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Airgun law · World

Are Airguns Legal in Ukraine?

Yes, but heavily regulated.

Legal in principle, but the compliance burden is high, often with firearm-grade steps for the airguns most people want.

Tier 2: Major Restrictions

Full firearms-licence regime for the airguns most enthusiasts would actually buy.

UA

The picture at a glance

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

ClassificationThreshold-based
Age rule18+
PossessionTiered (below threshold free)
Transfer / saleVariable
TransportCased
AuthorityNational statute
Before you buy or sell
  • Active armed conflict. Defer non-essential travel.

The rules in detail

Classification
Threshold-based
MVS Order No. 622 (1998 Instruction, current redaction 19 Jul 2024): a permit is needed only for airguns with calibre over 4.5 mm AND muzzle velocity over 100 m/s (cl. 1.3, 8.10). An airgun that does not exceed both (e.g. any 4.5 mm/.177 gun, or a larger calibre at 100 m/s or less) is sold without a permit. No civilian weapons statute has been enacted: draft law No. 5708 is still awaiting second reading.
Age rule
18+
18+ to buy permit-class airguns (over 4.5 mm and over 100 m/s), for Ukrainian citizens and permanent residents (MVS Instruction No. 622, cl. 12.1). The Instruction sets no age for permit-free airguns; retailers treat 18 as the minimum in practice.
Possession
Tiered (below threshold free)
Tiered. Unified Register of Weapons operational since June 2023.
Transfer / sale
Variable
Airguns at or below 4.5 mm, or larger ones at 100 m/s or less: sold without a permit. Permit-class airguns (over 4.5 mm and over 100 m/s): through the weapons registry.
Transport
Cased
Cased.
Authority
National statute
National statute.

Hunting with an airgun

Verify with Ukrainian wildlife authorities.

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
Permit only if BOTH >4.5 mm calibre AND >100 m/s
Caliber rule
Permit-free unless the gun exceeds both 4.5 mm calibre and 100 m/s.
Travel note
Active conflict. Non-essential travel is discouraged.

Local & import notes

Visitor procedure
Following the 2022 invasion, civilian gun laws were loosened for national security; the airgun framework is unchanged. Active conflict: confirm any travel with current advisories.

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.