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Self-defense

Firearm transit permit (guia de trânsito)

The PF guia de trânsito lets you move a registered, unloaded firearm on a set route and date. It is free; apply 10 days ahead.

Required documents

  • Sinarm electronic transit permit application, completed and signed
  • Official photo ID and CPF (Brazilian taxpayer number)
  • Valid CRAF for the firearm (the application includes the firearm's details)
  • Reason, transit date and origin and destination addresses, entered on the form
  • Change of address: proof of the new address
  • Training: document proving the shooting range is in good standing
  • Other situations (such as a gunsmith or return of a firearm): document justifying the transport

Step by step

  1. Confirm that you need the permit

    The CRAF (firearm registration certificate) only allows you to keep the firearm at home or at your workplace. For any trip with the firearm, anyone without a carry permit needs the guia de trânsito. The exception is newly bought ammunition taken from the store to the storage location, with a dated invoice, ID and valid CRAF.

  2. Set the route, date and reason

    The permit is valid only for the authorized route, period and purpose. Have the full origin and destination addresses, the travel date and the document justifying the transport at hand.

  3. Apply at least 10 days in advance

    Go to the Obter Guia de Trânsito para o Transporte de Arma de Fogo service on gov.br with a silver or gold account and fill in the Sinarm form with your personal details, the firearm, reason, date and addresses. IN 201/2021 requires at least 10 days' notice.

  4. Attach the documents

    Upload them at the end of the application or under Consultar Andamento de Processos (track case progress). The permit is processed based on the electronic documents, but the office may ask for originals if in doubt.

  5. Track and print the permit

    Track it with the application number and your CPF. Once approved, print the permit on the same page. For training, the PF (Polícia Federal, Federal Police) grants at most one permit every 30 days per applicant, covering all firearms listed in the application.

  6. Transport it the right way

    Carry the firearm unloaded, separate from the ammunition and packed so it cannot be used readily, only on the authorized route, with the CRAF and the permit. The permit does not authorize carry. If you move permanently, also update the address on the registration.

    Where to file the request: Get a transit permit on gov.br

Understand the service

The guia de trânsito (transit permit) is the document issued by the Polícia Federal (Federal Police, PF) that allows someone with a registered firearm, but without a carry permit, to transport the firearm on a set route, on a set date and for a set purpose, such as a change of address, repair at a gunsmith or training at a range. It is free, requested through Sinarm (Sistema Nacional de Armas, the national firearms system) at least 10 days in advance, and does not authorize carry: the firearm travels unloaded and packed, with no possibility of immediate use.

What the transit permit is

The registration (CRAF, Certificado de Registro de Arma de Fogo, the firearm registration certificate) only allows you to keep the firearm at home or at your workplace, if you are the legal person responsible (art. 5º of Lei 10.826/2003). Any trip with the firearm requires authorization. Art. 21 of Decreto 11.615/2023 tells the owner to request a permit for a change of address or any other situation involving transport, and says it authorizes only transport, unloaded, on the stated route.

Transporting a firearm without a permit, off the route or without a carry permit may amount to the crime of illegal carry (art. 14 of the law).

Who needs it

Owners of firearms registered in Sinarm Defesa Pessoal (personal defense) with a valid CRAF, in these situations (art. 31 of IN 201/2021):

  • change of address;
  • maintenance of the firearm at an accredited gunsmith;
  • return of a seized firearm;
  • training at a shooting range;
  • another situation involving transport, with a document justifying it.

When you do not need it

  • New firearm bought at a store: the permit is issued together with the CRAF in the registration process.
  • Authorized transfer: the permit is issued together with the new CRAF.
  • Newly bought ammunition: can be taken from the store to the storage location without a permit, with a dated invoice, ID and valid CRAF.
  • CACs (collectors, sport shooters and hunters): use the guia de tráfego (traffic permit), issued in Sinarm CAC. Since 1 July 2025 this service has been provided by the PF at all its units (Portaria DG/PF nº 19.040/2025).

How to transport the firearm

  • Unloaded, with the ammunition in a separate container.
  • Packed so it cannot be used readily, for example in a closed case.
  • Only on the route and within the period of the permit, with no detours.
  • With documents: valid CRAF, transit permit and ID.

Permit for training

The training permit requires the range's good standing document and is limited to one every 30 days per applicant. All firearms to be used must be listed in the same application.

Air travel

Anyone who is not a public agent with carry by reason of office does not board armed. The firearm must be checked, unloaded, with the Guia de Despacho de Arma de Fogo (firearm check-in form) filled in on the PF system (stating the transit permit or carry permit number), validated by the PF at the airport and handed over at the airline check-in, under Resolução ANAC 461/2018. The service is free.

Common mistakes that delay the application

  • Applying at the last minute: the minimum is 10 days, and review can take up to 30.
  • Expired CRAF: the permit is only issued for a valid registration.
  • Incomplete origin or destination address.
  • Thinking the permit allows carrying the firearm loaded or using it on the way.
  • Moving and not updating the registration afterwards.

After the move

If the transport was for a permanent move, update the address on the firearm registration (the decree requires reporting changes to your details within 15 days) by requesting a duplicate CRAF with the new details.

What changed recently

  • 21/07/2023: Decreto 11.615/2023 reaffirmed that the permit authorizes only transport, unloaded, on the authorized route (art. 21).
  • 01/07/2025: the PF began issuing the CACs' guia de tráfego at all its units, previously issued by the Exército (Brazilian Army) (Portaria DG/PF nº 19.040/2025). The personal defense transit permit remains in Sinarm Defesa Pessoal.
  • 2026: the official service page was updated on 24/07/2026 and keeps the service free, the minimum notice of 10 days and an estimated processing time of up to 30 calendar days.

Notice

This guide is for information only and does not replace the official rules or advice from a professional. Rules change: before any application, check the current version of Lei 10.826/2003 (Estatuto do Desarmamento, the Disarmament Statute), Decreto 11.615/2023 (with the changes from Decreto 12.345/2024), Instrução Normativa 201/2021-DG/PF and the official service pages on gov.br and on the Polícia Federal website.

Sources

Regulations and official pages used in this guide. Always check the version in force.

Frequently asked questions

Direct answers to the most common questions about this service.

What is a firearm transit permit (guia de trânsito)?

It is the Polícia Federal (Federal Police) document that allows someone with a registered firearm, but without a carry permit, to transport it on a set route and date. The firearm travels unloaded and packed, and the permit does not authorize carry.

Is there a fee for the transit permit?

No. The official service page states that the transit permit is free for citizens.

How far in advance should I apply for the transit permit?

At least 10 days before the transport, under PF IN 201/2021. Since review can take up to 30 calendar days, apply with more time to spare whenever you can.

Do I need a transit permit to take my firearm to the shooting club?

Yes, if you have no carry permit and are not a CAC (collector, sport shooter or hunter). The training permit requires proof that the range is in good standing and is limited to one every 30 days per person.

Do I need a permit to take the firearm home from the store?

Yes, but it is issued together with the CRAF (firearm registration certificate) in the new firearm's registration process, with no separate application. The store only hands over the firearm with both documents.

How do I take a firearm on a plane trip?

Private individuals do not board armed: the firearm must be checked, unloaded, with the Guia de Despacho de Arma de Fogo (firearm check-in form) filled in on the PF system and validated at the airport. For this, you need a transit permit or a carry permit.

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