The guide includes detailed information to help you meet your obligations.
All museum curators or directors responsible for firearms must comply with the laws relating to the possession, secure storage, and display of firearms and ammunition.
Museum guidance and Registry information
Guidance for museums on meeting their obligations for possessing and displaying arms items, and for keeping information about arms items in their possession recorded in the Arms Registry.
On this page
What’s in the guide?
New registry obligations
Under the Arms Act 2026, business and museums licence holders need to ensure that information about museum arms items in their possession is recorded in the Arms Registry.
As Museum licences are a new licence type under the Arms Act 2026, some Museum licence holders may need to provide information about arms items in their possession to the Arms Registry by 24 June 2029, to help keep the Registry complete and up to date.
The extension of this timeframe by one year (previously scheduled for 2028) will allow the new digital Arms System to be developed, which is expected to simplify how businesses and organisations register their arms items.
Using the Business Transactions form
Obligations relating to registry | Arms Act 2026 - Section 30 | New Zealand Legislation website
Using the Business Transactions form
Under the Arms Act 2026, Museum licence holders need to ensure information about arms items in their possession is recorded in the Arms Registry.
Why you’re required to record transactions online
Providing information through the Business Transactions form means we can make sure Museums licence holders are aware of their requirements to register arms items.
Entering details into the Business Transactions form does not register the arms items in the Firearms Registry.
When you need to use the Business Transactions form
Business are required to use the Business Transactions form when suppling or receiving any of the following specified items with licence holders:
- standard firearms, including high-energy airguns
- restricted firearms and magazines
- pistols
- restricted weapons
- major firearm parts (that are not integrated into a firearm)
- pistol carbine conversion kits (PCCKs)
- ammunition sales.
A major firearm part is:
- the action (frame, receiver, or upper receiver and lower receiver) of a firearm
- the frame of a pistol, or
- a calibre conversion component or kit of a pistol.
You must record the transaction at the time of sale, or as soon as possible afterwards.
What to record in the Business Transactions form
Arms item information
For each arms item, you are required to record:
- make
- model
- identification marking (for example, a serial number)
- action type (as appropriate)
- calibre/gauge (as appropriate)
- magazine capacity (as appropriate).
If you supply or receive a pistol, restricted firearm, restricted magazine, restricted weapon or PCCK, you will also need to record some details of the buyer’s permit to possess, including:
- permit number
- issue date
- office location (code).
Other information
You'll also be required to submit the following information:
- business details, including name and the business licence number and version number
- customer details, including name, address, firearms licence number and version number (if applicable)
- transaction type
- date of transaction.
On and from 24 June 2025, the sale of ammunition must be recorded in the Business Transactions form.
What to record in your business book
Keep recording the following transactions in your business book:
- business-to-business transfers of arms items and ammunition
- airgun sales and supply including airgun projectiles
- exports to individuals without a New Zealand firearms licence
- arms items surrendered by anyone in accordance with Section 342 of the Arms Act 2026
- standard magazine sales.
For auctions, you’re also required to continue to record the:
- date and place of the auction
- name of the auctioneer who conducted the auction
- method of delivery of the item to the purchaser.
Note: You are still required to use the Firearms Licence Checker tool to validate licences, for transactions entered into your business book.
How to use the Business Transactions form
-
Provide details about the main business
You'll need to provide the following details about the main business licence holder for your business or museum:
- First and last name
- Business licence number
- Version numberNote: If you cannot validate the Museum licence details, call us for help on 0800 844 431. We're available 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
-
Provide details about the customer
You’ll need to provide the following details about the customer:
- First and last name
- Firearms licence number
- Version number (if applicable)
- AddressNote: 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 Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand for help on 0800 844 431. We're available 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. -
Provide details about the transaction
You’ll need to provide the following details about the transaction:
- Transaction type (for example, supplied or received)
- Date of transaction
You also have the option to include a business reference code. This is so you can link the transaction back to a staff member or other system reference.Depending on the item type (such as whether it’s a rifle, shotgun etc), this may include the make, model, action, calibre/gauge, the magazine capacity, and the identification marking (serial number).
Note: If the item requires a permit to possess you must enter the details of the customer’s permit.
-
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 business record keeping obligations under section 12 of the Arms Act 1983 and the Arms Regulations 1992.
Submit the form. -
Note the online reference number
The final screen will confirm that the transaction has been completed and will provide a reference number, along with the date and time the transaction was submitted.
Please keep a record of the reference number, as it may be needed if you contact us about this transaction in the future. If you would like information about your transaction, you will need to contact us and provide the reference number.From this page, you can be taken back to Step 2 to submit another transaction under the same business licence.
Watch our video for step-by-step instructions on how to use the Business Transactions form
If the Business Transactions form is unavailable
If the Business Transactions form is unavailable due to technical issues or an outage, record the transaction in your business records book, using the Firearms Licence Checker to validate the licence.
The transaction should then be entered into the Dealer Transactions form as soon as it becomes available again.
If you’re having a problem with the form, call us on 0800 844 431 between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
| Need help? | |
 | Phone 0800 844 431 (04 499 2870) 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |