Firearms 🇲🇾 Malaysia
Firearms import prohibited
Can I bring Firearms into Malaysia?
Firearms import prohibited
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Firearms and ammunition are prohibited imports unless the importer holds an import licence from the Chief Police Officer under the Arms Act 1960; carrying one into Malaysia without that licence is an offence. In the reverse direction (taking firearms out of Malaysia): prohibited — Malaysia prohibits taking firearms out of the country without an advance export authorisation; licensed hunters and sport shooters are the main exception categories.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 10000 MYR
- Imprisonment up to 480 months
- Criminal penalty
Importing arms or ammunition without a licence carries up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both under the Arms Act. Importing a firearm without that licence also falls within the statutory definition of trafficking in firearms, which carries 30 to 40 years' imprisonment and whipping.
WHAT THE LAW SAYS
Customs (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2023, Third Schedule Part 1 — goods prohibited except in the manner provided, item 45
“Arms and ammunition as defined under”
The manner provided is an import licence from the Chief Police Officer under the Arms Act 1960.
lom.agc.gov.myArms Act 1960 (Act 206, reprint incorporating amendments up to 1 January 2006), s.15(1)
“No person shall import any arms or ammunition or parts of arms into Malaysia, either by sea, land or air, unless he holds a licence in that behalf.”lom.agc.gov.my
Arms Act 1960, s.23(1) — penalty for unlawful importation
“be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand ringgit, or to both.”lom.agc.gov.my
Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 (Act 37), s.2 — 'traffic in firearms' includes
“to import a firearm in contravention of subsection 15(1) of the Act;”lom.agc.gov.my
Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty Act 2023 (Act 846), s.45 — substituted s.7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971
“Any person trafficking in firearms shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than thirty years but not exceeding forty years and with whipping with not less than six strokes.”lom.agc.gov.my
Penalty sources checked 2026-09-19.
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving Malaysia with firearms
Export of firearms from Malaysia requires advance authorisation issued before departure under the national firearms-control legislation. 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.
Do not bring firearms to this country. Penalties may be severe. If unsure, declare on arrival — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods found in screening are seized and fined.
This page covers destination customs rules in Malaysia. Whether you can carry firearms through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Firearms rules in other countries
Firearms
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Strict prohibition on most firearms
Firearms
🇦🇺 Australia
Prohibited without import permit
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🇯🇵 Japan
Complete civilian ban
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🇲🇽 Mexico
Illegal to bring firearms without SEDENA permit
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🇺🇸 United States
Second Amendment; state laws vary widely
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🇨🇦 Canada
PAL required; restricted and prohibited classifications