Exporting firearms from Australia

[R eight]

Find below the reply from DFAT to my querry re temporary export of a firearm to Zimbabwe by an Australian hunter:

Thank you for your email.



The Zimbabwe sanctions regime imposes an arms embargo. It is prohibited to directly or indirectly supply, sell or transfer arms or related matériel to Zimbabwe. Hence, travelling to Zimbabwe in possession of a firearm is prohibited.



You can find further information regarding Australian sanctions prohibitions on our website: Sanctions regimes | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au).



Permit applications under regulation 18

Regulation 18 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (Cth) provides that the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Minister) may grant a sanctions permit authorising an activity that would otherwise contravene Australian sanctions laws, if she is satisfied it would be ‘in the national interest’ to do so, and she is satisfied about any circumstance or matter required by Part 4 of the regulations to be considered for a particular kind of permit.

If you would like to apply for a sanctions permit authorising a particular activity, you will need to submit an application through PAX (Pax Home (dfat.gov.au)) and provide any information you believe may be relevant to satisfying the Minister that the activities covered by the permit would be ‘in the national interest’ and meet the requirements in Part 4 of the Regulations.

Please note, the ‘in the national interest’ test is a relatively high threshold to satisfy. Generally, the ‘in the national interest’ test requires the Minister to be satisfied that the grant of a permit is beneficial, or advantageous, to the national interest. ‘In the national interest’ requires a consideration of whether something is advantageous to the nation as a whole, as opposed to a particular company, group or section within the nation, or to a particular region or locality.

Please note, timeframes for processing applications vary depending on their complexity. On average, matters take at least 3 months to process once you have provided all the necessary information. However, where external consultation is required, assessments may take longer to complete.

Important information

Breaching Australian sanctions law can be a serious criminal offence. You should be aware that Australian sanctions laws may be amended regularly. Further information in relation to Australian sanctions laws can be found on our website: Australia and sanctions | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au).

We hope this information is of assistance.



Sincerely

Australian Sanctions Office

Interesting email. However, ABF not DFAT issue the permits.

 

[R eight]

I’d suggest that if you want to take a firearm to Zimbabwee then apply through the usual channel…. ABF.
They are the experts

When I see an actual application that is rejected by Border Force then I’ll be worried.

Until then….don’t unnecessarily rattle the cage ….the dog may bite.

 

[geoff rath]

The only option I can see is to seek a PH/Guide/Outfitter who will supply/hire you a suitable firearm. I'd hate be be a "southpaw" wanting to hunt in Zim...

 

[Rule 303]

If Australia has sanctions in place then we are screwed when it comes to hunting with our own rifles. To export one there permanently would I presume-don't know for sure - require more paper work than just taking one out and back.

I would put these questions via email to ABF email listed for your state. I would also check with your firearm registry as this may equate to them, of selling the rifle.

 

[GerardV]

Was there ever a definitive answer to the above? Can you temporarily export a rifle from Aus to Zim?

 

[Hunter4752001]

There was, see posts 18 & 20. Unfortunately some people didn't like the answer. Yes ABF may issue a permit to take a rifle out of and back into Australia. But that doesn't mean you don't commit an offence against the sanctions laws if you take the rifle into Zimbabwe nor does it give you a legal defence if you get charged.

Yes some people have done it and got away with it. The likelihood of being charged may be small, but you don't want to be the one who's unlucky. A conviction would mean cancellation of all your licences and confiscation of all your firearms.

Given the attitude of the current Government towards shooters and hunters, the only way to change this is to chuck the bastards out at both State & Federal level, replace them with someone more accommodating and then lobby to remove hunting weapons from the sanctions regime.

 

[Fordy]

Gday
I can vouch for this

There was, see posts 18 & 20. Unfortunately some people didn't like the answer. Yes ABF may issue a permit to take a rifle out of and back into Australia. But that doesn't mean you don't commit an offence against the sanctions laws if you take the rifle into Zimbabwe nor does it give you a legal defence if you get charged.

