Military and Technology
Firearms
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. I want to buy a firearm from
the US and have it sent to me in Canada.
A1. Any holder of a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) may
import a restricted or non-restricted firearm, depending on the limitations
of their PAL. However, the US control the export of most firearms (antiques
and muzzle-loaders are not controlled for export) and the US must issue
an export licence to the American exporter. Prior to issuing this licence
the US government requires that the Canadian importer present a document
from Canada allowing this proposed transaction. To satisfy that US requirement
Canadian residents may apply for an International Import Certificate (IIC).
The following steps are involved;
-
have the US seller identify the exporter - the US government requires
that this exporter be a Federal Firearms Licenced (FFL) gun dealer
for most exports. In many cases the US seller is an FFL dealer.
-
apply to International Trade Canada (ITCan) for an International
Import Certificate (IIC) by calling (613) 996-2387 or by faxing your
request to (613) 996-9933 and requesting blank application forms.
Once completed, the form should be returned to ITCan for processing
and certification. Expect this process to take 2-3 weeks. The certified
document will then be returned to the applicant for onward delivery
to the US exporter. There is no charge for the IIC.
-
pre-register the firearm through the Canada Firearms Centre. Pre-registration
allows the importer to clear the firearm through the Canada Border
Service Agency without any undue delay.
-
the US exporter will attach their copy of the IIC to their application
for an export licence. In the US, applications for shotguns are administered
by the Department of Commerce and for all other firearms are administered
by the Department of State.
-
once the US export licence is issued the US exporter may then send
the firearm to Canada.
-
the Canadian importer is responsible for declaring the value of
the firearm to Canada Customs and for ensuring that all safe storage
and safe transportation regulations are observed.
-
within 30 days of arrival in Canada, the importer must have the
firearm verified and such verification confirmed with the Canada Firearms
Centre.
Q2. I want to go to the US
and buy a firearm and return with it to Canada.
A2. The US passed new legislation in February 2003 which makes it illegal
for a ‘non-resident alien’ to come into possession of a firearm
in the US. This does not apply to antiques or muzzle-loading firearms,
nor does it apply to Canadians with legal residency in the US or to US
citizens, regardless of their residency. A Canadian may purchase a firearm
in the US but cannot take possession of it, nor can they export it from
the US. The only legal method is to come back to Canada and follow the
steps in Question 1 (above).
Q3. A family member in the US has
given or willed a firearm to a Canadian resident who wishes to import
it.
A3. The same procedure is required as in Question 1 (above) with a small
exception. The ‘holder’ of the firearm in the US would be
the exporter and this person can write a letter to the Department of Commerce
(shotguns only) or the Department of State (all other firearms) and request
a ‘one-time exemption’ from the export licence requirements
(refer to Attachment “B”
of the Department of State on-line document.) Note that the Canadian IIC
is still required by the US government before the exemption can be granted.
Q4. I want to buy parts in the US
for my firearm and import them into Canada.
A4. The US controls on the export of firearms extends to parts also.
For small orders worth less than US$100.00 the US Department of State
allows an exemption from the export licence. This exemption, however,
does not cover ‘significant’ parts which includes; barrels,
slides, cylinders, bolts, frames and receivers. It should be noted that
there is no equivalent exemption offered by the Department of Commerce
for shotgun parts. Further, there is no exemption for ammunition or ammunition
components. Canadian importers should follow the procedure outlined in
Q1 (above) to import parts not exempted.
Q5. I wish to buy ‘prohibited’
firearms or parts in the US and import them into Canada.
A5. The importation of ‘prohibited’ goods is strictly controlled
by Canadian legislation. The import of prohibited firearms may only be
undertaken by businesses with a Canadian Firearms Business Licence which
supply such firearms to the police, military or theatrical/cinematic industries.
For more information on import eligibility contact International Trade
Canada or your Chief Firearms Officer. The import of parts for prohibited
firearms is controlled by the “Export and Import Permits Act”
(EIPA) and an Import Permit is required. This is in addition to the IIC
which may be required by the exporting country. The import of parts for
prohibited firearms may require proof that the importer is a ‘grand-fathered’
owner of the firearms in question and that the imported parts are to maintain
the prohibited firearm in a safe condition.
Q6. I want to import a replica or
an air-gun.
A6. International Trade Canada does not control the importation of replica
firearms or of airguns. Contact the Canada Firearms Centre or the Canada
Border Services Agency for more information.
Q7. I want to permanently export
a firearm to the US.
