Our Island Plan

Firearms and other weapons

This page is intended as a general guide and has no force in law. If you think you may be affected by the provisions, you are advised to seek independent legal advice.

This page provides guidance on the import and export controls that apply where someone wishes to move firearms, their accessories or ammunition, or other weapons to or from the Isle of Man.

When firearms are subject to export controls

Firearms, and their parts, components, accessories or ammunition and related software and technology are controlled strategic goods. Unless an exception applies, you need a licence to export any controlled firearms from the Isle of Man to another country other than the UK.

This applies to:

  • Individuals

  • Businesses, including registered firearms dealers

  • Both permanent, and temporary exports, such as for an exhibition, a competition or for the purpose of a holiday

Other firearms export requirements

In addition to holding an export licence before you export your items, you must:

  • Notify the Isle of Man Constabulary and provide proof of export

  • Inform your ferry operator or airline as the company you are travelling with may have additional rules about carrying firearms, sporting guns or ammunition

  • Declare you are carrying firearms to a customs officer

  • Ensure you have any relevant permits from authorities in the destination country, or any country where the goods may be transiting.

The Treasury cannot be held responsible for any actions that authorities in the destination country might take if they believe relevant import regulations have not been satisfied.

Movements from the Isle of Man to the United Kingdom

Although the movement of firearms are not considered to be an export when transported from the Isle of Man to United Kingdom, you must have the appropriate licence or permit in place prior to the movement. You should speak to the Isle of Man Constabulary to find out more about the requirements.

The Treasury cannot be held responsible for any actions that authorities in the destination country might take if they believe relevant import regulations have not been satisfied.

Where is the law on firearms export controls

The legislation concerned with firearms export controls is –

Links to this legislation are to UK law, which are given legal effect in the Isle of Man under the Customs and Excise Act 1993 and the European Union and Trade Act 2019.

Other Isle of Man legislation concerning the regulation of firearms and other weapons:

  • Firearms Act 1947
  • Firearms Act 1968
  • Air Guns and Shot Guns etc. Act 1968
  • Shot Guns, Air Weapons and Cross-Bows Act 1994

Firearms, their parts, components and accessories are described in entries  ML1 and ML2 of Schedule 2 to the Export Control Order. Ammunition associated with these firearms, and their specially designed components, are described in ML3 of Schedule 2 to the Export Control Order. Entries ML21 and ML22 control software and technology in relation to the firearms and ammunition specified in ML1, ML2 and ML3.

Some firearms, their parts, components and accessories are controlled under entries PL9010 and PL9011 of Schedule 3 to the Export Control Order. PL9010 and PL9011 only apply when the firearms regulation does not. The main difference between entries PL9010 and PL9011 is the destination of the export.

The firearms regulation implements Article 10 of the United Nations Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of, and trafficking in, firearms, their parts, components and ammunition. The goods controlled under this Regulation are listed in Annex I.

You may also need to consider trade sanctions law. You can find more information about sanctions on the Sanctions Guidance page.

When are firearms and other weapons subject to import controls

You must not import offensive weapons into the Isle of Man from any country, including the UK.

You must not import into the Isle of Man from any country, other than the UK, any of the following without an import licence:

  • Firearms (including deactivated firearms)

  • Component parts of firearms (barrel, frame, body or receiver (including upper and lower receivers), slide, chamber or cylinder, breech block, bolt or other mechanism for containing the pressure of discharge at the rear of the chamber)

  • Ammunition

  • Any accessory to any such firearm or other weapon designed or adapted to diminish the noise or flash caused by firing the weapon manufactured on or after 1 January 1900

Firearms manufactured on or before 31 December 1899 do not require an import licence. However, it is for the importer to establish that this carve-out applies. If the date of manufacture of a firearm is disputed and you cannot prove the date of manufacture to the satisfaction of the import authorities, then that firearm will be considered to be subject to import licensing controls. The date of first manufacture of a type of firearm is not proof of the date of manufacture of the actual firearm being imported.

