The Canadian Government Changes Legislation for Importing Ammunition

The new changes are part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to regulate firearms and related components while ensuring public safety.

The Government of Canada has announced, in its Customs Notice 24-26, changes to the laws regarding importing ammunition, cartridge magazines, and certain firearm parts into Canada by individuals or non-residents. 

As of September 1, 2024, a valid firearms licence is required for importing ammunition, cartridge magazines, and specific firearm parts, such as barrels and slides, into Canada.

This applies to ammunition that is not prohibited and cartridge magazines that are not classified as prohibited devices, per Canada’s criminal code.

Criminal code definitions

As per Section 84(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada:

• Ammunition is a cartridge containing a projectile designed for firearm discharge and includes a caseless cartridge and a shot shell.

• A cartridge magazine is a device or container from which ammunition can be loaded into the firing chamber of a firearm.

• A firearm part is a barrel for a firearm, a slide for a handgun, and any other specified part. However, unless otherwise specified, it does not include a barrel for a firearm or a slide for a handgun if the barrel or slide is designed exclusively for use on a firearm that is deemed not a firearm under Section 84(3).

A firearms licence becomes a mandate

According to the new regulations and the Firearms Act, any individual importing ammunition, cartridge magazines, or firearm parts into Canada—provided they are not prohibited by law—must present a valid firearms licence to a Border Service Officer (BSO) at the time of importation.

This rule applies to all Canadian residents and non-residents.

A list of all prohibited or restricted ammunition and weapons can be found in SOR 98-462 of the Criminal Code.  

Exceptions to the ammunition import regulations

Non-residents who are 18 years or older and do not hold a firearms licence may still be able to import ammunition, cartridge magazines, and firearm parts if they can demonstrate a valid purpose.

A valid purpose can be, but is not limited to:

1. Hunting during the applicable hunting season
2. Use in competitions
3. Repair
4. Re-enactments
5. In transit movement through Canada
6. Protection against wildlife in remote areas

In such cases, non-residents must:

• Declare the items at a Port of Entry
• Complete a Non-Resident Firearms Declaration (NRFD) form
• Have the declaration confirmed by a BSO.
  

Once confirmed, the declaration will serve as a temporary firearms licence for importation purposes. 

What isn’t changing in the new legislation

The personal exemption limits for the amount of ammunition individuals can bring into Canada remain the same. These limits are outlined in the Explosives Regulation 2013, Memorandum D19-6-1, and Memorandum D19-13-2.

Additionally, the commercial importation process for businesses remains unchanged.

If you’re importing ammunition into Canada, please reach out to one of our trade professionals to ensure compliance with the new import requirements.