Apply for a permit to import

Check before you apply

Check what specific items need a permit to import, and who can apply.

Items that require a permit or consent to import

What is a permit to import

You need a permit to import firearms, pistols, blank-firing guns, restricted airguns, restricted weapons, parts, prohibited arms items, pistol carbine conversion kits, air pistol carbine conversion kits and ammunition. You do not need a permit to import if you have a visitor’s firearms licence.

How much it costs

There is no fee for a permit to import.

When to apply

You must apply for a permit before your items arrive in New Zealand, otherwise the items may be seized or detained by New Zealand Customs or New Zealand Police. Applications may take around 5-6 weeks to process.

How long does a permit to import last

Permits expire 12 months after the date on which that permit was issued.

If you're importing more items on the same permit, be aware your permit to import only remains valid for 30 days from the time that your first arms item enters New Zealand. If you have not used the permit within that 12-month period, you will need to apply for a new one. Permits do not get renewed.

Your permit to import may be revoked at any time by a commissioned officer of Police. If your permit is revoked, you will be notified in writing and you will no longer be able to use it.

Information you must provide

In your application, you must provide:

your details, including identification information such as your firearms licence number
details about what you want to import, including weblinks to the place of purchase
the reason why you should be allowed to import them into New Zealand.

If you import more than one item

You may need to apply for more than one permit if you are importing multiple items – it depends on when they enter New Zealand.

One permit covers items that will enter New Zealand either:

at the same time, in a single consignment, or
in more than one consignment, but within a 30-day period between the arrival of the first and last consignments.

If you import using an agent

An agent is someone who can help you import items into New Zealand – including dealers. The agent and the importer must have a firearms licence and the relevant endorsements for the items listed on the application.

Either the importer or the agent can submit the application. The importer will receive all emails and is responsible for meeting the permit conditions.

Most agents have a dealer’s licence. They’ll need to record the imported items in their dealer book before giving them to the importer.

Items that require a special reason

In certain cases, New Zealand law requires an applicant to demonstrate a special reason for importing a firearm. A special reason must relate to the specific circumstances of the case and set it apart from typical applications of the same kind.

Each application is assessed on its own merits, and the onus is on the applicant to provide enough information to help determine whether the reason provided is truly special in that context.

How to apply

Step 1: Complete the form

You can either:

save the PDF to your computer (to edit, you must have a PDF reader installed: Download and install Adobe Reader free)
print the PDF and complete it by hand.

Step 2: Submit your application

By email: permitfirearms@police.govt.nz
By post: Permit Team, Te Tari Pūreke, PO Box 722, Paraparaumu, Kapiti 5032
In person to a Police station: Find Police stations | New Zealand Police website

Once you’ve submitted your application, we'll get back to you via email. Check your junk or spam folder in case responses have gone there.

After you apply

Your application will be approved or refused

If your application is approved, your permit will be sent to you.

If your application is refused, you’ll be notified in writing, including the reasons your application was refused.

If you’re not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to appeal to the District Court.

You must appeal within 20 working days of the refusal decision (unless the court gives special leave to extend that time).

You must notify us after you import your items

You must:

notify us within 30 days of the first item being imported into New Zealand
add identification number (serial number) - if needed
record your items in the Firearms Registry - if you are an individual licence holder.

For more information, visit these website pages:

After you import items into New Zealand

Get help registering a firearm

Firearms Registry

If you do not have a permit before the items arrive in New Zealand

It’s an offence to import items without an approved permit or consent to import. If you do not have a permit to import, New Zealand Customs or New Zealand Police can detain or seize it on arrival.

If your item is detained, contact permitfirearms@police.govt.nz

If your item is seized, contact New Zealand Customs

Firearms Safety Authority website will be unavailable tonight