Guide · Canada and United States
Firearms and weapons at the Canada-US border: basics from CBSA and CBP
General information, not official or legal advice. Customs, immigration and border rules change and every situation is different. Check the linked official sources and the agency’s current page before you travel. This site is not affiliated with CBP, the CBSA, DHS or any government.
Short answer
The CBSA says to declare all firearms to a border services officer on arrival, provide the required documents and answer truthfully; undeclared or untruthful declarations can mean seizure, criminal charges and monetary penalties.[1] Visitors without a Canadian licence complete form RCMP 5589 (Non-Resident Firearm Declaration) and pay CAN$25; once confirmed by a border services officer, the declaration has the same effect as a temporary licence for up to 60 days; prohibited firearms cannot be imported at all.[1]
Steps
- The CBSA sorts firearms into non-restricted, restricted and prohibited, and says visitors cannot import prohibited ones. Confirm classification with the Canadian Firearms Program (1-800-731-4000).[1]
- The CBSA says importers must be at least 18 and have a valid purpose, and that personal protection is not a valid purpose.[1]
- The CBSA says visitors without a Canadian licence complete RCMP 5589 and pay CAN$25 for non-restricted firearms, and restricted firearms also need an Authorization to Transport (ATT).[1]
- The CBSA says all firearms must be declared on arrival with documents presented, and transported unloaded and locked as the law requires.[1]
- The CBSA says hunters need a licence from each province or territory where they hunt and that firearms are forbidden in many parks.[1]
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Declaration | All firearms must be declared on arrival | [1], read 2026-10-20 |
| Minimum age to import | 18 | [1], read 2026-10-20 |
| Visitor fee and form | RCMP 5589 Non-Resident Firearm Declaration, CAN$25 | [1], read 2026-10-20 |
| Validity of confirmed declaration | Up to 60 days once confirmed by a border services officer; same effect as a temporary licence | [1], read 2026-10-20 |
| Restricted firearms (visitors) | NRFD plus Authorization to Transport (ATT); without ATT CBSA may hold the firearm 14 days | [1], read 2026-10-20 |
| Prohibited firearms (visitors) | Importation prohibited under any circumstances | [1], read 2026-10-20 |
| Ammunition for hunting / competition (with PAL or NRFD) | Up to 200 rounds duty-free for hunting; up to 1,500 for a recognized competition | [1], read 2026-10-20 |
| US export notice (US persons) | Temporary export generally needs a BIS license, or the BAG license exception with CBP Form 4457 | [2], read 2026-10-20 |
Entering Canada as a visitor
The CBSA says valid purposes can include (but are not limited to): hunting during hunting season (non-restricted firearms only), competitions, repair, in-transit movement by the most direct route, and protection against wildlife in remote areas (non-restricted only). It says use of firearms for personal protection or protection of property is not a valid purpose to import a firearm into Canada.[1] The officer must be satisfied of your valid reason and may check that firearms are stored properly and match your documents.[1]
| Type | Without a Canadian licence |
|---|---|
| Non-restricted | RCMP 5589 + CAN$25 (if the officer confirms the declaration); no ATT required |
| Restricted | RCMP 5589 + CAN$25 (if the officer confirms the declaration); ATT required |
| Prohibited | Importation prohibited |
Source: CBSA firearms page.[1] To get an ATT, the CBSA says to call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 for an application and obtain approval from the Chief Firearms Officer of the province you are visiting.[1]
Ammunition, magazines and parts
Since September 1, 2024, individuals can import ammunition (other than prohibited), cartridge magazines (other than prohibited devices) and firearm parts such as barrels and handgun slides only if they present a valid firearms licence; non-residents aged 18+ with a valid purpose and no licence can instead complete RCMP 5589 and pay CAN$25, valid for 60 days. Non-residents with a PAL or NRFD can import 200 rounds duty-free for hunting or up to 1,500 for a recognized competition. Ammunition can cross without a Natural Resources Canada permit if it is for personal use, stays with you, small arms cartridges have no tracer or incendiary component, and the quantity does not exceed that set in the Explosives Regulations, 2013.[1]
