Permits, licences, certificates and regulations for ammunition and propellant powders

Are you involved with manufacturing, buying, selling, storing, importing, exporting or transporting ammunition (small arms cartridges) and/or propellant powders?

For these activities, you might need to meet certain requirements. You might also need to obtain an authorization, permit, licence or certificate. Canada’s requirements for ammunition and propellant powders ensure that they are made, transported and stored safely.

The following guidance is for anyone involved with ammunition (small arms cartridges) and propellant powders. For situations not covered here, including exemptions and conditions, consult the Explosives Regulations.

For general information about firearms in Canada, see Firearms (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and Firearms (Public Safety Canada).

Authorization

Ammunition (small arms cartridges), propellant powders and primers (percussion caps) manufactured, transported, bought, sold or used in Canada, or imported into Canada, must be authorized by Natural Resources Canada. There are exemptions from the requirement for authorization. You are permitted to manufacture ammunition or black powder cartouches for personal use, and to import ammunition, propellant powders and primers for personal use, even if the products have not been authorized. For more information about exemptions, see the Explosives Regulations section 25.

You can learn whether explosives, including ammunition, have been authorized by checking the list of authorized explosives in Canada. The list does not include military or law enforcement ammunition or ammunition authorized for a specified period. If a particular ammunition item or a propellant powder is not authorized in Canada, you can apply to have it authorized.

Manufacturing

To manufacture any type of explosives, including ammunition and propellant powders, in Canada, you must have a licence or certificate to manufacture explosives. There are some exemptions for specific activities. You are permitted to manufacture ammunition (small arms cartridges) or black powder cartouches for personal use without a licence.

For more information, consult Manufacturing explosives.

Importing, exporting and transporting

You do not need a permit to import certain amounts of ammunition (small arms cartridges), primers (percussion caps), propellant powders and primed cases into Canada for personal use, or to export them from Canada to another country for personal use. For larger amounts, or to sell ammunition, primers, propellant powders, or primed cases, you must have a permit. To learn more about the amounts requiring a permit and how to apply for import or export permits, see Importing, exporting and transporting ammunition and propellant powders.

You do not need a permit to transport certain amounts of ammunition (small arms cartridges), propellant powders, primers (also called percussion caps), or primed cases for personal use originating in another country through Canada and onward to another country (transporting in-transit). However, for large amounts of ammunition, propellant powders, primers or primed cases, you need an in-transit permit. You do not need to ensure that ammunition, propellant powders, primers, or primed cases transported in-transit are authorized in Canada. To learn more about the amounts requiring a permit and how to apply, see Importing, exporting and transporting ammunition and propellant powders.

When transporting ammunition, propellant powders, primers (percussion caps) or primed cases within Canada, requirements depend on the type and amount of ammunition, propellant powders, primers or primed cases. For common types of ammunition, the products must be transported in a package or container that minimizes the risk of ignition. For additional information, consult Importing, exporting and transporting ammunition and propellant powders. For larger amounts of propellant powders ,you need to meet safety and security requirements of the Explosives Regulations as well as requirements for the transportation of dangerous goods. For more information, consult Part 9 of the Explosives Regulations and Transportation of dangerous goods in Canada (Transport Canada) or the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Transport Canada).

Buying, selling and storing

To buy, sell or store ammunition, primers (percussion caps), propellant powders or primed cases, you must meet safety and security requirements. The requirements depend on the type and quantity. You must be 18 or older to handle ammunition and propellant powders unless exempted by the Explosives Act or Explosives Regulations.

For more information, consult ammunition, black powder, smokeless powder and primers.

To manage your explosives licensing needs, the most efficient approach is to use the electronic Licence Management System (eLMS). All services are available, i.e., starting an application, making payments, checking an application status, updating information and receiving approvals.

Consult explosives guidelines and standards to help you manage ammunition and propellant powders effectively and safely.

More information

Learn about Canada’s law and regulations on explosives and national and international cooperation.

Contact us

Explosives Regulatory Division
National Headquarters
588 Booth Street, 4th Floor
Ottawa ON  K1A 0Y7
Tel.: 1-855-912-0012
Email: ERDmms@nrcan.gc.ca