Firearms 🇨🇦 Canada
PAL required; restricted and prohibited classifications
Can I bring Firearms into Canada?
PAL required; restricted and prohibited classifications
With PAL or temporary authorization
- PAL or Canadian Firearms Declaration
- Registration certificate
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Canada classifies firearms as non-restricted, restricted, or prohibited under the Firearms Act. Personal import requires a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or temporary import authorization. Handguns are restricted. AR-15 style rifles are prohibited since 2020. Temporary import for sporting/competition with Canadian Firearms Declaration. Enforcement in Canada carries fines from CAD 500 to CAD 5,000 under Customs Act R.S.C. 1985 c.1 s.12, s.153 (typical personal cases are handled as civil infringements).
PENALTIES
- Fine: 500–5000 CAD
- Civil penalty only
Leaving Canada with firearms
Export of firearms from Canada requires advance authorisation issued before departure under Firearms Act; Export and Import Permits Act. Unlicensed firearms export is a serious criminal offence carrying substantial fines and imprisonment. Even properly licensed domestic owners require the separate export authorisation for cross-border movement, and ammunition and firearm parts (barrels, receivers) fall under the same framework. Airlines additionally require advance notice and locked-case carriage in checked baggage.
Temporary import possible with Canadian Firearms Declaration. Many firearms classified as prohibited since 2020.
With PAL or temporary authorization
- PAL or Canadian Firearms Declaration
- Registration certificate
Firearms Act (S.C. 1995, c. 39)
This page covers destination customs rules in Canada. Whether you can carry firearms through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Firearms rules in other countries
Firearms
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Strict prohibition on most firearms
Firearms
🇦🇺 Australia
Prohibited without import permit
Firearms
🇯🇵 Japan
Complete civilian ban
Firearms
🇲🇽 Mexico
Illegal to bring firearms without SEDENA permit
Firearms
🇺🇸 United States
Second Amendment; state laws vary widely
Firearms
🇸🇬 Singapore
Complete civilian ban; severe penalties