No. Paintball guns are classified as restricted projectile weapons under China’s 2021 Regulations on the Administration of Public Security Equipment, requiring special permits for public use. Local Public Security Bureaus (PSBs) enforce strict licensing, and unauthorized possession or discharge in public spaces may result in confiscation or criminal liability under the Criminal Law (Article 128).
Key Regulations for Paintball Guns in Public in China
- Permit Mandate: Public use demands a Special Equipment Operation License from the local PSB, per the Measures for the Administration of Public Security Equipment (2021 Revision). Unlicensed carry risks administrative penalties or detention.
- Prohibited Areas: Discharge is banned in urban parks, streets, and residential zones, as outlined in provincial-level Public Order Regulations (e.g., Beijing’s 2023 Public Security Management Punishment Law). Violations trigger fines up to ¥5,000 or 15-day detention.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) is drafting stricter standards for “simulated firearms,” requiring mandatory RFID tracking for paintball markers sold after 2026 to curb illegal use.
Enforcement varies by municipality; Shanghai’s PSB, for instance, conducts quarterly inspections of commercial paintball venues, while rural areas often lack dedicated oversight. Importation requires dual approval from the General Administration of Customs and PSB, with paintball guns classified under HS Code 9304.0000 as “other firearms.”