Importing paintball markers to Australia
The importation of paintball firearms (also known as paintball markers and skirmish paint guns) is controlled under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (the Regulations).
To import paintball markers (designed exclusively to fire paintballs) 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.
Police Certification
Paintball markers can be imported into Australia with police certification. This includes:
- single-shot
- repeating-action
- semi-automatic and
- fully automatic paintball markers.
Importers must complete a
B709A - Importation of Firearms – Police Confirmation and Certification form.
Firearm dealers can also use a B709DA - Ongoing Importation by Firearms Dealer – Police Confirmation form and provide the make, model and serial number information at the time of importation. Firearms registries that do not issue B709DA forms may only issue the single use B709A forms. You can get forms from your state or territory firearms registry, see Contacts.
The original B709A form, or a copy of the B709DA form, must be presented to the ABF at the time of importation.
Department of Home Affairs' Permit
Police certification does not apply to paintball markers with the following characteristics:
- the appearance of the paintball marker is substantially the same as a fully automatic firearm
- a firearm accessory is attached or is integral to the paintball marker.
Importers must apply for permission to import these goods through the Department of Home Affairs'
online portal.
Importers must present the import permit to the ABF at the time of importation.
Paintball ammunition and hoppers
You need Police Certification to import Paintball ammunition (known as paintballs) for use with paintball markers.
When you import paintball ammunition with the firearms, you can list the ammunition on the same import document as the firearms.
Gravity fed hoppers are not considered firearm magazines and therefore do not require permission to import. Traditional
firearm-style paintball magazines need permission to import from the police firearms or weapons registry in their state or territory, or from the Department of Home Affairs.
