Body Armour → Canada

Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import

Details

Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import. Enforcement in Canada carries fines from CAD 1,000 to CAD 500,000 and imprisonment up to 5 years in aggravated cases under Customs Act s.159, s.160; Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Because body armour is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving Canada with body armour is a separate question: restricted — Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Canada above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Leaving with this item

Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from Canada above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Practical advice

Do not carry civilian body armour, ballistic vests, or stab vests into Canada. CBSA requires an end-user permit issued only to law-enforcement / military / accredited security professionals; tourist carriage is treated as a weapons-import offence.

Customs authority

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) · https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca