Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in Cuba?

Yes, with conditions.

Generally legal, but with real rules to follow, usually age verification and, in some places, a low-power threshold.

Tier 3: Moderate

Threshold-based licensing: a permit-free band for low-power airguns, with a licence required above it.

The picture at a glance

Each measure below scores how restrictive Cuba is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationThreshold-based

Age rule18+

PossessionRestricted access

Transfer / salePersonal import blocked

TransportVariable

AuthorityNational statute

The rules in detail

Classification

Threshold-based

Decreto-Ley 262/2008 on arms and ammunition (Gaceta Oficial Extraordinaria No. 41, 2 Dec 2008): air weapons firing projectiles of 4.5 mm or less are 'armas de uso limitado' needing no licence or permit (Arts. 8–9). Air weapons over 4.5 mm, or firing primer-fitted pellets, are prohibited (Art. 3(n)).

Age rule

18+

No licence and no stated age for ≤4.5 mm air weapons. Firearm licences require 18+ (DL 262, Art. 80).

Possession

Restricted access

≤4.5 mm (.177): no licence needed, but carry, transport and use are allowed only for the sport or activity the gun serves (DL 262, Arts. 9–10). Over 4.5 mm: prohibited.

Transfer / sale

Personal import blocked

State-controlled.

Transport

Variable

Transport ≤4.5 mm air weapons unloaded and cased, and only to and from where they are habitually used (DL 262, Art. 10).

Authority

National statute

National statute.

Hunting with an airgun

Unresolved. Cuba has a licensed sport-hunting system (DL 262 lists caza among lawful purposes), but no airgun-specific hunting rule was confirmed.

Deer

Unresolved / not addressed

Not listed

Turkey

Unresolved / not addressed

Not listed

Small game

Unresolved / not addressed

Not listed

Predators

Unresolved / not addressed

Not listed

Other big game

Unresolved / not addressed

Not listed

Import & travel

Energy threshold

Calibre-based: ≤4.5 mm licence-free 'limited use'; over 4.5 mm prohibited

Caliber rule

4.5 mm (.177) maximum. Larger air calibres, and pellets with primers, are prohibited weapons (DL 262, Art. 3(n)).

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure

Travellers may bring one ≤4.5 mm air weapon, one time only, under the customs reference-value list in Resolución 175/2022 (as reported by Cuban customs-advice sites; the official text was not seen). The Ministry of the Interior inspects it at the border and can refuse entry, and telescopic sights are reported to be confiscated. Anything over 4.5 mm is a prohibited weapon.

Keep exploring

Open the interactive mapSee how this compares across the map and switch between legal and hunting views.Ballistics toolkitCheck energy, velocity, and range for any airgun and load.Ammo databaseBrowse 600+ pellets and slugs by caliber and weight.

This is a plain-language summary compiled from primary statutes and official guidance. It isn't legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.