Firearms 🇮🇳 India
Arms Act restricts all firearms; import permit extremely difficult
Can I bring Firearms into India?
Arms Act restricts all firearms; import permit extremely difficult
Full details
India restricts firearm ownership under the Arms Act 1959. Import of firearms requires an extremely difficult to obtain import licence. Foreign nationals cannot import firearms except for approved sporting events with prior government authorization. Penalties include imprisonment up to 7 years. Enforcement in India carries fines from INR 100,000 to INR 10,000,000 and imprisonment up to 7 years in aggravated cases under Customs Act 1962 s.135; Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985. Leaving India with firearms is a separate question — prohibited: India prohibits taking firearms out of the country without an advance export authorisation; licensed hunters and sport shooters are the main exception categories.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 100000–10000000 INR
- Imprisonment up to 84 months
- Criminal penalty
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving India with firearms
Export of firearms from India requires advance authorisation issued before departure under Arms Act 1959; Arms Rules 2016; DGFT restricted-goods list. Unlicensed firearms export is a serious criminal offence carrying substantial fines and imprisonment. Even properly licensed domestic owners require the separate export authorisation for cross-border movement, and ammunition and firearm parts (barrels, receivers) fall under the same framework. Airlines additionally require advance notice and locked-case carriage in checked baggage.
Import licence extremely difficult to obtain. Foreign nationals should not attempt to bring firearms.
Prohibited without import licence
Arms Act 1959
This page covers destination customs rules in India. Whether you can carry firearms through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Firearms rules in other countries
Firearms
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Strict prohibition on most firearms
Firearms
🇦🇺 Australia
Prohibited without import permit
Firearms
🇯🇵 Japan
Complete civilian ban
Firearms
🇲🇽 Mexico
Illegal to bring firearms without SEDENA permit
Firearms
🇺🇸 United States
Second Amendment; state laws vary widely
Firearms
🇨🇦 Canada
PAL required; restricted and prohibited classifications