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Prohibited goods

​​​​Importing paintball and skirmish ​markers to Australia

The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (the Regulations) control the importation of:

  • paintball firearms (also known as paintball markers and skirmish paint guns)
  • gel ball blasters
  • soft air firearms.

To import paintball and skirmish markers into Australia, importers must get written certification from the police firearms or weapons registry in their state or territory, or from the Department of Home Affairs (see Contacts).​

Police Certification

You can import paintball and skirmish markers into Australia with police certification. This includes:

  • single-shot
  • repeating-action
  • semi-automatic and
  • fully automatic paintball and skirmish markers.

To import these goods, you must get a B709A - Importation of Firearms – Police Confirmation and Certification form from the police firearms or weapons registry in their state or territory.

Importers must present the original B709A form to the ABF at the time of importation.​

Department of Home Affairs Permit

Police certification does not apply to paintball and skirmish markers with the following characteristics:

  • the appearance of the paintball or skirmish marker is substantially the same as a fully automatic firearm
  • a firearm accessory is attached or is integral to the paintball or skirmish marker.​

Importers must apply for permission to import these goods through the Department of Home Affair​s' online portal.

Importers must present the import permit to the ABF at the time of importation.

Paintball and skirmish ammunition and hoppers

You need Police Certification to import paintball ammunition (known as paintballs) for use with paintball markers. Gel balls and small plastic and metal pellets for use with skirmish markers are also controlled.

When you import ammunition for paintball and skirmish markers with the firearms, you can include the ammunition on the same import document.

You need permission to import spring actuated firearm-style paintball and skirmish marker magazines.

You do not need permission to import gravity fed hoppers for paintballs and skirmish ammunition as we do not consider them to be firearm magazines.​