Other firearms import requirements

In addition to holding an import licence before you import your items, you must:

Movements from the United Kingdom to the Isle of Man

Although the movement of firearms are not considered to be an import when transported from the United Kingdom to the Isle of Man, you must have the appropriate licence or permit in place prior to the movement. You should speak to the Isle of Man Constabulary to find out more about the requirements.

Where is the law on firearms and other weapons import controls

The legislation concerned with firearms import controls is –

Links to this legislation are to UK law, which are given legal effect in the Isle of Man under the Customs and Excise Act 1993.

The legislation concerned with the ban on import of offensive weapons is:

  • Criminal Justice Act 1991
    • Criminal Justice (Offensive Weapons) Order 1995 (the list of 'offensive weapons' is contained in this Order)

Other Isle of Man legislation concerning the regulation of firearms and other weapons:

  • Firearms Act 1947
  • Firearms Act 1968
  • Air Guns and Shot Guns etc. Act 1968
  • Shot Guns, Air Weapons and Cross-Bows Act 1994
  • Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1963

'Firearm' is defined in section 32 of the Firearms Act 1947.

You must check before you import whether any goods you wish to import are prohibited, you have a legal exemption, or you require a licence.

You may also need to consider trade sanctions law. You can find more information about sanctions on the Sanctions Guidance page.

How to apply for a licence

In the Isle of Man, the Treasury may issue import and export licences, with any applications administered by the Customs and Immigration Division.

However, for exports we strongly advise you to use the UK’s online SPIRE system provided by the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU), who administers the UK’s system of export controls and licensing. All applications received in the Isle of Man are referred to the ECJU for the necessary checks with other departments and organisations prior to any decision on a licence.

The OGEL and Goods Checker Tools can be used to:

  • Help determine if the items are controlled
  • Identify the appropriate control entry

Export Licences

You must have a licence to export firearms unless an exception applies.

There are open general export licences available (OGELs), which are licences with set terms and conditions which you must comply with. OGELs which can be used to export firearms include –

If you cannot comply with the terms and conditions of an OGEL you must apply for a standard individual export licence (SIEL) or open individual export licence (OIEL).

You can find more information about how to apply for an export licence.

If you are considering exporting firearms which are over 50 years old and valued over a certain threshold, you may also require an export licence from the Treasury. Find out more about cultural goods exports.

Exceptions to export licences

Article 16 of the Export Control Order provides an exception for the export of firearms as personal effects. You do not normally need an export licence to take or send the following items overseas if they are for personal use and part of your personal effects:

  • Firearms
  • Shotguns
  • Related ammunition and sights (non-electronic image enhancement).

This only applies if you have either a valid certificate or visitor’s permit for your firearm or shotgun. You must have the relevant items entered on the certificate. The certificates and items must be ready to be presented by the holder, or their appointed agent, to a customs officer at the place of export.

This exception does not apply to exports to Iran, or to a country or destination specified in Parts 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 4 to the Export Control Order.

Import licences

This Notice to Importers issued by the UK Department for International Trade is a helpful guide to determine whether you require an import licence for firearms, their components, ammunition and any accessories.

The Open General Import Licence (OGIL) applies in the Isle of Man, although please note that the law in relation to handguns is different in the Isle of Man.

Who is responsible for enforcing the controls

In the Isle of Man, the Customs & Immigration Division of the Treasury has overall responsibility for enforcing import and export control law.

The Treasury works alongside the Isle of Man Constabulary in relation to firearms and other weapons controls. The Constabulary is responsible for the regulation of firearms in the Isle of Man.

What if I get it wrong

If you fail to meet the relevant legal requirements, the item will be liable to forfeiture and will be seized. You may also be arrested and prosecuted for importing the item illegally into the Island and/or possessing the item illegally in the Island. The maximum prison sentence is up to 10 years.

Further Information

Contact Details

Customs and Immigration Division

Telephone: +44 1624 648100

Email: sanctions@gov.im

Website: gov.im - Sanctions and Export Control/

Isle of Man Constabulary

Telephone: +441624 631212

Email: FirearmsEnquiries.DHA@gov.im

Website: Isle of Man Constabulary - Firearms and regulated weapons certificate

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