Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in Madagascar?

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 Madagascar is on that part of owning or transferring an airgun, from permissive (green) to firearm-level (red).

ClassificationThreshold-based

Age rule18+

PossessionVariable

Transfer / saleVariable

TransportVariable

AuthorityNational statute

Before you buy or sell

Tourist weapon introduction authorization does not replace a hunting permit.
Conservation and protected-species concerns make hunting analysis unusually sensitive.
New gun permits (permis de port d'arme) have been suspended since at least December 2021 pending a new arms law, and were still suspended as of January 2025. Air rifles above 6 kgm (about 59 J) may be impossible to authorize for now; renewals of existing permits continue.

The rules in detail

Classification

Threshold-based

Law No. 69-011 of 22 July 1969 and Decree No. 70-041 classify arms by muzzle energy whatever the power source. Arms under 6 kilogrammetres (about 59 J) are 5th category and unregulated (Law art. 5). Rifled long guns above 6 kgm, including air rifles, are 3rd category (hunting) and need authorization; handguns of 6–30 kgm are 2nd category.

Age rule

18+

18+ practical adult baseline; exact airgun-specific age rule unresolved.

Possession

Variable

Airguns under 6 kgm (about 59 J) are 5th-category arms and are not regulated. Rifled air rifles above that are 3rd-category arms needing authorization (air pistols from 6 up to 30 kgm are 2nd category). New gun permits (permis de port d'arme) have been suspended since at least December 2021 pending a replacement arms law, and were still suspended as of January 2025.

Transfer / sale

Variable

Import, export, and arms commerce are authorization-controlled. Do not treat sale or private transfer of airguns as free without local confirmation.

Transport

Variable

Temporary introduction authorization also functions as transport and possession authorization for the approved period. Otherwise transport should be treated as controlled, cased, and documented.

Authority

National statute

National law; Ministry of Interior / provincial authority and security services administer introduction and possession controls.

Hunting with an airgun

Unresolved / likely not airgun-friendly.

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

6 kilogrammetres (about 59 J) muzzle energy: below is unregulated 5th category; rifled long guns above are 3rd category.

Caliber rule

No specific airgun caliber rule found.

Travel note

Prior authorization is the important concept. Madagascar is not a casual airgun import destination.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure

Persons wishing to introduce arms into Madagascar must apply for authorization; tourists staying under three months may receive temporary introduction authorization for third-category arms at arrival, but this does not serve as a hunting permit. Airgun treatment should be pre-cleared before travel.

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.