How to Import an Airsoft Gun into New Zealand
Thinking about buying an airsoft gun from overseas? Before you hit checkout, know this: most airsoft guns entering New Zealand require a permit to import issued by Police. It is not the same as ordering a pair of boots from the UK, and turning up at the border without the paperwork means the gun gets seized.
Here is how the rules actually work.
Are airsoft guns legal in New Zealand?
Yes — but they are legally classified as airguns under the Arms Act 1983, not as toys and not as firearms. You can own and use an airsoft gun in New Zealand without a firearms licence, provided you are 18 or over.
The complication is a sub-category called a restricted airgun. An airgun is a restricted airgun if it looks like a pistol, a restricted weapon, a prohibited firearm, or a firearm capable of full automatic fire.
Most airsoft replicas fall into that description. Your M4 looks like a military-style semi-automatic. Your Glock looks like a pistol. That is exactly what makes them restricted airguns for import purposes.
Do you need a permit to import?
| Item | Permit required? |
|---|---|
| Airsoft gun that looks like a pistol, MSSA or full-auto firearm | Yes — restricted airgun |
| Airsoft gun that does not resemble any of those | Usually no |
| Airgun parts, magazines, scopes, rails, slings | No |
| BBs and pellets | No |
So a spare magazine is painless. The gun itself usually is not.
How to apply for a permit to import
1. Confirm the classification first. If the model you want has the appearance of a pistol or a military-style rifle, assume it is a restricted airgun and plan accordingly.
2. Apply before the item ships — and before it lands. The permit must be issued before the gun reaches New Zealand. Applying after it has shipped is how people end up with a seized parcel and a customs headache.
3. Submit a permit to import application to Police / Te Tari Pūreke. You will need to state what the item is, who the supplier is, and — critically — why it should be allowed in.
4. Expect a "special reasons" test. This is the hard part. A restricted airgun is not granted as of right the way a non-restricted firearm is. The Police must be satisfied there are special reasons why the item should be allowed into the country. A first-time individual ordering one gun for personal use is a weak case; a genuine collector or competitor importing something unavailable here is a much stronger one.
5. Provide a sample if asked. Police can require an unmodified sample of the item for examination and testing. If the sample is not approved, you must export it within 12 months — at your own cost. The Crown does not compensate you for damage caused by testing.
6. Import in one consignment. Permits cover a single shipment, or multiple shipments arriving within a 30-day window. A permit expires 12 months after issue, and it is personal — it cannot be transferred or sold on.
7. Notify Police after it arrives. Within 30 days of import, you must notify Police of the import, including the item's identifying details.
What happens at the border
Customs and Police can seize and detain any arms item that arrives without a valid permit — and they can use reasonable force to do so. If your gun lands without paperwork, you do not get a polite email asking you to resubmit. You get a held item, storage, and a process to either export it or have it disposed of.
The practical reality
For a single gun, importing to New Zealand is usually slower, riskier and more expensive than the sticker price suggests:
- Permits are discretionary for restricted airguns, and most replicas qualify as restricted
- Freight, GST and customs charges stack on top of the purchase price
- Shipping damage claims across international borders are painful
- If the sample is rejected or the permit is declined, you are paying to send it back
Buying domestically avoids all of it. Stock already inside New Zealand has cleared the import process, which is why the price gap between a local gun and an overseas one is usually smaller than it first appears.
Browse our Electric Airsoft Guns (AEG), Gas Blowback and Pre-Loved ranges — all in stock in New Zealand.
FAQ
Can I import an airsoft gun to New Zealand without a permit?
Only if it is not a restricted airgun, a restricted weapon, or specially dangerous. Most airsoft replicas of pistols and military-style rifles are classified as restricted airguns for importation and do require a permit.
Do BBs, magazines and parts need a permit to import?
No. Airgun parts and projectiles — including BBs — do not require a permit or consent to import.
How long does a permit to import last?
Twelve months from the date of issue, and it is personal to you. It cannot be transferred to anyone else.
What if my gun is seized at the border?
Police or Customs may seize and detain it. You will need to work through the process to export it or have it dealt with — and you should seek advice specific to your situation.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Import rules are administered by Police and Te Tari Pūreke, and are subject to change. Confirm the current requirements with the Firearms Safety Authority before you import anything.