Transporting your guns into Canada:

As of January 1, 2001, the procedures for bringing firearms into Canada, or for borrowing firearms while in Canada, change as a result of mandatory license requirements for all firearms owners and users in Canada

For the purposes of Canadian law, the three classes of firearms are:

Non-restricted (most ordinary rifles and shotguns);

Restricted (mainly handguns); and Prohibited (full automatics, converted automatics, handguns with a barrel length of 105 mm (approx. 4") or less, and .25 or .32 calibre handguns among others).

You may not bring a prohibited firearm or replica firearm into Canada.

To bring a non-restricted firearm into Canada: You must be at least 18 years old. (Call for options for minors who use firearms.)

You must declare your firearms at your first point of entry.

Declaring your Firearms

The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) is responsible for all customs procedures. Here are the basics if you are bringing firearms into Canada. In most cases, you will have to declare your firearms in writing, using an a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration (form JUS 909 EF), beginning January 1, 2001.

Your declaration must be confirmed by a customs officer. The confirmed declaration will serve as a temporary license and registration certificate for up to 60 days.

Please fill out the declaration form before you arrive to save time at the point of entry. However, note that the form must be signed in front of the Customs officer at the point of entry. You will find information on where to get forms at the end of this bulletin.

Fees (in Canadian Funds)

A Non-Resident Firearm Declaration will cost $50. It can be renewed any number of times within a 12-month period at no extra cost.

You can obtain forms and additional information on the legal requirements under the Firearms Act by calling 1-800-731-4000 (if you live in the U.S.) or 1-506-624-5380 (if you live in another country). If you book with us, we will send you forms prior to your departure for Canada.