Find out if you need a permit to import or possess firearms and arms items, and how to apply for one.

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: 

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:
  • 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 import applications

Disqualified person

If you are a disqualified person from holding a firearms licence:

  • you cannot apply for a licence
  • Te Tari Pūreke can’t consider your application

You are disqualified from holding a firearms licence if in the last 10 years you have had a protection order, other than a temporary order, made against you under the Family Violence Act 2018 or the Domestic Violence Act 1995.

You are disqualified from holding a firearms licence if in the last 10 years you have been convicted or released from custody after being convicted of offences under the:

  • Sentencing Act 2002
  • Arms Act 1983
  • Crimes Act 1961

You may be disqualified from holding a firearms licence if you have been convicted overseas for an offence involving violence, drugs, or alcohol.

Sentencing Act 2002

Any serious violent offence as defined in the Sentencing Act disqualifies you from holding a firearms licence.

Arms Act 1983

Offences under the Arms Act that disqualify people from holding a licence include:

  • importing a firearm or other arms item without a permit
  • importing prohibited ammunition
  • selling or supplying a prohibited firearm or magazine
  • unlawfully possessing a prohibited firearm
  • unlawfully carrying or possessing a prohibited firearm in a public place
  • presenting a prohibited firearm at another person
  • using or attempting to use a prohibited firearm, airgun, or other arms item to resist or prevent arrest, or to commit an offence
  • carrying a prohibited firearm, or other arms item with criminal intent assembling a prohibited firearm
  • illegally manufacturing arms items
  • illegally trafficking firearms, parts, or ammunition falsifying firearm markings

Crimes Act 1961

Offences under the Crimes Act that disqualify people from holding a licence include:

  • piracy
  • slave dealing
  • participation in an organised criminal group
  • strangulation or suffocation
  • acid throwing
  • assault with a weapon
  • blackmail
  • arson
  • intentional damage
  • threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm

 

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