1967PF44
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- Nov 15, 2020
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Parcelforce and Royal Mail have updated their prohibited items list and it has a significant impact on posting Airsoft guns. Despite repeated requests, parcel force have added a reference to paintball guns but not “Airsoft guns”, so we are left to assume that they will be treated as imitation firearms. They are no longer specifically treated as “low powered air guns” which refers exclusively to those non FAC air weapons under 12ft/lbs and 6ft/lbs (pistols) of muzzle pressure. (As defined in the firearms Act, 1968)
This change has massive implications and this is what parcel force worldwide PFW now state ……. (Read on to the end for Royal Mail update)
As of 19 January 2026; the below prohibitions and restriction apply when sending firearms.
ROYAL MAIL - their conditions and prohibited goods advice relating to the term that “GUNS FOR SPORTING USE” remains broadly unchanged, however now creates a conflict with the parcel force rules where they say packages exceeding the RM size limits can be sent via PF48, Royal Mail continue to refer to Airsoft guns as low powered airweapons, they make no reference to the legal definition in the 1968 Act
See below (interesting thing is that they now low international shipping - this is very new !
This is for information only, the quotes are straight from the current RM/PFW website, I have raised the conflicting advice with them, and asked once more for a specific mention of Airsoft guns.
I have also today had a long chat with the dangerous goods team, and clarified that the advice remains the same about shipping gas magazines. They suggest that any gas pistols, rifles and magazines are marked “NO AIR UPLIFT” which they explain reduces the likelihood of interception at an airport scanning centre.
This change has massive implications and this is what parcel force worldwide PFW now state ……. (Read on to the end for Royal Mail update)
As of 19 January 2026; the below prohibitions and restriction apply when sending firearms.
- International destinations - Not allowed in the mail
- UK destinations - Allowed in the mail, with restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
- Collections and deliveries of section 1 and 2 firearms will only be accepted where it can be shown to Parcelforce Worldwide’s satisfaction that both the sender and the recipient are Registered Firearms Dealers.
- Imitation firearms, de-activated firearms, antique firearms and paintball guns can be sent to a home address, subject to compliance with UK law.
- Section 1 and Section 2 firearms, low-powered airguns, imitation firearms, antique firearms, and paintball guns may be permitted on expressAMF and expressAMF Weekend only and the label clearly showing ‘do not fly’. Extended delivery times are applicable for some postcodes, please visit Extended Delivery Times for more details.
- Customers may only despatch low powered air weapons for the purpose of repair, in accordance with UK law.
- Parcelforce Worldwide reserve the right that if any item is sent on the incorrect service, or does not include the correct labelling, or is a prohibited / restricted item then a charge of £20 will be levied in addition to the carriage charge and returned to the sending customer.
- All firearms must be clearly labelled ‘Address Only’
ROYAL MAIL - their conditions and prohibited goods advice relating to the term that “GUNS FOR SPORTING USE” remains broadly unchanged, however now creates a conflict with the parcel force rules where they say packages exceeding the RM size limits can be sent via PF48, Royal Mail continue to refer to Airsoft guns as low powered airweapons, they make no reference to the legal definition in the 1968 Act
See below (interesting thing is that they now low international shipping - this is very new !
Guns for sporting use
Royal Mail only- International - Allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
- Guns intended for sporting purposes - including Section 1 and Section 2 firearms, low-powered air guns and their component parts - may be sent in compliance with UK law and subject to applicable export controls on the shipment of firearms.
- Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays.
- Guns must not be loaded.
- Air weapons with an integral gas cylinder that are de-pressurised can only be accepted. Air weapons with gas cylinders that are pressurised are prohibited
- Air weapons with a pressurised removable gas cylinder which is still attached are prohibited
- Sender's name and address must be visible on the parcel.
- Must be packed in rigid outer packaging suitable for the gun size and weight, for example a fibreboard box, with sufficient inner packaging to prevent movement during transport.
- UK - Allowed in the mail, see restrictions and packaging guidelines below:
- Guns intended for sporting purposes - including Section 1 (e.g. hunting rifles) and Section 2 (e.g. shotguns) firearms, low-powered air weapons and their component parts - may be sent in compliance with UK law and subject to domestic controls on the possession of firearms. Antiques, deactivated and imitation firearms are also permitted. When sending deactivated firearms include proof of deactivation.
- Items that appear to be prohibited weapons may be subject to additional checks and delays.
- Use 1st Class as the minimum service.The senders name and address must be clear on the packaging. Low-powered air weapons which exceed the Royal Mail size restrictions are accepted by Parcelforce Worldwide, using express48 via the Post Office.
- Guns must not be loaded.
- Air weapons with an integral gas cylinder that are de-pressurised can only be accepted. Air weapons with gas cylinders that are pressurised are prohibited
- Air weapons with a pressurised removable gas cylinder which is still attached are prohibited (Author note -THIS INCLUDES GAS MAGAZINES)
- Must be packed in rigid outer packaging suitable for the gun size and weight, for example a fibreboard box, with sufficient inner packaging to prevent movement during transport.
This is for information only, the quotes are straight from the current RM/PFW website, I have raised the conflicting advice with them, and asked once more for a specific mention of Airsoft guns.
I have also today had a long chat with the dangerous goods team, and clarified that the advice remains the same about shipping gas magazines. They suggest that any gas pistols, rifles and magazines are marked “NO AIR UPLIFT” which they explain reduces the likelihood of interception at an airport scanning centre.
