Importing firearms into New Zealand

When you arrive in New Zealand you must:

1. Declare all firearms to New Zealand Customs Officials
2. Declare all firearms to the New Zealand Police
3. Apply for a Visitors Firearms Licence (T licence) which is valid for one year
4. Apply to the Airport Police at the International Airport for a Permit to Import

Permit to Import

You need approval to bring firearms into New Zealand.

Provided your firearms are of the type approved for import into New Zealand, you will receive your Permit for Import immediately on your arrival.

Please check if your firearms are of the approved type before you arrive in New Zealand. The list of approved firearms is available here or by supplying details of the make and model of the firearms to:

The Manager
Licensing and Vetting Service Centre
Police National Headquarters
PO Box 3017
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND

Phone: +64 44749539
Fax +64 44991065

Email the firearms team

If the type of firearm you wish to import into New Zealand is not currently approved it will be sent to the New Zealand Police Armoury, who will either approve or decline your application. If your application is declined, Police will retain your firearms until you leave New Zealand.

Restricted Firearms

The importation of pistols, military style assault rifles known in New Zealand as MSSAs (military style semi-automatics) and automatic firearms is strictly controlled by the New Zealand Police. You are advised not to arrive in New Zealand with any restricted firearms other than with a permit to import.

Other Restricted Weapons

Which weapons are you prohibited to import into New Zealand? :

• Knuckle-dusters (including knives with knuckle dusters incorporated)
• Swordsticks
• Any weapon disguised to have the appearance of something else
• Any knife where the blade opens automatically by button, spring, or other device (e.g. ‘flick knife’).
• Any knife where the blade is released by force of gravity or force to the central point, and which is then locked in place by a button, spring, lever or other device
• Any knife (excluding folding pocket knife with blade less than 10cm) that is designed for easy concealment on the body, or has a double-edged blade designed for stabbing/throwing, or any knife known as ‘urban skinner, terminator, black eagle, black dagger, throwing knife’.
• Bayonets

The above weapons are prohibited to import into New Zealand, except with the consent of New Zealand Police. Application to import these weapons should be made at the nearest Arms Office. The permit, if approved, will be issued by the Manager, Licensing & Vetting Service Centre.

Visitors Licence

To obtain a Visitors Firearms Licence you must pay $25 and show Police:

1. Your passport
2. Evidence you have a firearms licence (or equivalent) in your own country.

New Immigrants

You should leave all firearms in your country of origin until you have gained permanent residency.

When you can prove you have obtained permanent residency, you are allowed to apply for a Firearms Licence and a Permit to Import.