Yes some people have done it and got away with it. The likelihood of being charged may be small, but you don't want to be the one who's unlucky. A conviction would mean cancellation of all your licences and confiscation of all your firearms.

Given the attitude of the current Government towards shooters and hunters, the only way to change this is to chuck the bastards out at both State & Federal level, replace them with someone more accommodating and then lobby to remove hunting weapons from the sanctions regime.

I traveled to Zimbabwe in 2023 had everything sorted so I believed & on fronting up to our local abf office in Tasmania who the officer on checking the airline tickets that went to Bulawayo, informed me that the sanctions were in place so no rgp would be issued , let me tell you
Wow that’s no fun a week out lol

Now the officer also informed me potentially I could get a exemption through our department of defence but on ringing them it was explained that not enough time was left to get a permit issued & needed to go through a formal application which would likely be not approved anyway

Also maybe of interest to some
The department of defence people were very helpful & on various trips to Africa since , I’ve not had an issue getting a permit for my 500 Jeffery as the rgp dosent cover .510 cals & above
So one must be careful imo extremely careful as not worth loosing a license over
Cheers

 

[JPbowhunter]

Didn’t @Aussie_Hunter travel to Zim last year on a buffalo hunt with his own rifles?

 

[R eight]

DoD approval is obtained by ABF when you submit your application.

Now, I don’t work in ABF or DoD or DFAT. However, I have enough experience with government agencies to know that not everyone who works for them is up to speed with their policies. So, with that caveat in place, I’d suggest that the written policy should be fairly accurate.

DFAT don’t issue the permits, ABF in consultation with DoD do.

https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/firearms/restricted-goods-permit

 

[GerardV]

DoD approval is obtained by ABF when you submit your application.

Now, I don’t work in ABF or DoD or DFAT. However, I have enough experience with government agencies to know that not everyone who works for them is up to speed with their policies. So, with that caveat in place, I’d suggest that the written policy should be fairly accurate.

DFAT don’t issue the permits, ABF in consultation with DoD do.

https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/firearms/restricted-goods-permit

The page also states the following:

RGPs are not applicable for the export of firearms under any of the following circumstances:

• firearms going to a destination that is subject to Australian legislation that implements:
  
  • a United Nations Security Council Sanction
  • an Australian Autonomous Sanction

As Zimbabwe is subject to Australian autonomous sanctions, a sanctions permit is required, which is issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (not DoD). This implies that you would have to apply for this separately to getting a RGP through the ABF?

 

[R eight]

The page also states the following:

RGPs are not applicable for the export of firearms under any of the following circumstances:

• firearms going to a destination that is subject to Australian legislation that implements:
  
  • a United Nations Security Council Sanction
  • an Australian Autonomous Sanction

As Zimbabwe is subject to Australian autonomous sanctions, a sanctions permit is required, which is issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs (not DoD). This implies that you would have to apply for this separately to getting a RGP through the ABF?

Nah. I really don’t think so. Would apply if selling, or supplying military equipment but not for the temporary import of sporting firearms.
I seriously doubt that ABF and DoD would both make such a major stuff up. There would be dozens of RPG’s issued for sporting fires to go to Zim from Oz annually.

 

[Mark R]

Nah. I really don’t think so. Would apply if selling, or supplying military equipment but not for the temporary import of sporting firearms.
I seriously doubt that ABF and DoD would both make such a major stuff up. There would be dozens of RPG’s issued for sporting fires to go to Zim from Oz annually.

Yes it includes temporary imports. I had to dodge this in 2022.

 

[GerardV]

Yes it includes temporary imports. I had to dodge this in 2022.

Did you manage to get a sanctions permit approved, or did you use a rental rifle?

 

[Mark R]

Did you manage to get a sanctions permit approved, or did you use a rental rifle?

No approved sanctions permit.

 

[R eight]

No approved sanctions permit.

Did ABF apply on your behalf?

 

[Mark R]

I never applied for a permit to take a rifle to Zim on the above info. Took it to RSA instead.