North America
United States: Gel blasters are generally legal, but regulations vary by state, with specific restrictions in urban areas.
Canada: Generally considered toys and legal, but local laws may impose restrictions on public use.
Europe
United Kingdom: Legal if under energy limits: max 1.3 joules (about 375 FPS) for automatic models, 2.5 joules (about 520 FPS) for single-shot models; must be transported concealed.
Finland: Legal with concealed transport and parental permission for those under 18.
France: Legal if not exceeding 464 FPS (about 2 joules); higher models require licensing.
Germany: Legal below 230 FPS. Otherwise, it’s classified as a firearm with age restrictions and licenses.
Italy: Legal for models shooting at or below 1 joule (approximately 330 FPS). You must conceal it while you’re transporting it.
Poland: Legal if the kinetic energy does not exceed 17 joules (about 1350 FPS).
Czech Republic: Legal for anyone over 18 without licenses. You must conceal it while you’re transporting it.
Norway: Legal for anyone over 18 to purchase. Younger individuals can use it with parental permission.
Hungary: Legal for anyone over 18 without restrictions.
Serbia: Legal for anyone over 16 years old to purchase and use gel blasters.
Oceania
Australia: Legal in Queensland with regulations. Some states like South Australia allow them under conditions, while others like New South Wales and Victoria have banned them.
Asia
Japan: Legal with a limit of 3.5 joules/cm² (about 330 FPS).
United Arab Emirates: Legal but requires concealed transport and permits for importation.
South America
Chile: Legal for anyone over 18, but you should keep it out of sight in public areas.
Now that we’ve covered which countries allow the use of toy gel blaster guns, it’s crucial to understand the varying regulations surrounding their importation. Let’s take a deeper dive into countries and regions where the import of these toys faces restrictions or is outright prohibited.
Table of Contents
How popular are toy guns?
Are you curious about the popularity of toy guns? Growing trends in entertainment and outdoor activities have boosted demand, making toy guns a hit among kids and adults alike.
The global toy gun market, valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 3.8 billion by 2032, driven by a 7.3% annual growth rate. Popular types like Nerf guns and outdoor activities such as laser tag and paintball contribute to this increasing demand.
Which countries or regions prohibit the import of gel blasters?
Are you wondering where you can legally import gel blasters? Importing them into restricted areas can result in heavy fines or even getting your gel blasters confiscated. It’s important to know the rules so you don’t get in trouble.
Australia (Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia), China, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia all have laws banning or heavily regulating the import of gel blasters due to safety concerns.
Are gel blasters legal in Canada?
In Canada, gel blasters are usually considered replica firearms, which are restricted under the Criminal Code. The introduction of Bill C-12 has made the laws about firearms and replicas even tighter, and it may soon be almost impossible to buy or import gel blasters. While enforcement is different in each province, using them in public can attract the attention of law enforcement, even if it’s not technically illegal to own them in your house.
Are gel blasters banned in UK?
Do you want to know if gel blasters are illegal in the UK? If you don’t know the law, you can get in big trouble.
In the UK, they’re called imitation firearms and they’re regulated by the Firearms Act 1968. They’re not really banned, but there are a lot of rules about them. They need to be painted bright colors or have bright markings so they don’t look like real guns. If you get caught with one or using one and you don’t have the right permission, you can go to jail or get a big fine. If you use one in the street, the police are going to come and talk to you.
Can I import a gel blaster?
Do you want to know if you can buy a gel blaster and have it shipped to you? Different countries have different laws about these things because they look like guns. You need to know the laws in your country so you don’t get in trouble.
Canada: It’s hard to get them into Canada because they might be considered to be a replica firearm, and then the customs people will take them away from you. You should talk to a lawyer who knows about these things or do a lot of research.
United Kingdom: They need to be painted 50% two-tone (like blaze orange or dark blue) so they don’t look like real guns.
Australia: They’re really strict about these things, and you need a permit called a B709A Police Confirmation in some states, like Queensland. If you don’t do it right, they’ll take it away from you.
Are gel blasters legal in Europe?
Are you wondering if gel blasters are legal in Europe? Laws vary across countries, so it’s important to understand the specific regulations before purchasing or using one.
United Kingdom: Gel blasters are legal, but they must not resemble real firearms and must comply with power limits.
Germany: Legal if the muzzle velocity is 230 FPS or lower. Higher speeds classify them as firearms, requiring a license.
Belgium: Legal, with restrictions on certain models and power levels.
Netherlands: Legal under airsoft regulations, with no specific prohibitions if compliant.
France: Legal but subject to restrictions on power and design. Local laws should be checked.
What are the specific import requirements for gel blasters?
Are you confused about all the different import requirements for gel blasters? It’s important to follow the rules, but it can be tough to figure out what you need to do to import them legally. Get the basics down for key markets like Australia, the UK, and the US to make importing easy.
Different countries have different rules for importing gel blasters. For example, Australia requires a B709A Police Confirmation, the UK requires two-tone coloring or an airsoft license, Canada considers realistic gel blasters to be replica firearms and often seizes them, and the US requires orange tips and follows state-specific regulations.
Do I need a permit to import gel blasters in Australia?
Are you unsure whether you need a permit to import gel blasters? Without the correct paperwork, customs can seize your products, leading to costly delays. You need to know the import laws in your area so you don’t get in trouble and so you can get your products through customs.
In Australia, even though gel blasters are toys, they are subject to the B709A Police Confirmation and Certification. This is required to import gel blasters. This is the case even though they are toys. The rules may be different in your state, so you need to know. If you don’t have the necessary permits, customs will seize your products.
In Summary
Toy gel blasters are subject to a variety of legal restrictions, which differ significantly between countries and regions. It is essential to stay updated on the relevant laws, especially if you plan to import these toys. By understanding and following the rules, you can avoid fines, confiscations, or legal issues.
Corleone Du
Hi, I’m Corleone, the marketing manager of Deb Toys. I’ve been in the toy industry since 2018, helping 300+ clients source toys from China. I’ll be regularly sharing my industry knowledge to help you gain an advantage in future market competition.
Corleone Du
Hi, I’m Corleone, the marketing manager of Deb Toys. I’ve been in the toy industry since 2018, helping 300+ clients source toys from China. I’ll be regularly sharing my industry knowledge to help you gain an advantage in future market competition.
