Can You Send a Paintball Gun in the Mail?

Mailing is tricky, and it’s especially complicated when shipping something as delicate as a paintball gun. Also, it’s confusing because it has the word “gun” in it, and shipping guns are illegal.

But it’s not impossible. All you need is a little guide on how to go about it legally. You may also like a few tips on how to pack and ship a paintball gun to avoid any harm in the transit.

So, allow us to walk you through it now. Let’s go!

Table of Contents

Can you Send a Paintball Gun in the Mail?
What to do before sending a Paintball Gun in the Mail?
Why Don’t Some Countries Allow you to Send a Paintball Gun in the Mail?
Countries that Do and Don’t Allow Sending a Paintball Gun in the Mail
How to Pack and Send a Paintball Gun in the Mail?
A Few Tips to Observe while Sending a Paintball Gun in the Mail
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you Send a Paintball Gun in the Mail?

We all know that it’s illegal to ship guns. So, you might have found yourself wondering whether it’s illegal to send a paintball gun in the mail. Let us assure you that it’s totally fine to ship a paintball gun.

The only type of gun that’s illegal is firearms. And though a paintball gun has the word “gun” in it, it’s not a firearm, right? Hence, that shipping regulation doesn’t apply here. So, you can send a paintball gun in the mail.
There are certain exceptions, though.

Firstly, not all shipping companies allow shipping paintball guns.
And second, certain countries have shipping restrictions on paintball guns.

So, you need to check these two boxes first if you want to send a paintball gun in the mail.

What to do before sending a Paintball Gun in the Mail?

You must confirm a few things before you decide to send a paintball gun in the mail. Let’s have a look at them one by one:

Things to know before sending a Paintball Gun in the Mail?

Check if it’s illegal to import paintball guns into the destination country.
Find out if there are any custom restrictions on paintball guns at the delivery destination.
Check if there are any legal documents, paperwork, or permits required for shipping a paintball gun.
See whether there is any additional fees, border taxes, or customs charge related to a paintball gun.
Check whether the shipping company you are hoping to go with allows shipping paintball guns.
If possible, find out any reason why shipping paintball guns aren’t allowed and see if there’s any way to counter that.

Why Don’t Some Countries Allow you to Send a Paintball Gun in the Mail?

There can be several reasons why certain countries don’t allow you to send a paintball gun in the mail. Here are a few such reasons:

In certain countries, paintball gun falls under “imitation firearms”, and hence the rules applicable to firearms also apply to paintball guns.
Paintball guns are considered dangerous weapons in some countries, and they are listed along with the category of weapons.
Some countries classify paintball guns as “weapons”, and the hence the restrictions that apply to weapons also apply here.
There had been some past consequences of allowing the shipment of paintball guns in the country, so they have either restricted or completely stopped the import or export of paintball guns.

Countries that Do and Don’t Allow Sending a Paintball Gun in the Mail

Here is a list of countries that do and don’t allow sending a paintball gun in the mail. Have a look at them before you decide to ship a paintball gun there.

Countries that Do allow:

India.
New York City.
China.
Finland.
Germany.
Japan.
New Zealand.

Countries that Don’t allow:

Amsterdam.
Denmark.
Brazil.
France.
Belgium.
Ireland.
Malaysia.
California.
Russia.The
United Kingdom.
New Jersey.

Countries that follow Strict Rules before Allowing:

Australia.
Canada.
Greece.
Israel.
Norway.
Switzerland.

If the country you wish to send a paintball gun to isn’t on the list, you must check with the shipping agent before mailing it there.

How to Pack and Send a Paintball Gun in the Mail?

After you decide to send a paintball gun in the mail, you must know how to pack and ship it safely. Here is the step-by-step process to guide you through it:

Step 1: Retain the original packaging that the paintball gun came in.
Step 2: Wrap the box over with sufficient packing materials.
Step 3: Put it in another box in a way that prevents shifting.
Step 4: Seal the box.
However, if the original package is lost or damaged, you may have to pack it separately.
Step 1: Remove the barrel from the paintball gun.
Step 2: Wrap each part of the paintball gun separately using bubble wraps or similar packing material.
Step 3: Put each spare part in separate Ziploc bags before placing them in a shipping box.
Step 4: Get a sturdy shipping box to put all the wrapped parts.
Step 5: Place the items right at the center of the shipping box.
Step 6: To ensure that they stay at the center, fill the top, bottom, and sides of the box with plenty of bubble wraps, crumbled papers, and packing peanuts.
Step 6: Shut the shipping box and seal it with packing tape.
Step 7: Put the appropriate label with the correct address.

A Few Tips to Observe while Sending a Paintball Gun in the Mail

Here are a few tips to observe while sending a paintball gun in the mail:

Ensure that the shipping company and destination country allows it.
Remember to follow every step while safely packing the paintball.
Try not to use the word “gun” on the shipping label or anywhere in the package to avoid confusion or legal issues.
Mail a paintball gun that is emptied of all paintballs. Otherwise, it will be marked illegal for shipping.
Disconnect the propellant source on the paintball marker before shipping to avoid legal issues.
Always store the paintball in a closed container and bubble wrap the gun separately while shipping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about sending paintball guns in the mail. Have a look at them before you go.

1. Is it illegal to own a paintball gun?

A: Paintball gun doesn’t fall under firearms, and hence it’s not illegal to use them. However, they are still categorized as “weapons”, so there might be certain legal restrictions for owning them.

For instance, some countries or states may have specific laws of ownership or certain legal regulations regarding the use, sale, or transportation of a paintball gun.

2. How painful is paintballing?

A: Paintballing isn’t too painful but feels like a slight sling or firm flick. The pain usually fades within a few minutes. However, sometimes paintball can cause little welts and bruises.

The intensity of the pain depends on certain factors like the speed of the ball and the distance it travels and on which part of the body it hits. So, it’s very important to be careful while using a paintball, even though you feel that the pain is quite insignificant.

3. Can you be arrested for using a paintball?

A: Paintballs aren’t illegal per se, so you won’t probably get arrested for using them. But you must be above 18 years to be allowed to use it.

Also, you aren’t supposed to use it for any unlawful purpose, of course. Plus, there might be certain other rules of using a paintball gun specific to your country, which you must abide by. Otherwise, you might end up in trouble, if not in jail.

4. Can you travel with a paintball gun?

A: Paintball guns aren’t considered firearms or weapons that can cause transportation hazards. So, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) allows you to travel with a paintball gun. You don’t usually need to fill out any paperwork or use any special kind of packaging to travel with it. However, it might not be allowed inside your carry-on luggage while traveling on a plane.

5. Can you use a paintball gun for self-defense?

A: Many people might not know this, but paintball guns can be used for self-defense too. It’s one of those legal purposes for which you can use a paintball gun. There are specially designed paintball guns, too, dedicated to safeguarding you, your home or property, and your loved ones from possible threats. But you still need to be careful while using it, even if it’s for self-defense.

Conclusion:

There is no simple answer to the question: Can you send a paintball gun in the mail? The response would be a yes, with a few conditions. So, if you can follow all the rules related to shipping a paintball gun and observe the safety measures while shipping it, you are free to send a paintball gun in the mail.