Travelling with firearms or ammunition
You're welcome to fly with us when you have firearms and ammunition, as long as you follow our requirements.
To carry a firearm and/or ammunition, you must hold either:
- A current Firearms/Visitor Firearms Licence
- A valid Import Permit
- A Law Enforcement ID
Copies of documents will not be accepted.
The New Zealand Police website has more information.
You must advise us before you fly if you plan to carry a firearm:
What firearms can I carry?
How do I pack my firearm for air travel?
You must ensure your firearm is:
- Packed in a locked, hard case
- Unloaded and any fitted magazines emptied
- Rendered inoperable e.g. bolt removed, trigger guard(s)/trigger lock(s) fitted etc
- Not packed with any ammunition
- Not packed with the bolt (if applicable)
- Is declared to a Customer Service Agent when you check-in
| Checked-in | Carry-on | |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms (including replicas and decommissioned weapons) | ✔ | ✘ |
Firearms (including replicas and decommissioned weapons)
Checked-in
✔
Carry-on
✘
FAQs for travelling with firearms
How do I tell you about my firearm when I'm checking in?
Why do I have to pack my firearm in a hard case?
Do I need to pay extra to check in my firearms case?
Where can I pack my firearm's bolt once I've removed it?
I'm bringing a pistol in a small locked case. Can I pack it in my checked-in bag?
Can I pack more than one firearm in my case?
Does my imitation firearm need to be in a locked hard case?
I'm carrying two types of guns in different cases. Can I pack each one's ammunition with the other firearm?
How would you know if I didn't tell you about my firearm?
What ammunition can I carry?
Blackpowder, percussion caps and primers (unless contained in the ammunition) are not permitted.
How do I pack ammunition for air travel?
You must ensure your ammunition:
- Is in a container that separates each round (securely packed) e.g. not touching each other
- Does not weight more than 5kg, this includes the weight of the container
- Is in your checked bags
- Is not packed in the same case as your firearm
- Is declared to a Customer Service Agent when you check-in
You are approved to carry ammunition provided you have complied with the above.
| Checked-in | Carry-on | |
|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | ✔ | ✘ |
Ammunition
Checked-in
✔
Carry-on
✘
FAQs for travelling with ammunition
How do I tell you about my ammunition when I'm checking in?
How do I securely pack ammunition for a flight?
Can I pack my ammunition in my main checked-in bag?
I have a special ammunition container that weighs 500g. Can I use it to carry 5kg of ammunition?
Can I carry a 'bucket of bullets' I recently bought?
My travelling companion is not carrying ammunition, can I use their allowance?
Can I carry spent or empty shell casings?
Can I carry explosive charges for my nail gun?
Can I pack ammunition in my locked firearms case?
Can I carry ammunition in a firearm's magazine?
I'm flying internationally and have a domestic transfer. Can you check my bag with ammunition in it all the way to my destination?
How would you know if I didn't tell you about my ammunition?
Information for travelling internationally with firearms or ammunition
Carrying firearms or ammunition across borders takes care and planning:
- Always check with the New Zealand Police before carrying your firearm or ammunition into or out of New Zealand . You may require special permits e.g. Import, Export etc.
- Check for permit requirements, restrictions etc., for any country you are traveling to or through.
- Carry all your relevant permits, documents etc., and be prepared to show them when asked.
Switching to another airline's aircraft:
- Be sure to declare the firearm and ammunition to the new airline.
- We can't transfer any bag containing a firearm or ammunition to another airline.
- If you're switching to a non-Air New Zealand aircraft, you will need to clear customs, collect your bags and check them in with the new airline.
- This applies to our codeshare partners, even if the flight has an Air NZ flight number.
If travelling internationally or on a different airline, check their firearms and ammunition requirements. They may have stricter rules than us, and failure to comply could incur severe penalties.