Ammunition sellers are individual firearms licence holders, who sell ammunition to other firearms licence holders.

What is an ammunition seller

Ammunition sellers are responsible for the day-to-day management of a business that sells or supplies ammunition.  

This does not include:  

  • Licensed dealers  
  • Members of shooting clubs, if the member sells ammunition:
    • to a club member, or on club premises, with the approval of the management committee of the club or a majority vote of club members; and
    • the sales revenue is used for the benefit of the club.

Ammunition sellers must:

  • Hold an A-CAT firearms licence
  • Not sell any items other than ammunition  
  • Meet secure storage and record keeping obligations
  • Only sell ammunition to other firearms licence holders.  

Always use the Firearms Licence Checker to validate a purchaser or receiver’s firearms licence. 

Become an ammunition seller 

To become an ammunition seller, you must hold an A-CAT firearms licence.  

You must notify Police of your intention to become an ammunition seller. There is no associated fee to do this.

If you are a licensed dealer, you do not need to apply to be an ammunition seller.

Notification of being an ammunition seller

If satisfied, Police will contact you acknowledging your intention to sell ammunition. 

Obligations as an ammunition seller

Secure storage obligations

An ammunition seller must store ammunition in accordance with Regulation 9H of the Arms Regulations 1992.

Ammunition not on display on the seller’s premises must be stored:

  • in an area not accessible to the public; and
  • in a locked steel box, steel cabinet, or steel safe, that is secured to the building, or in a steel and concrete strongroom or stout storeroom. 

Ammunition on display on the seller’s premises must be stored:

  • in an area that is accessible to the public, the ammunition must be stored in a locked cabinet, locked container, or locked display case that must be soundly constructed and fixed to the building to prevent its removal,
  • in a locked display case outside opening times, the premises must be secured against public access. 

Record keeping obligations

As per s 22E of the Arms Act 1983 

Ammunition sellers must keep at their place of business a record book detailing all ammunition sold or supplied through the business.  

Details required to be recorded include:

  • purchaser or receiver's name 
  • purchaser or receiver's firearms licence number  
  • quantity and type of ammunition sold or supplied. 

If ammunition is sold or supplied to a person without a firearms licence, the person must be under the immediate supervision of another firearms licence holder. The valid licence holder’s detail will be recorded.

Ammunition sales to be recorded in the Dealer Transactions form

On and from 24 June 2025, the sale of ammunition is required to be recorded in the Registry using the Dealer Transactions form. On and from this date, ammunition sellers are no longer required to record ammunition sales in a record book. Received or manufactured ammunition must still be recorded in a record book.

How to use the Dealer Transactions form

Step 1: Provide dealer details

You’ll need to provide the following details from your ammunition seller licence in the dealer details section. Whilst the form asks for dealer details, your ammunition seller details will work fine.

  • First and last name
  • Firearms licence number
  • Version number

Note: If you cannot validate the firearms licence details, call us for help on 0800 844 431. We're available 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.  

Step 2: Provide customer details

You’ll need to provide the following details for the customer:

  • First and last name
  • Firearms licence number
  • Version number (if applicable)

Note: The form will check the customer’s details when you enter the information. If they cannot be validated, you won’t be able to move to the next section of the form. You must not continue with the transaction. Call Te Tari Pūreke for help on 0800 844 431. We're available 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.  

Step 3: Provide details about the transaction

You’ll need to provide the following details about the transaction:

  • Date of transaction
  • Calibre/gauge  
  • Number of rounds (total quantity of ammunition sold, not the number of boxes)

You also have the option to include a reference number. This is so you can link the transaction back to a staff member or other system reference.

Step 4: Check the summary and submit the form

Review the summary, which shows all the information you have entered. If anything is missing or incorrect, you can return to the previous pages and make changes.

Before submitting the form, you must confirm that the information you have provided is true and correct, and that you understand the information is provided as part of the licensed dealer record keeping obligations under section 12 of the Arms Act 1983 and the Arms Regulations 1992.  

Step 5: Note the online reference number

The final screen will show that the transaction is complete and provide you with a reference number for the transaction, the submission date and time.  

Take note of this reference number should you want to discuss this record with us in the future. You must call us if you want to request your transaction information.  

From this page, you can be taken back to Step 2 to submit another transaction under the same licence.

Restricted ammunition

To sell restricted ammunition you must have the relevant endorsement on your licence.  

The person you are selling the restricted ammunition to must also have the relevant endorsement on their licence.  

Learn more about endorsements 

Employees of ammunition sellers

If an employee does not have a firearms licence, they are still able to perform their duties under the supervision of a firearms licence holder. 

 

Need help?
phone Phone 0800 844 431 (04 499 2870)
8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday