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Buying, selling and storing smokeless powder

Smokeless powder is a type of propellant powder. It is a single-based or double-based colloidal nitrocellulose mixture. It is extremely flammable and can easily ignite and burn under normal conditions. Under specific conditions, smokeless powder can detonate. (Smokeless powders are classified under the Explosives Regulations as Type P.2.)

The following guidance is for anyone involved with smokeless powder. For situations not covered here, including exemptions and conditions, consult the Explosives Regulations.

Buying smokeless powder

You are permitted to buy smokeless powder if you are 18 or older unless otherwise exempted by the Explosives Regulations. For more than 75 kilograms of smokeless powder in a storage unit or more than 25 kg in a detached dwelling, you must have an explosives licence.

Storing smokeless powder

Storage requirements for users

Smokeless powder must be stored in its original packaging or in ammunition (small arms cartridges).

If you do not have an explosives licence, smokeless powder must be stored in a dwelling (such as a house, apartment or cottage) or a storage unit.

If you have an explosives licence, smokeless powder must be stored in the magazine specified in your licence. Propellant powder (smokeless powder or black powder, also known as gunpowder) and primers (percussion caps) must be stored in separate magazines.

Dwelling

The amount of smokeless powder you are permitted to store in a detached dwelling (such as a house, apartment or cottage) or a storage unit attached to a detached dwelling depends on whether you are also storing black powder. You are permitted to store up to 25 kilograms of propellant powder (smokeless powder and black powder combined), but the amount of black powder must be 10 kilograms or less.

You are permitted to store up to 5 kilograms of smokeless powder in an attached dwelling (such as a house, apartment or cottage) if it is in containers that are greater than 1 kilogram.

You are permitted to store up to 20 kilograms of smokeless powder in an attached dwelling if it is in containers that are 1 kilogram or less.

You are permitted to store up to 25 kilograms of smokeless powder in a detached dwelling or a storage unit that is attached to a detached dwelling. This amount includes all the propellant powders at the dwelling.

You must store the smokeless powder away from flammable substances and sources of ignition. You must ensure that they can be accessed only by people you have authorized.

Storage unit

You are permitted to store up to 75 kilograms of smokeless powder for use in a storage unit that is not attached to a dwelling.

  • The storage unit must be in a dry place, away from flammable substances and sources of ignition.
  • The storage unit must prevent unauthorized access and protect the contents from weather.
  • If the storage unit is a container, it must not block exit in case of fire.
  • If the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept clear.
  • Any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal).
  • Only ammunition (small arms cartridges), black powder, primers (percussion caps) or black powder cartouches are permitted to be stored with the smokeless powder.
  • Smokeless powder and black powder, primers, ammunition and black powder cartouches must be stored separately (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier).
  • The storage unit must be monitored when it is unlocked.
  • The storage unit must be kept clean, dry, organized and free of grit.
  • Any spill, leakage or other contamination must be cleaned up immediately.
  • You must take steps to minimize the risk of fire in or near the storage unit.
  • You must post a sign that displays the words “Danger — Fire Hazard/Risque d’incendie” in letters at least 10 centimetres high on the storage unit in a clearly visible location. The sign must also prohibit smoking using letters or a symbol at least 10 centimetres high.

Storage requirements for sellers

If you hold an explosives licence, you are permitted to buy and store more than 75 kilograms of smokeless powder you intend to sell.

If you do not hold an explosives licence, you must send written notice to the Chief Inspector of Explosives before you are permitted to sell propellant powder (smokeless powder or black powder). This notice must include your name, address, telephone number, fax number and email address, as well as the date on which you will begin to sell propellant powder.

If you do not hold a licence, the smokeless powder that is not displayed for sale must be stored in a storage unit in a sales establishment or a dwelling.

If you hold an explosives licence, the smokeless powder that is not displayed for sale must be stored in the magazine specified in your licence.

Propellant powder (smokeless powder and black powder) and primers (percussion caps) must be stored separately from each other.

Dwelling

The following information applies to retailers and distributors that store smokeless powder in a dwelling.

You are permitted to store up to 5 kilograms of smokeless powder you intend to sell in an attached dwelling if the containers are greater than 1 kilogram gross mass.

