Customs Notice 24-26: Firearms Licence Requirement for the Importation of Ammunition, Cartridge Magazines and Firearm Parts by Individuals or Non-Residents

Ottawa, August 16, 2024

1. This Notice is to advise interested parties that the Government of Canada has changed the legislation regarding the importation of ammunition, other than prohibited ammunition, cartridge magazines and firearm parts (barrel and slides), by an individual or non-resident. The changes detailed below will take effect on September 1, 2024.

2. The Criminal Code of Canada's Section 84 (1) definition of ammunition means a cartridge containing a projectile designed to be discharged from a firearm and, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, includes a caseless cartridge and a shot shell.

3. The Criminal Code of Canada's Section 84 (1) definition of cartridge magazine means a device or container from which ammunition may be fed into the firing chamber of a firearm.

4. The Criminal Code of Canada's Section 84 (1) definition of firearm part means a barrel for a firearm, a slide for a handgun and any other prescribed part, but does not include, unless otherwise prescribed, a barrel for a firearm or a slide for a handgun if that barrel or slide is designed exclusively for use on a firearm that is deemed under subsection 84(3) not to be a firearm.

5. Per the Firearms Act an individual may import ammunition, other than prohibited ammunition, or a cartridge magazine, other than a cartridge magazine that is prescribed to be a prohibited device, or a firearm part, only if, at the time of the importation, they hold a valid firearms licence and produce the licence to a Border Service Officer (BSO).

6. Exceptions: Provided that they can demonstrate a valid purpose, non-residents who at the time of the importation, are 18 years old or older and who do not hold a firearm licence may import ammunition, other than prohibited ammunition, cartridge magazines other than a prohibited device, or a firearm part if:

• They declare the ammunition, cartridge magazine or firearm parts at a Port of Entry, to a BSO and complete the non-resident firearms declaration (NRFD, RCMP 5589) containing the prescribed information
• The BSO confirms the declaration in the prescribed manner

  Note: A confirmed declaration NRFD/RCMP 5589, has the same effect as a valid firearms licence for the purpose of importing the ammunition, cartridge magazine or firearm part.

7. The personal exemption limits for the importation of ammunition remain the same. These limits can be found in:

• Explosives Regulation 2013
• D19-6-1 Import, export and in transit requirements of the Explosives Act and Regulations
• D19-13-2 Importing and Exporting Firearms, Weapons and Devices

8. The commercial importation process has not been changed.

For further information regarding these changes, please contact:

Commercial Analysis Research and Engagement
Other Government Department Programs Unit
Canada Border Services Agency
100 Metcalfe, 8th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1P 0A7
E-mail: faw.aaf@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

The CBSA's policy on these importations, is available in the Customs D Memoranda D19-6-1 and D19-13-2. Both will be revised to reflect this change to the importation of ammunition.