On the movement of sporting pneumatic weapons across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union by individuals

In connection with the appeals received by the Vitebsk Customs from individuals regarding the movement of sports pneumatic rifles across the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union (hereinafter referred to as the Union), we inform you that many mistakenly consider such goods to be a harmless "toy". However, this is not the case. From a legal standpoint, pneumatic weapons are clearly divided into categories, and violation of the rules for their movement can lead to administrative liability.

Below, we will consider the main aspects of the movement of sports pneumatic rifles and similar items by individuals as goods for personal use.

According to section 2.22 of Annex No. 2 to the Decision of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission of April 21, 2015 No. 30 "On non-tariff regulation measures" (hereinafter referred to as Decision No. 30), sports pneumatic rifles, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers with a muzzle energy of more than 3 joules are classified as service and civilian weapons (hereinafter referred to as sports pneumatic weapons), for which a permit procedure for movement across the customs border of the Union is established.

The import and (or) export of sports pneumatic weapons must be carried out in accordance with the provisions specified in Annex No. 17 to Decision No. 30, upon presentation of a conclusion (permit document), which in the Republic of Belarus is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the internal affairs departments of regional executive committees, or the main internal affairs department of the Minsk City Executive Committee.

Thus, the import into the customs territory of the Union or export from its territory of sports pneumatic rifles, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers with a muzzle energy of 3 joules or less is possible without a conclusion (permit document).

Taking the above into account, it is important for individuals to know that sports pneumatic weapons transported as goods for personal use are subject to mandatory customs declaration using a passenger customs declaration and with the provision of a conclusion (permit document). In this case, the import or export of sports pneumatic rifles, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers with a muzzle energy of 3 joules or less from the customs territory of the Union is possible without a conclusion (permit document) upon presentation of the product's passport, operating instructions, or other documents confirming its operating principle and muzzle energy in joules to the customs authority.

We also draw your attention to the fact that in accordance with the decision of the EEC Board dated 28.05.2024 No. 62 "On the list of goods not subject to forwarding in international postal items," sports pneumatic weapons (their parts), cartridges for them (their parts), as well as products structurally similar to such weapons, with the exception of household goods, are prohibited from being forwarded in international postal items.   

Based on materials from the Vitebsk Customs