Apply for a permit to import

Find out how to apply for a permit to import arms items into New Zealand.

Check before you apply

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

A permit to import grants permission to bring your arms items into New Zealand from overseas. You need a permit to import even if you are bringing your item back after taking it overseas.

You need a permit to import:

Standard firearms and magazines
Parts
Airguns - restricted and high-energy
Pistols and large capacity pistols magazines
Restricted weapons
Restricted firearms and magazines
Pistol carbine conversion kits
Air pistol carbine conversion kits
Offensive weapons
Blank firing guns, parts and exempt blank firing guns
Exempt standard firearms and exempt pistols

Items that require a permit or consent to import

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 Arms Officer. 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 business. 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 business licence. They’ll need to record the imported items in their business book before giving them to the importer.

Items that require a special reason

The requirement to demonstrate a special reason (197(6)(a)) provides a mechanism to closely oversee the introduction of high risk arms items into New Zealand and prevent their proliferation, particularly where those items present heightened public safety, regulatory, or compliance risks.

The purpose of requiring a special reason is not to prevent lawful import, ownership or use, but to ensure that importation occurs only where there is a genuine and justifiable need for the specific item in New Zealand. This approach supports the broader objectives of the Arms Act.

The term “special reason” is deliberately broad, comprehensive, and flexible. It allows a wide range of matters to be considered on a case by case basis. A special reason is one that sets the application apart from the usual or ordinary reasons that might otherwise be relied upon. What constitutes a special reason will depend on the particular circumstances of each case; a reason that is special in one instance may not be special in another. Any special reason should align with, and be consistent with, the reason the licence holder sought their endorsement (except in the case of restricted airguns which do not require a licence to possess).

Although Firearms Safety and Education has discretion to grant or refuse a permit to import, it may not ban whole categories of firearms or arms items. Each import application must be individually assessed on its own merits.

The responsibility for establishing a special reason rest with the applicant. Applications must be made in writing and include sufficient detail to clearly explain why the applicant believes the item needs to be imported into New Zealand. The applicant should also address whether the same or a substantially similar item is already available within New Zealand.

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@firearmssafety.govt.nz
By post: Permit Team, Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand, 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@firearmssafety.govt.nz

If your item is seized, contact New Zealand Customs