Firearms, major firearm parts and pistol carbine conversion kits (PCCKs) you bring into New Zealand need to be registered. We will register them on your behalf.
If we need more information about the items, we will contact you.
Bring arms items when you visit New Zealand
If you are bringing arms items or ammunition with you, you must tell us what you are bringing when you complete your application for a multi-entry visitor's licence.
On this page
What visitors can bring to New Zealand
When you have a multi-entry visitor’s firearms licence, you may only bring:
- standard rifles and shotguns
- pistols for pistol competitions organised by a recognised pistol shooting club
- parts and magazines for your listed firearms
- ammunition for the firearms you’re bringing.
Semi-automatic firearms you can bring to New Zealand
In some situations, you may be able to bring semi-automatic firearms to New Zealand.
You may be able to bring:
- semi-automatic firearms:
- capable of firing only 0.22 calibre or lower rimfire cartridges with magazines capable of holding no more than 10 cartridges
- semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns with non-detachable tubular magazines that cannot hold more than 5 cartridges
- small semi-automatic pistols, for organised and approved pistol competitions only.
What visitors cannot bring to New Zealand
Certain firearms and parts are restricted in New Zealand and are not able to be brought in by visitors.
You cannot bring these items to New Zealand with you:
- most semi-automatic firearms - however there are some exceptions (noted above)
- a rifle with a non-detachable magazine that can hold more than 10 cartridges
- a shotgun with a non-detachable (tubular or otherwise) magazine that holds more than 5 cartridges
- centrefire pump-action rifles that can be used with detachable magazines
- pump-action shotguns that can be used with a detachable magazine
- restricted weapons, for example fully automatic or select fire firearms
- detachable rifle magazines that hold more than 10 cartridges
- detachable shotgun magazines that hold more than 5 cartridges.
The Arms Act 2026 has more detail about the firearms, magazines and parts that are restricted in New Zealand:
- Meaning of restricted firearm | Arms Act 2026, Part 1, Section 9 | New Zealand Legislation website
- Meaning of restricted magazine | Arms Act 2026, Part 1, Section 10 | New Zealand Legislation website
- Interpretation | Arms Act 2026, Part 1, Section 5 | New Zealand Legislation website
- Meaning of restricted weapon | Arms Act 2026, Part 1, Section 11 | New Zealand Legislation website
- Declaring items to be restricted weapons | Arms Act 2026, Part 8, Section 376 | New Zealand Legislation website
Firearms Registry requirements
| Need help? | |
 | Phone 0800 844 431 (04 499 2870) 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday |