Act on Safety Management of Guns, Swords, Explosives, etc.
Import Approval (Defense Industry Items)
The Act on Safety Management of Firearms, Swords, Explosives, etc. (Firearms and Explosives Act) aims to manage the import/export of firearms, swords, explosives, etc. through a permit system to prevent safety accidents and crimes and maintain public safety. Subjects who can perform import/export operations are strictly limited by law.
Applicable Subjects
Only manufacturers, sellers, or rental businesses of firearms, swords, explosives, spray devices, electronic shock devices, and crossbows may receive import/export permits.
Examples of Target Items
Firearms: Pistols, rifles, shotguns, air guns, industrial nail guns, gas-launching guns, etc.
Swords: Knives, swords, spears with blades 15cm or longer, or jackknives, beak knives with clear danger of use as weapons even if under 15cm
Explosives: Black powder, dynamite, live ammunition, blank cartridges, detonators, fireworks, etc.
Others: Spray devices, electronic shock devices, crossbows
Legal Basis
Article 9(1) and (2): Specifies that firearms and explosives require permits from the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, other items from metropolitan/provincial police agency commissioners
Article 9(3): Specifies that import/export is not possible in principle unless one is a manufacturer, seller, or rental business operator