Weapons — Taiwan
What travelers need to know about weapons in Taiwan. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
Weapons in Taiwan: prohibited — what is legal at home can be a serious crime here.
Do not bring any gun into Taiwan - air guns, gas guns, pen guns and harpoon guns included - unless the Ministry of the Interior has already given you a permit. Having an unlicensed handgun or rifle means at least 5 years in prison; even an air gun carries 3 to 10 years. Controlled knives - samurai swords, cane swords, daggers, brass knuckles, steel whips and similar items - also need a permit, and carrying one at night, in a station, pier, airport or any public place is a crime punishable by up to 2 years.
Handguns, rifles, machine guns and similar without permission: possessing or storing - at least 5 years plus a possible fine up to NT$10 million; manufacturing, selling or transporting - life or at least 7 years plus a possible fine up to NT$30 million (Art. 7). Air guns, gas guns, pen guns, anaesthetic guns and hunting rifles: possessing - 3 to 10 years plus up to NT$7 million; manufacturing, selling or transporting - life or at least 5 years plus up to NT$10 million; the penalty may be reduced for minor air-gun cases (Art. 8). Possessing ammunition: up to 5 years plus up to NT$3 million (Art. 12). Controlled knives: possessing - up to 1 year, detention or a fine up to NT$500,000 (Art. 14); carrying without permission at night, in a station, pier, airport or public place, or in a group - up to 2 years (Art. 15).
§ Laws & Regulations Database of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Ministry of Justice - Firearms, Ammunition, and Knives Control Act, amended 2024-01-03, arts. 4, 5, 5-1, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15 (official English translation)Verified Sep 19, 2026