Firearms → India

Arms Act restricts all firearms; import permit extremely difficult

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.

Quantity limit

Prohibited without import licence

Legal reference

Arms Act 1959

Leaving with this item

India prohibits taking firearms out of the country without an advance export authorisation; licensed hunters and sport shooters are the main exception categories.

Practical advice

Import licence extremely difficult to obtain. Foreign nationals should not attempt to bring firearms.

Customs authority

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) · https://www.cbic.gov.in