Notice

Carriage of Ammunition on Board an Aircraft

Notice Summary

Issue

Transport of ammunition and firearms (loaded or unloaded) on board a commercial aircraft.

Transport Canada Regulations

• The transport of loaded firearms onboard a commercial aircraft is prohibited (For details see Section 3).
• Peace officers as defined in this Notice, are allowed to carry unloaded firearms on board a commercial aircraft (For details see Section 4).
• Ammunition may be carried in checked baggage (For details see Sub-section 5.1).
• Ammunition may be carried as cargo (For details see Sub-section 5.2).

1.0 Introduction

This Notice pertains to the transport of ammunition and firearms (loaded or unloaded) on board a commercial aircraft, and is of importance to Air Operators, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), Security Screening Agencies, Police Officers, and Peace Officers.

2.0 Regulatory Text

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR), and, by reference, the 2005/2006 International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO TI's) regulates the transport of dangerous goods to, from and within Canada.

The Canadian Aviation Security Regulations (CASR) regulate aviation security.

3.0 Transport of a loaded firearm on board an aircraft

The CASR prohibits the transport of loaded firearms on board an aircraft.

4.0 Transport of unloaded firearms on board an aircraft

The TDGR does not regulate the transport of unloaded firearms as there are no dangerous goods present.

The CASR state that peace officers, as defined in the CASR, are permitted to carry or have access to unloaded firearms on board an aircraft if they require access to the firearm immediately before, during or immediately after the flight (such as a prisoner escort). Certain conditions must be met and are outlined in the CASR.

The CASR define a "peace officer" as follows:

"(a) a member of the Correctional Service of Canada who is designated a peace officer under Part I of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and any other officer or permanent employee of a prison other than a penitentiary as defined in Part I of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act;

(b) a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a police officer, police constable or any person who is designated by the Solicitor General, the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or a provincial minister as a peace officer for the purpose of the preservation and maintenance of the public peace at an aerodrome; and

(c) an immigration officer who is enforcing any provision of the Immigration Act or any regulations, warrant, order or direction made under the Immigration Act respecting the arrest, detention or removal from Canada of any person."

5.0 Transport of ammunition on board an aircraft

5.1 Passenger Baggage

• Police officers or peace officers may carry ammunition in checked baggage in compliance with the Part 8 - Provisions for Passengers and Crew, which reads:

  "8;1.1.2 - The provision of these Instructions do not apply to the following when carried by passengers or crew members or in baggage, transported by the operator, that has been separated from its owner during transit:

  (d) with the approval of the operator(s), as checked baggage only, securely packaged cartridges (UN 0012 or UN 0014 only), in Division 1.4S, in quantities not exceeding 5 kg gross mass per person for that person's own use, excluding ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles. Allowances for more than one person must not be combined into one or more packages:"

5.2 Cargo

For the requirements governing the transport of ammunition as cargo on board an aircraft refer to Section 12.1 and 12.4 of the TDGR which are reproduced at the following websites:

www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/clear/part12.htm#12.1

www.tc.gc.ca/tdg/clear/part12.htm#12.4

For additional information please call:

• Atlantic: (506) 851-7247
• Quebec: (418) 640-2796
• Ontario : (416) 952-0000
• Prairie and Northern: (780) 495-5278
• Pacific: (604) 666-5655
• Airline Inspection: (514) 633-3116

www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/commerce/DangerousGoods