Import and Export Controls

Nuclear and Nuclear-Related Dual-Use Items

The CNSC implements a licensing and compliance process to ensure nuclear imports and exports conform to Canada’s nuclear non-proliferation policy, international obligations and commitments, and regulatory requirements, under which controlled nuclear substances, material, equipment and technology transferred between Canada and other countries are to be used in only peaceful, non-explosive applications.

Under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations, Canadian importers and exporters must obtain and comply with licences controlling the international transfer of nuclear and nuclear-related items.

Import

Application for a Licence to Import Nuclear Items (PDF)

Export

Application for a Licence to Export Nuclear and Nuclear-Related Dual-Use Items (PDF)

Risk-Significant Radioactive Sources

To export risk-significant radioactive sources (IAEA Category 1 and 2 described in Table I below), Canadian exporters must obtain a transaction specific export licence. The issuance of the licence is consistent with the provisions of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources (the Code) and its supplementary Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources (the Guidance) for import and export controls for risk-significant radioactive sources. Licence applications to export Category 1 radioactive sources from Canada are subject to prior consent by the Importing State Authority.

The CNSC import and export controls for risk-significant radioactive sources assist in providing assurances to Canadians and the international community that international transfers of such sources are consistent with provisions of the IAEA Code and Guidance and that their use is solely for beneficial and peaceful purposes. Control of the Export and Import of Risk‑Significant Radioactive Sources (INFO-0791), provides additional information on the CNSC’s regulatory control program for the export and import of risk-significant radioactive sources.

Table I: Threshold Activities for Category 1 and Category 2 Radioactive Sources
Nuclear Substance	Category 1(TBq)	Category 2(TBq)
Americium 241	60	0.6
Americium 241/Beryllium	60	0.6
Californium 252	20	0.2
Curium 244	50	0.5
Cobalt 60	30	0.3
Cesium 137	100	1.0
Gadolinium 153	1 000	10.0
Iridium 192	80	0.8
Promethium 147	40 000	400.0
Plutonium 238	60	0.6
Plutonium 239/Beryllium	60	0.6
Radium 226	40	0.4
Selenium 75	200	2.0
Strontium 90 (Yttrium 90)	1 000	10.0
Thulium 170	20 000	200.0
Ytterbium 169	300	3.0

Import Controls

A separate licence to import risk-significant radioactive sources is not required provided that the Canadian licensee is authorized to import and possess such sources under their general possession and use licence. Importation of risk-significant radioactive sources may not occur without this general authorization.

All imports of Category 1 radioactive sources into Canada are subject to CNSC prior import consent. In addition, all imports of Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources require Prior Shipment Notifications to be issued by the Exporting Facility or the Exporting State Authority.

Please note:

Links to Web sites not under the control of CNSC are provided solely for the convenience of users. CNSC is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or the reliability of the content of those sites. CNSC offers no guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites or their content.

Users should be aware that information offered by non-Government of Canada sites, to which the Official Languages Act and certain other requirements may not apply, may be available only in the language(s) used by the sites in question.

Need more information?

Questions may be directed to:
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
280 Slater Street
P.O. Box 1046, Station B
Ottawa, ON K1P 5S9
Fax: 613-995-5086
Email: export.import@cnsc-ccsn.gc.ca