Transport and hunting
The CBSA says all firearms, including antiques, must be transported unloaded, out of sight in a locked part of the vehicle (the trunk, if there is one) unless supervised by an adult; restricted and prohibited firearms must be in a locked case with locked safety devices. Firearms are forbidden in many national and provincial parks, game reserves and adjacent areas, and hunters need a licence from each province or territory where they hunt.[1] The CBSA notes that foreign countries including the US have different legal requirements for purchase, possession and transport and advises contacting the appropriate authorities.[1]
Residents of Canada
The CBSA has separate tables for Canadian residents; non-restricted firearms need a Possession and Acquisition Licence, restricted firearms need a PAL with restricted privileges, an ATT and a registration certificate, with an import permit from Global Affairs Canada for a newly acquired restricted handgun; newly acquired prohibited firearms cannot be imported.[1]
Leaving Canada for the US
The CBSA says moving non-restricted or restricted firearms from Canada to the US does not require stopping at a CBSA office, but the US requires an import permit (the CBSA points to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for it); US requirements are set by US authorities and this guide does not cover them; prohibited firearms leaving for the US must be reported to a CBSA office with a PAL, registration certificate, paper ATT and a GAC export permit.[1]
United States notes we sourced
CBP's prohibited and restricted items page addresses US citizens and permanent residents temporarily exporting a firearm: it says export control rules apply, a BIS license is generally required or the BAG license exception may be used, and the traveler must present the firearms and ammunition to CBP before departure and complete CBP Form 4457, which must be presented again on return. It lists ATF, ICE and TSA resources.[2] We did not read a CBP or ATF page setting out rules for non-US visitors bringing firearms into the US, so this guide does not state any. CBP also warns that it is illegal to carry firearms or ammunition into Mexico.[3]
Other weapons
The CBSA checklist says most weapons are prohibited from entering Canada, including tasers, pepper spray and certain knives, and that you must declare all firearms and weapons.[4] This area is highly technical and carries criminal exposure. This guide only reports the CBSA page; contact the Canadian Firearms Program (1-800-731-4000) or a lawyer before travelling with a firearm. Border services officers decide whether a firearm is admitted, held, exported or seized.[1]
About this guide
Officers decide at the border; this is general information, not official guidance. travel.tnaado.ca is not affiliated with CBP, CBSA, DHS or the Government of Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring a handgun into Canada for self-defence?
The CBSA says personal protection is not a valid purpose to import a firearm into Canada.[1]
How long is the visitor declaration valid?
Up to 60 days, per the CBSA.[1]
What if I arrive with a restricted firearm and no ATT?
The CBSA may hold the firearm for 14 days while you apply.[1]
Do I need to stop at CBSA when leaving Canada for the US with a legal firearm?
Not for non-restricted or restricted firearms, but the CBSA says the US requires an import permit; US requirements are set by US authorities and are not covered here.[1]
Can I bring tasers or pepper spray?
The CBSA says most weapons are prohibited, including tasers and pepper spray.[4]
Are antique firearms exempt from storage rules?
The CBSA says all firearms, including antique firearms, must be transported unloaded; antique handguns do not need a locking device.[1]
Sources
- CBSA, Firearms and weapons: Canadian border requirements (page dated 2025-07-24). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/iefw-iefa-eng.html. Read 2026-10-20.
- CBP, Prohibited and Restricted Items. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/know-before-you-go/prohibited-and-restricted-items. Read 2026-10-20.
- CBP, Canada and Mexico Travel (page modified 2026-01-26). https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/canada-mexico-travel. Read 2026-10-20.
- CBSA, Border reminder checklist (page dated 2026-03-11). https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/checklist-aidememoire-eng.html. Read 2026-10-20.