Visiting Northern Ireland with Firearms

Northern Ireland Firearms Legislation
Firearms legislation in Northern Ireland is different than that of Great Britain so if you intend to visit or transit through or leave Northern Ireland and you have your firearms with you there are certain regulations that you will be required to comply with.

Northern Ireland Firearms Legislation
Firearms legislation in Northern Ireland is different than that of Great Britain so if you intend to visit or transit through or leave Northern Ireland and you have your firearms with you there are certain regulations that you will be required to comply with. The following paragraphs will provide you with guidance on the requirements for correct documentation and information on the procedures that are likely to be applied depending on your mode of transport.

GB residents visiting or transiting through Northern Ireland
From May 2016 firearm and shotgun certificates issued in Great Britain are valid in Northern Ireland. No further documentation is required to enable Great Britain certificate holders to travel to Northern Ireland with their firearms. However in Northern Ireland airguns of over one joule and over are considered firearms. If you wish to bring such an airgun to Northern Ireland, you must apply for a Northern Ireland certificate of approval (Form 30/15). There is a fee of £11.00 for this documentation. Please apply at least 8 weeks before your expected date of travel. This includes residents from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Non-GB residents visiting or transiting through Northern Ireland
Non GB visitors wishing to bring firearms into Northern Ireland to either shoot or transit through must have an application for a Visitors firearm’s permit ( Form 30/38 ) submitted on their behalf by a ‘sponsor’ who must be a resident of Northern Ireland. The application must be accompanied by a copy of the domestic firearms permit for the firearm intended to be held in Northern Ireland and in case of nationals from the European Union the original European Firearms Pass (EFP). The possession of a Northern Ireland visitor’s firearm permit does not allow possession or use of your firearm in any other part of the UK.

The cost for an individual Northern Ireland Visitors Permit is £16 (sterling), however for a group application for six or more persons (but no more than 20) the fee is £80 (sterling). Application must be received at least 6 weeks before the expected date of arrival in Northern Ireland.