What a permit to possess or import allows
To make your endorsement apply to every pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited firearm, and prohibited magazine, you must have either a:
- permit to possess, if you plan to get the arms item in New Zealand, or
- permit to import, if you plan to get the arms item overseas
About permits to possess, see the Arms Act 1983:
- section 35, Issue of permit to possess pistol or restricted weapon
- section 35A, Issue of permit to possess prohibited firearm or prohibited magazine
- section 35AAA, Issue of permit to possess pistol carbine conversion kit
About permits to import, see the Arms Act 1983, section 18, Issue of permit to import firearms, etc
Permits to possess
You must have a permit to possess a:
- pistol
- restricted weapon
- prohibited firearm
- prohibited magazine
- pistol carbine conversion kit (PCCK)
Permits to import
You must have a permit to import a:
- pistol
- restricted weapon
- blank firing gun
- restricted airgun
- non-prohibited firearm
- non-prohibited magazine
- non-prohibited ammunition
You must have a permit to import any part of a:
- pistol
- blank firing gun
- restricted weapon
- firearm
You must have a permit to import a prohibited item:
- prohibited firearm
- prohibited magazine
- prohibited part
You must have a permit to import a:
- pistol carbine conversion kit (PCCK)
- air pistol carbine conversion kit
Consignment conditions
Apply for one permit to import arms items that are to enter New Zealand either:
- at the same time, in a single consignment, or
- in more than one consignment, in 30 days or less
The permit to import ends for further arms items 30 days after the first item enters New Zealand.
See the Arms Act 1983, section 18AAD, Permit to import issued for items to be brought or sent into New Zealand in single consignment or multiple consignments
Who can apply for a permit to possess or import
Who can apply for a permit to possess
To apply for a permit to possess an endorsed arms item, you must have a New Zealand firearms licence with the right endorsement for:
- pistols
- restricted weapons
- prohibited firearms
- prohibited magazines
- part for these arms items
- pistol carbine conversion kits
Who can apply for a permit to import
To apply for a permit to import an arms item, you must be able to lawfully possess the item when it arrives in New Zealand.
You must have a New Zealand firearms licence before you apply for a permit to import a:
- standard firearm*
- part for a standard firearm*
- non-prohibited ammunition
*Apart from blank-firing guns, which do not require a firearms licence.
To apply for a permit to import prohibited ammunition, you must:
- have a New Zealand firearms licence or dealer licence
- be allowed by regulations to possess prohibited ammunition
See the Arms Regulations 1992, clause 28Y, Certain persons may possess prohibited ammunition
What you must tell us when you apply for a permit to possess or import
Permit to import
In your application for a permit to import, you must show there is a special reason Te Tari Pūreke should allow into New Zealand:
- pistols
- restricted weapons
- prohibited firearms
- prohibited magazines
- parts for these arms items
- pistol carbine conversion kits
- prohibited ammunition
Permit to possess, and permit to import, a pistol carbine conversion kit
When Te Tari Pūreke considers your application for a permit to possess or permit to import a pistol carbine conversion kit for pistol target shooting, we must be satisfied that the PCCK enables firing from the shoulder of a pistol that:
- has an overall length of no more than 400 millimetres
- can fire specified ammunition* at a muzzle velocity of 1,600 feet a second or less
We must be satisfied:
- you have the right pistol for the pistol carbine conversion kit
- the pistol carbine conversion kit does not modify the pistol in any other way
* Ammunition used on pistol shooting ranges the Commissioner has approved.
To apply for a permit to import a pistol carbine conversion kit, you must show there is a special reason the PCCK should be allowed into New Zealand, like a collection or pistol target shooting.
Permit to import an air pistol carbine conversion kit
To apply for a permit to import an air pistol carbine conversion kit, you must:
- plan to use the kit personally for airsoft or paintball
- be a member of an airsoft or paintball club affiliated with a national airsoft or paintball organisation
What to include in your permit to possess or import application
Fee
There is no fee for an application for a permit to possess or a permit to import.
How to apply
Apply for a permit to possess or import with a downloaded PDF form.To complete a downloaded PDF form, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your laptop, tablet, or mobile.
If you do not have Acrobat Reader, download and install it from the Adobe website
1.Complete the form
- Open the application form and save it on your laptop, tablet, or mobile, before you start to enter answers on it.
- Enter your answers on the form with care. An incomplete form takes Te Tari Pūreke longer to reply to.
- Save your work as you go, and when you’ve completed the form.
2. Submit your completed form
- By email: PermitFirearms@police.govt.nz
- By post: Arms Act Service Delivery Group, PO Box 722, Paraparaumu, Kapiti 5032
- In person: To your local Police station
PDF forms
Permit to possess applications
Permit to possess a pistol, restricted weapon, prohibited firearm, or prohibited magazine | Application formPermit to possess a pistol carbine conversion kit | Application form
Permit to import applications
Permit to import a firearm, pistol, blank-firing gun, restricted airgun, restricted weapon, part, magazine, prohibited arms item, pistol carbine conversion kit, and/or air pistol carbine conversion kit | Application formPermit to import non-prohibited ammunition | Application form
Permit to import prohibited ammunition | Application form
Application for consent to import prohibited offensive weapon(s)