You are permitted to store up to 20 kilograms of smokeless powder you intend to sell in an attached dwelling if the containers are 1 kilogram gross mass or less.

You are permitted to store up to 25 kilograms of smokeless powder you intend to sell in a detached dwelling or a storage unit attached to a detached dwelling. This amount includes any black powder being stored at the dwelling.

When stored in a dwelling, smokeless powder must be stored away from flammable substances and sources of ignition. You must ensure that it can be accessed only by people you have authorized.

Storage unit

If you do not hold an explosives licence, you are permitted to store up to 75 kilograms of propellant powder, whether black powder or smokeless powder, in a storage unit. This is a total amount for all of your storage units combined.

  • The storage unit must be in a dry place, away from flammable substances and sources of ignition.
  • The storage unit must prevent unauthorized access and protect the contents from weather.
  • If the storage unit is a container, it must not block exit in case of fire.
  • If the storage unit is not a container, all exits must be kept clear.
  • Any shelving in the storage unit must be made from a non-sparking material (for example, wood or painted metal).
  • Only ammunition (small arms cartridges), black powder, primers (percussion caps) and/or black powder cartouches are permitted to be stored with the smokeless powder.
  • Smokeless powder and black powder, primers, ammunition and black powder cartouches must be stored separately (for example, on different shelves or separated by a wooden barrier).
  • The storage unit must be monitored when it is unlocked.
  • The storage unit must be kept clean, dry, organized and free of grit.
  • Any spill, leakage or other contamination must be cleaned up immediately.
  • You must take steps to minimize the risk of fire in or near the storage unit.
  • You must post a sign that displays the words “Danger — Fire Hazard/Risque d’incendie” in letters at least 10 centimetres high on the storage unit in a clearly visible location. The sign must also prohibit smoking using letters or a symbol at least 10 centimetres high.

Selling smokeless powder

As a retailer, you are permitted to buy, sell and store smokeless powder without an explosives licence.

As a distributor, you must have an explosives licence to sell smokeless powder to other distributors or retailers.

If you do not hold an explosives licence, you must send written notice to the Chief Inspector of Explosives before you are permitted to sell propellant powder (black powder or smokeless powder). This notice must include your name, address, telephone number, and email address, as well as the date on which you will begin to sell propellant powder.

Displaying for sale

The amount of smokeless powder you are permitted to display for sale depends on the amount of black powder that is also being displayed. You are permitted to display up to 12 kilograms (including in containers and ammunition) of smokeless powder and black powder combined, which includes up to 500 grams of black powder (including in containers and ammunition).

The smokeless powder that is displayed for sale must be in containers that hold up to 500 grams each.

The smokeless powder displayed for sale must be kept behind a sales counter or locked up (for example, in a cabinet).

Only people you have authorized can have access to the area behind the sales counter.

Maximum quantities

If the buyer holds an explosives licence, you are permitted to sell them the maximum quantity of smokeless powder (propellant powder) listed on their licence.

If the buyer does not hold an explosives licence, you are permitted to sell them the maximum quantity they are authorized to store under the Explosives Regulations.

Identification

You must verify the buyer’s identity before you are permitted to sell them smokeless powder. The buyer must prove their identity by providing you with:

  • a piece of photo identification, issued by the government of Canada or a provincial, municipal or foreign government; or
  • two pieces of identification, both with the buyer’s name. At least one must have been issued by the Government of Canada or a provincial, municipal or foreign government, and at least one must have the buyer’s address.

If the buyer provides photo identification, you must verify that it has a photograph of the buyer.

Record of sale

You must keep a record of every sale of propellant powder. The record must be kept for 2 years after the sale. The record must include:

  • the buyer’s name and address or licence number if any, issued under the Firearms Act
  • in the case of a licensed buyer, the licence number and expiry date
  • the type and product name of the powder sold, the size of the container, and the name of the person who obtained its authorization
  • the quantity of powder sold under each product name
  • the date of the sale

More information

Consult the following guidelines on safely storing propellant powders, including smokeless powder in a licensed magazine:

Contact us

Find contact information for general inquiries or urgent requests related to explosives, fireworks, ammunition or restricted components.

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