A7. Firearms that are classified as either restricted or non-restricted
may be exported to the US without a Canadian Export Permit. However, the
Canadian exporter must be in possession of an approved US import permit
(currently this is a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Form 6 (BATF Form 6)). To export prohibited firearms the exporter must
apply for an export permit from International Trade Canada (ITCan). Blank
applications are available by calling (613) 996-2387 or by faxing your
request to (613) 996-9933. Completed applications must be accompanied
by a US Import Permit (BATF Form 6) which specifically identifies the
firearm to be exported. Canadian exporters are required to report the
permanent export of firearms to the Canada Firearms Centre. It is recommended
that copies of the Export Permit, foreign import authorisation and any
waybill issued by the carrier be provided to the Canada Firearms Centre
to support the exporters claim of permanent export. A photocopy of the
foreign import authorisation should be included with the package when
shipped.
Q8. I want to go to the US to hunt
or to shoot in a competition.
A8. The US passed legislation in 2002 which now requires all ‘non-resident
aliens’ to obtain a temporary import permit (BATF Form 6NIA) prior
to travelling in the US with a firearm. This document requires proof of
registration at a shooting event or possession of a valid hunting licence
issued by any State of the US. The Form 6 can be applied for on-line as
can some State hunting licences. Once issued the Form 6 can be valid for
up to a year (in the case of hunters) or to the date of the competition.
Canadian firearms owners should be prepared to show proof of firearms
licence and registration when they return to Canada.
Q9. I want to permanently export
a firearm to a country other than the US
A9. In keeping with Canada’s multilateral agreements on the international
movement of firearms, the Canadian exporter must obtain an Export Permit
from International Trade Canada (ITCan). Blank applications are available
by calling (613) 996-2387 or by faxing your request to (613) 996-9933.
Completed applications must be accompanied by an import authorisation
issued by the destination country. In cases where no import authorisation
is required, a letter of explanation, issued by the destination country,
must be provided. Allow 6-8 weeks for the application to be processed.
Canadian exporters are required to report the permanent export of firearms
to the Canada Firearms Centre. It is recommended that copies of the Export
Permit, foreign import authorisation and any waybill issued by the carrier
be provided to the Canada Firearms Centre to support the exporters claim
of permanent export. A photocopy of the foreign import authorisation should
be included with the package when shipped.
Q10. I want to take my firearm hunting
or to a shooting competition to a country other than the US.
A10. The temporary export of firearms requires an Export Permit from
International Trade Canada (ITCan). Blank applications are available by
calling (613) 996-2387 or by faxing your request to (613) 996-9933. The
need for an import authorisation from the destination country is waived.
Conditions attached to the temporary Export Permit require that the firearm
be returned to Canada and that proof of such return is reported to ITCan.
Canadian exporters wishing to take their firearms into another country
should ensure that their plans are in keeping with the firearms law of
the destination country.
Q11. I want to export my firearm
to a foreign country and it must travel through one or more intermediary
countries
A11. Many countries control the ‘in-transit’ movement of
firearms and ammunition through their territory. Ensure that you or your
carrier are aware of any requirements and whether those requirements are
limited to ‘third party’ movements, i.e., a freight company
is transiting a foreign country as opposed to the owner transporting their
own firearm through a foreign country. The Canadian government cannot
assist in cases where a firearm has been seized by a foreign government
because their transit regulations were not observed. In the case of firearms
shipped through the US, refer to Attachment
“C” of the Department of State on-line document.
Contact information
CANADA
International Trade Canada
Firearms Export and Import (EPE)
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
ph. (613) 996-2387
fx. (613) 996-9933
Canada Border Services Agency
Automated Customs Information Services
ph. (800) 461-9999 (from within Canada)
ph.(204) 983-3500 / (506) 636-5064 (from outside Canada, long-distance
charges apply)
Canada Firearms Centre
ph. (800) 731-4000 (from North America)
UNITED STATES
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Firearms & Explosives Imports Division
ph. (202) 927-8320
fx. (202) 927-2697
Web-site
on-line import (Form
6NIA) application for temporary importations only (hunting, competitive
shooting, etc.)
Department of State
Directorate of Defence Trade Controls
PM/DDTC, SA-1, 12th Floor
Bureau of Political Military AffairsU.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20522-0112
ph. (202) 663-1282 (for general inquiries about and guidance on licensing
and compliance matters)
fx. (202) 261-8199
e-mail
Web-site
Department of Commerce
Bureau of Industry and Security
14th St & Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington DC 20230
ph. (202) 482-4811
Web-site
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