other than an authorized person or an owner of a locking device, must not possess any instrument designed or adapted to open or bypass a locking device without using the key or combination unique to that locking device, including any of the following:

(a) a key;

(b) a pick;

(c) a rocker key;

(d) a vibrating pick tool.

As such, you do not require a security license to own lock pick tools as long as you are only opening your own locks and not offering any service to others.

Regards

Stephen Hitchcock
Stephen G. Hitchcock
Manager Compliance and Enforcement

Security Programs Division
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Box 9217 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9J1

Office Phone:(250) 387 - 2658
Fax:(250) 387 - 1911
Cellular:(250) 213 - 5629
e-mail: Stephen.Hitchcock@gov.bc.ca
Security Programs website: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/securityindustry/index.htm
[/quote]

Hope it will help to all locksport fans.

by mh » 24 Aug 2011 23:15

Laws...
Who would actually fit to this description: "A person, other than an authorized person or an owner of a locking device"?

Cheers
mh

Stopped at Customs???

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