https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/explosives/acquisition-storage-and-sale/propellants-and-ammunition/9827
Propellants and Ammunition
To acquire, store or sell propellants and ammunition, you need a dwelling, storage unit or explosives licence, depending on the quantity and type of explosives being handled. Anyone handling explosives must be at least 18 years of age or older unless otherwise exempted by the Explosives Act and Regulations.
Black powder, smokeless powder and small arms cartridges
The table below shows the regulations for storing and selling three categories of propellants and ammunitions: black powder, smokeless powder and small arms cartridges. The requirements are the same whether using or selling, and Part 14 of the Regulations applies to all three categories.
| Explosive Type | Regulations for use and sale | |
|---|---|---|
| Black powder (Type P.1) | Quantity | Requirement |
| 1 kg or less; or 3 kg or less (contained in cartridges) | Dwelling attached to other dwelling | |
| 10 kg or less | Detached dwelling or storage unit attached to detached dwelling | |
| 75 kg or less | Storage unit | |
| More than 75 kg | Explosives licence | |
| Smokeless powder (Type P.2) |
5 kg or less (> 1 kg containers) |
Dwelling attached to other dwelling |
| 20 kg or less (<= 1 kg containers) |
Dwelling attached to other dwelling | |
| 25 kg or less (inclusive of all propellant powders) |
Detached dwelling or storage unit attached to detached dwelling | |
| 75 kg or less | Storage unit | |
| More than 75 kg | Explosives licence | |
| Small arms cartridges (Type C.1) | 225 kg NEQ or less | Dwelling or storage unit |
| More than 225 kg NEQ | Explosives licence | |
Power device cartridges and percussion caps
The table below shows the regulations for storing and selling power devices and percussion caps. For these types of explosives, using and selling have different requirements. (See Part 14 of the regulations for percussion caps, Part 12 for power device cartridges.)
| Explosive Type | Regulations for use | Regulations for sale | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power device cartridges (Type C.2) | Quantity | Requirement | Quantity | Requirement |
| 50,000 units or less | Dwelling or storage unit | 50,000 units or less | Dwelling | |
| More than 50,000 units | Explosives licence | 150,000 units or less | Storage unit | |
| More than 150,000 units | Explosives licence | |||
| Percussion caps (Type C.3) |
Any quantity | Dwelling or storage unit | Any quantity | Dwelling or storage unit |
Black powder
Read about the regulations that pertain to the acquisition, storage and sale of black powder, an extremely flammable substance that can detonate under certain conditions.
Smokeless powder
Read about the regulations that pertain to the acquisition, storage and sale of smokeless powder, an extremely flammable substance that can detonate.
Percussion caps
Read about the regulations that pertain to the acquisition, storage and sale of percussion caps—small metal casings at the base of small-arms cartridges that are filled with impact-sensitive explosives.
Ammunition
Read about the regulations that pertain to the acquisition, storage and sale of small-arms cartridges, also known as ammunition.
Power device cartridges
Read about the regulations that pertain to the acquisition, storage and sale of power device cartridges, used in explosive powered tools such as powder-actuated nail guns.
