Notice to Exporters
Requirements for exporting prohibited firearms
Export and Import Permits Act
Serial No. 999
Date: May 1st 2020
Table of Contents
Purpose
1. The purpose of this Notice is to advise exporters of export controls implications flowing from the announcement by the Prime Minister that a number of firearms are now considered “prohibited firearms” as defined in subsection 84(1) of the Criminal Code. As per the Prime Minister’s announcement, all firearms that have been prohibited effective May 1st under the Regulations Amending the Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons, Components and Parts of Weapons, Accessories, Cartridge Magazines, Ammunition and Projectiles as Prohibited, Restricted or Non-Restricted:
- are captured under section 4.1 of the EIPA and are eligible for export only to those destinations listed on the Automatic Firearms Country Control List (AFCCL), and;
- require an individual export permit. This also applies to the export of parts related to these firearms.
General Information
2. Items controlled under the AFCCL are enumerated in section 4.1 of the Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA). These items include, but are not limited to, cartridge magazines that are prohibited devices, full-automatic firearms or firearms that have been prescribed to be prohibited firearms, and any components or parts of such firearms that are specially designed for them.
3. The Minister of Foreign Affairs maintains the authority to exercise discretion on a case‑by‑case basis over permit applications, which are approved only when the Minister is satisfied that such exports would be consistent with his legal obligations as well as Canada's foreign, defence and security policies.
4. Prohibited firearms and their specially designed components or parts, including the firearms newly prohibited, may only be exported to countries listed on the AFCCL. These countries are as follows:
- Albania
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Chile
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Korea, Republic of
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
The export of prohibited firearms to non-Automatic Firearms Country Control List destinations is not permitted, regardless of whether the exporter possesses an export permit issued prior the reclassification of that firearm.
5. The Export and Brokering Controls Handbook explains the requirements of the export process, and also lists controls administered by other government departments. Concerning firearms, sections D.2. Automatic firearms country control list and J. Applications to export firearms, related goods, and ammunition of the Handbook are of particular interest.
6. Exporters must prepare and submit the appropriate export permit application(s) for controlled goods, including prohibited firearms, their components or parts, and any accessories, that are proposed for export. For a step-by-step description of how to apply for an Export Permit for Firearms, Related Goods and Ammunition, please consult this website.
7. Please note that we are currently facing permit processing delays. Exporters are advised to submit their applications four to five months in advance of the time they wish to export.
8. This Notice has been prepared for guidance and convenience of reference only. Global Affairs Canada does not provide legal advice on the foregoing. For all purposes of interpreting and applying the law, readers should consult the Export and Import Permits Act and its associated regulations. These publications are available online.
9. For further information, exporters may contact us by using the coordinates below. Exporters are invited to note the creation of a new, dedicated email address for queries related to newly prohibited firearms.
Export Controls Operations Division (TIE)
Trade and Export Controls Bureau
Global Affairs Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2
Telephone: 343-203-4331
Facsimile: 613-996-9933
Email: TIE-Firearms.Armes-a-feu@international.gc.ca
Internet: Export and Import Controls
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