Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in New Caledonia?

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 — permit-free band for low-power, licence required above.

The picture at a glance

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

ClassificationUnclear

Age rule18+

PossessionVariable

Transfer / saleVariable

TransportVariable

AuthorityUnclear

Before you buy or sell

Import/export of arms remains prohibited unless authorized.
Local gun-registration reforms are active after civil unrest.
Confirm the local category treatment for airguns before publication.

The rules in detail

Classification

Unclear

New Caledonia applies French/Nouvelle-Calédonie weapons rules. Local customs and High Commission guidance states that import/export of arms, ammunition, and their elements remains prohibited unless authorized. Air/spring/gas guns are identifiable under tariff heading 9304.

Age rule

18+

18+ practical adult baseline; French-style Category D/C airgun treatment should be confirmed locally before publication.

Possession

Variable

French-style airgun rules likely apply, with lower-power airguns easier to possess and higher-power airguns subject to declaration/authorization. New Caledonia is actively tightening firearms/weapon registration controls, so local High Commission guidance controls.

Transfer / sale

Variable

Acquisition and possession rules are administered through the High Commission. Sellers/possessors of weapons must declare weapons; authorizations are mandatory for certain categories.

Transport

Variable

Transport cased, unloaded, and with all required permits/licences. Airlines require required permits/licences and prior reservation for sporting/hunting weapons.

Authority

Unclear

French national weapons code provisions as adapted to New Caledonia; High Commission of the Republic in New Caledonia handles import/export authorization.

Hunting with an airgun

Unresolved / likely category-and-permit dependent.

Deer

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Turkey

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Small game

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Predators

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Other big game

Unresolved / not addressed

—

Import & travel

Energy threshold

Likely French-style 20 J boundary between over-the-counter lower-power airguns and declared/controlled higher-power airguns; confirm local application.

Caliber rule

No specific local airgun caliber rule found; French category treatment is primarily power/category based.

Travel note

New Caledonia is not just 'France overseas' for logistics. Import authorization is handled locally through the High Commission.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure

Import/export of arms, ammunition, and their elements remains prohibited unless authorized. AIMG import authorization requests must go to the High Commission of the Republic in New Caledonia; contact the High Commission before travel with any airgun.

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, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules vary, so verify the current rules with the relevant authority before buying, selling, or hunting.