Can I import an airsoft gun from China to the UK?

Classify the exact gun before ordering

In Great Britain, a qualifying airsoft gun is excluded from the Firearms Act’s definition of a firearm. The definition concerns its design, projectile and maximum muzzle energy capability. It covers spherical plastic or partly plastic projectiles no larger than 8 millimetres, with a permitted energy of 1.3 joules for guns capable of successive shots without repeated trigger pressure, or 2.5 joules otherwise.

Ask for the exact model, operating mechanism, firing modes, projectile specification and measured muzzle energy with the test conditions recorded. Have an unresolved classification assessed before paying. A factory description such as “toy” or “airsoft” is a starting point for enquiries. Use our commodity code guide for the separate customs classification.

Check appearance and import restrictions separately

A realistic imitation firearm has an appearance practically indistinguishable from a real firearm and is neither deactivated nor an antique. Size, shape and principal colour matter. A gun can therefore qualify as airsoft while still needing a separate realistic imitation firearm assessment.

Bringing a realistic imitation firearm into Great Britain, or causing it to be brought in, is an offence subject to applicable defences. Send photographs and the technical file to the adviser assessing your order. Follow our import licence guide for tariff restrictions and licensing enquiries; keep that enquiry separate from the evidence supporting a realistic imitation firearm defence.

Document the actual permitted purpose

The airsoft skirmishing defence concerns recreational military or law enforcement scenarios, with third party liability insurance held in connection with the activities. Describe the actual organised activity you intend to join. If your plan is collecting or garden target practice, ask which defence supports that specific purpose before ordering.

Build a purpose file with club or site confirmation, participation records, bookings and confirmation of the relevant insurance cover. Ask the person assessing your import which records substantiate your circumstances. The Home Office describes the United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association database as an identification tool; keep evidence of your intended activity alongside any database record.

Confirm the destination within the UK

For England and Wales, assess the Great Britain airsoft definition and realistic imitation firearm restrictions together. Record where the gun will be delivered and used, rather than describing the destination only as “UK”.

Scotland shares those Great Britain rules, but its separate air weapon licensing legislation excludes air weapons that are not firearms under the Firearms Act. A qualifying airsoft gun falls outside that definition. If the model does not qualify, ask the local police firearms licensing team which controls apply before paying.

Northern Ireland has separate firearms legislation. Its air guns are subject to firearm certificate control except those within the low-energy exemption. Do not carry a Great Britain classification conclusion over to a Northern Ireland delivery. Send the specification and intended use to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and obtain advice on possession and import requirements.

Make payment conditional on a resolved order file

Before a deposit, bring together the assessed classification, destination, purpose evidence, licensing answer and the carrier’s written acceptance of the exact goods. Agree what happens if a necessary permission or carriage arrangement cannot be obtained. Check who will be named as importer and whose purpose the supporting records describe.

Before shipment, compare the actual goods with the assessed model and specification, and review any changes in colour, mechanism or power. Keep the evidence with the shipment file described in our customs clearance documents guide. Cambridge China Bridge’s staff in China can help obtain factory records and check that the goods match the agreed specification.