No. Nunchucks are classified as dangerous weapons under Peru’s Ley N° 30055 (2013) and Decreto Supremo N° 006-2017-IN (2017), which prohibit their manufacture, import, sale, or public possession without special authorization from the Ministerio del Interior (MININTER). Unlicensed possession risks confiscation, fines up to 18 UIT (S/ 9,180 in 2024), or criminal charges under Código Penal Art. 205 for illegal arms trafficking. Tourists face heightened scrutiny at customs, particularly in Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport, where authorities enforce strict controls ahead of the 2026 Copa América security protocols.
Key Regulations for Nunchucks in Peru
- Prohibited Status: Nunchucks are explicitly listed as “prohibited implements” under DS N° 006-2017-IN, alongside brass knuckles and butterfly knives. Civilian ownership is banned unless granted a permiso excepcional for martial arts practitioners, which requires affiliation with a registered federación deportiva nacional and MININTER approval.
- Penalties: Unauthorized possession triggers administrative sanctions (confiscation, fines) and potential criminal liability under Art. 205 of the Penal Code, punishable by 4–8 years’ imprisonment if deemed intent to distribute or use in violent acts.
- Customs Enforcement: The Superintendencia Nacional de Aduanas y de Administración Tributaria (SUNAT) collaborates with MININTER to inspect luggage at ports of entry. Since 2023, X-ray scanners at major airports flag “edged weapons,” leading to mandatory declarations and potential legal action for undeclared nunchucks.