Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Instructions for Completing an Application for a Licence to Export Risk-Significant Radioactive Sources
The following instructions are intended to provide guidance to ensure that appropriate information is submitted with an application to export risk-significant radioactive sources:
Information on where to submit the application and how to reach the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) for additional help or to find out about the status of the application is included at the bottom of the application form.
Below is a list of the nuclear substances provided by the IAEA Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources for which an application to export Category 1 and 2 radioactive sources is required.
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 |
Important Notes
a. Complete the application, sign, print and mail or fax to the CNSC address at the bottom of the application form. An advance email copy may be submitted, however, a signed original must be provided.
b. All mandatory information must be provided. Additional information may be submitted on a separate sheet. Incomplete applications may result in delays. Additional information or documents may be requested.
c. The period to review an application is typically within three (3) weeks upon receipt of a completed application.
d. Upon approval of the application, a licence to export risk‑significant radioactive sources will be issued and sent by fax and mailed to the applicant.
1. Overview of the Application Form
Part 1A: Type of Application
Indicate if this is an application for a new licence or for an amendment to an existing Export Licence. If an amendment to an existing Export Licence, provide the licence number.
Part 1B: Applicant/Exporter
Provide the legal name of the applicant.
Provide a Unique Identifier, if applicable. Applicants may input their own reference number for their tracking purposes; otherwise, it can be left blank.
Provide the name and contact information of a person that the CNSC can contact about the application.
Provide the number of the applicant’s applicable CNSC possession or facility licence. This information is used by the CNSC in verifying that the applicant is authorized to possess the risk‑significant radioactive source for which an export licence is sought.
Part 2A: Final Consignee(s)/Importer (final consignee is the one who takes possession for usage of the source)
Provide the authorization number and expiry date of the importer’s authorization to receive and possess a risk-significant radioactive source. Include a copy of the authorization documentation.
If an import authorization number is unavailable, provide any additional comments or information on the final consignee or the commercial export/import arrangements that may assist the CNSC in assessing whether the source will be managed in a safe and secure manner by the final recipient of the source.
There may be multiple final consignees. Use a separate sheet and include all the information required in Part 2A.
Part 2B: Intermediate Consignee(s) via Importer
Provide the requested information for any foreign Intermediate Consignee who will be in possession of the source prior to its delivery to the final consignee.
Part 3: Intended Date(s) of Export
Provide the date on which the export is intended to take place. If the export transaction requires multiple shipments, provide the intended date of each shipment. Where specific shipment dates are uncertain, provide anticipated initial and final dates of the shipments.
Part 4: Description of Radioactive Source(s)
Provide the name of the nuclear substance.
Provide the Maximum Activity per Source (TBq), the Number of Sources to be exported, and the Total Activity (TBq) of the nuclear substance to be exported.
Provide the name of any prescribed equipment that will be used with the radioactive source for the intended end use.
Describe the intended end use for each radioactive source to be exported.
Part 5: Transport Information
Fill in the appropriate box to indicate what type of package is being used to transport the radioactive source.
Provide the package’s Design Approval Certificate Number and the date that the package design was approved by the CNSC.
If the prescribed equipment is a Type B(U) package, such as an industrial radiography camera, indicate the serial number of the package.
If using a Type A package, no additional information is required.
Fill in the appropriate box to indicate whether the shipment will require transport through countries other than the importing country. If yes, list the transit countries.
Part 6: Additional Information on Consignee(s), End Use(s) and
Radioactive Source(s)
Provide any additional information on the export transaction pertinent to supporting the application, or any other details that may facilitate interactions between the CNSC and the importing authority or facility in support of completing the assessment of the application. Indicate if it is anticipated that radioactive sources being replaced by the sources being exported will be returned to Canada as part of the commercial arrangements being made.
Part 7: Applicant Authority
Provide the signature, title, telephone and fax numbers of an individual who has the authority to sign the application on behalf of the Applicant in order to certify the authenticity of the information in the application form and appended documents. Include the year, month, and day that the application form was signed.
2. Application Form
Download the Application for a Licence to Export Risk‑Significant Radioactive Sources (PDF).
3. Supplemental Information
Export Licence Constraints
Unless otherwise authorized by the CNSC:
- A separate application is required for each export transaction or specific set of transactions that are anticipated to occur within a specific period of time.
- Each export licence issued will pertain to one or more importers, but only in a single country.
- Separate export licences will be issued for Category 1 and Category 2 radioactive sources.
Each transaction may involve multiple shipments carried out over a specified period of time.
Need more information? Questions relating to this program 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
