What many people don't realise is that you need documentation to bring a Firearm into and out of Australia.

In April this year I took my 7x57 to NZ for red Deer and spent some time in Brisbane airport customs, talking to the staff there. They stated that many hunters come into the country but fail to have the proper paper work to get out with their rifles.

This is what I have been able to collect and to the best of my knowledge is correct at this time.

Here is the process (as at todays date) for bringing your own rifles into Australia, AND FOR GETTING THEM OUT.

To enter Queensland you have to communicate with the Qld Police. For NSW, the NSW Police.

QLD WEAPONS LICENSING BRANCH ADMINISTRATION BRANCH
46 Charlotte Street, BRISBANE 4000
GPO Box 892, BRISBANE 4001
TELEPHONE (07) 3015 7777 FACSIMILE (07) 3015 7788

Information sheet
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/weaponsLicensing/visit/

Visiting Queensland
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/weaponsLicensing/visit/default.htm

B709A Application:
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/programs/weaponsLicensing/documents/ImportPermit.pdf

Visitors Permit:
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/programs/weaponsLicensing/documents/visitors.pdf

For New South Wales:
P.645 Form Application for International (Temporary) Visitors Permit.
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/asse..._Permit_1.3.pdf

B709 Application to get a B709A
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/139865/FORM_CUSTOMS_B709_APPLICATION.pdf

To take your rifles with you when you leave Australia you must comply with Federal Customs and Dept. of Defence regulations.

Information Sheet
http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ImportingCatA-BFirearms.pdf

FIREARMS IMPORT
To bring a firearm into Australia, it is necessary for the importer to obtain a 'Form B709A: Importation of Firearms - Police Confirmation' from the Police Service of the state of Australia that the firearm will be imported into. Visit this link for a list of contacts for the police in each state. The link also supplies all the relevant fact sheets outlining the requirements for importation

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4372.asp

EXPORTING WEAPONS
To export a firearm or weapon from Australia you will need to obtain the following:

- an application for a Restricted Goods Export Permit (RGP)
http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/formDEC07.pdf

- an Export Declaration form (B957) and a form for Registering as a client in the Integrated Cargo System (B319) can both be found at http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4288.asp

When authorisation is given by Customs to export the firearm/s, you will be issued with a Restricted Goods Permit (RGP) and Export Declaration Number (EDN). You will be required to export the firearm within 28 days from the date of authorisation, otherwise you will have to apply for a new RGP. Note that all of this documentation must be processed and completed and returned to Australian Customs and Border Protection prior to your departure for overseas. This may take two weeks or more so you are advised to leave yourself ample time.

On the day of your departure please attend the Customs Office, at your point of departure and well prior to check-in. You will need to present your firearm/s to Customs and Border Protection, along with the RGP, EDN, the Firearms Licence and the Firearm Registration (in the case where someone is exporting a firearm that is registered to another shooter they must also show written authority from the registered owner giving their permission for the export of the firearm) and your Shooter?s Licence.