Basic information
Outline of the system
Applicants for a permit to import arms items may apply directly to Permit, Visitor and Licence Cards Centre, Arms Safety and Control, NZ Police for the permit. The requirement for an import permit covers firearms, including prohibited firearms, (most centrefire semi-automatic rifles and shotguns with detachable or large capacity magazines are prohibited firearms), pistols, restricted weapons, and parts thereof, prohibited magazines, airguns which mimic real firearms (restricted airguns), pistol carbine conversion kits, air pistol carbine conversion kits, blank-firing guns (including starting pistols), and ammunition. Permits to import pistols, restricted weapons, parts of pistols or restricted weapons, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines, prohibited parts, restricted airguns, and prohibited ammunition are subject to Police being satisfied there is a special reason why the item should be allowed in New Zealand.
Product coverage
The permitting regime applies to firearms (including prohibited firearms), pistols, restricted weapons, and parts thereof, prohibited magazines, restricted airguns, pistol carbine conversion kits, air pistol carbine conversion kits, blank-firing guns and ammunition.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The purpose is both the safe use and control of firearms and other weapons.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The importation of rimfire firearms is constrained by the approval of those firearms as being safe and having a valid civilian use in New Zealand, and by market forces. Importation of pistols, restricted weapons, parts of pistols or restricted weapons, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines and prohibited parts, restricted airguns, and prohibited ammunition are constrained by the requirement for a "special reason".
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods originating in and coming from all countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
Import permitting for firearms (etc.) is established by the Arms Act 1983 and Arms Regulations 1992.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
Certain organisations, including New Zealand Defence and Police are exempt from the licensing regime and may import firearms etc. direct if in the personal possession of a member of that organisation and for the purposes of that organisation.
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Only the holder of a firearms licence may apply for a permit to import a firearm (etc.).
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
The applicant is required to complete a standard form.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
A permit to import is required before the item lands in New Zealand.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
Not applicable.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
With the exception of blank-firing guns, import permits may only be issued to the holder of a firearms licence. Visitors may obtain a visitor's licence and permit to import (on demonstrating that they are fit and proper to possess firearms, and that they have been a bona fide shooter in their country of origin). Visitors must apply through an online application form direct to the Permit, Visitor and Licence Cards Centre, Arms Safety and Control, NZ Police, 28 working days ahead of arrival in New Zealand. For all arms items, and blank-firing guns, an application to import may be granted, but restricted to the import of a single item as a sample for inspection and for testing.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
The only exception is where the individual has been unable to obtain a permit. This is only in exceptional circumstances.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
New Zealand Police manages the firearms import permit regime (see above).
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
Conditions may be placed on the permit to import (for example, surrender of a worn part where the special reason relates to replacing a worn part of a prohibited firearm), or the provision of a sample if the firearm had not previously been imported into New Zealand or in the case of a blank-firing gun is identified as able to be readily converted to a firearm.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There is currently no charge.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
None.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
The application for a permit to import items that require a special reason listed in 6 above may be refused at the discretion of Police. In the case of all other items listed in 2 above, the application for a permit to import must be issued if Police is satisfied that the applicant is lawfully able to possess the item, and, if a sample of the item has been required for examination and testing, the applicant has lawfully provided a sample and the item is approved by Police.
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
A refusal is subject to judicial review.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
Not applicable.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
The permit to import is required to be presented to the New Zealand Customs Service.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
Permits to import firearms (etc.) are valid for one year from date of issue but apply to a single consignment or multiple consignments provided the second and later consignments arrive within a 30 day period of the first consignment.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No, although the permit is now limited to a single consignment or multiple consignments, second and later consignments are allowed to arrive within 30 days of the first consignment.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
The permit to import is personal to the person it is issued to, although a dealer may import an arms item as an agent for an individual licence holder.