Dear GTA Member

This broadcast provides you with the highlights only of the new firearms licensing fees which will come into force on 4 June 2026 under the Firearms (Variation of Fees) Order 2026. For the full details please visit the Government website at Circular 001/2026: Firearms (Variation of Fees) order 2026 – GOV.UK The 2026 Order amends various sections of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988, to increase the fees charged by the police in respect of the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates (including coterminous grant and renewal), variation of firearm certificates, replacement of lost or destroyed certificates, registration as a firearms dealer and the grant of visitors’ permits.

From 4 June 2026, the new fees will be:

For coterminous grant or renewal applications there are four scenarios where the new fees apply. In all situations the fee is calculated using the fee for the firearms grant or renewal plus an additional amount for the shotgun grant or renewal. The scenarios are explained in more detail below:

• when an applicant is granted a shotgun certificate at the same time as being granted a firearms certificate, the total fee payable will be £208. The fee for the grant of a firearm certificate will be £204 and the fee for the grant of a shotgun certificate will be £4;
• when an applicant is granted a shotgun certificate at the same time as renewing a firearm certificate, the total fee payable will be £208. The fee for the renewal of a firearm certificate will be £135 and the fee for the grant of a shotgun certificate will be £73;
• when an applicant is renewing a shotgun certificate at the same time as being granted a firearm certificate, the total fee payable will be £208. The fee for the grant of a firearm certificate will be £204 and the fee for the renewal of a shotgun certificate will be £4; and
• when an applicant is renewing a shotgun certificate at the same time as renewing a firearms certificate, the total fee payable will be £160. The fee for a renewal of a firearm certificate will be £135 and the fee for the renewal of a shotgun certificate will be £25.

Firearms licensing applications received by the police on or after 4 June 2026 will incur the new fee. If an application and related payment has been received by the police on or before 3 June 2026, the police will honour the fee that has been paid. Applications to renew firearm and shotgun certificates should continue to be made within the usual timescales (please check the police force website for this information). Applicants should not apply ‘extra early’ in order to avoid paying the new fees. In these cases, the police may return applications and request that the new fee is paid. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has advised that most forces accept renewals up to four months before expiry date.

Police forces need to update related guidance and websites to reflect the new fees to be charged.

The fees charged by the Home Office or the Scottish Government in respect of Section 5 authorities, shooting club approvals and museum licences are not affected by the 2026 order and remain unchanged at present.

Best regards

Paul Green, Technical Director The Gun Trade Association

Dear GTA Member

Parcelforce Direct Debit Mandate Through recent communications with some of our smaller members, it has become apparent that certain direct debit mandates set up under the old HDMO system may not have transferred to the new Click & Drop system.

This issue has only just come to my attention. I do not recall Parcelforce highlighting it during the transition period. At this stage, I am unsure how widespread it may be. My understanding is that it is more likely to affect smaller Parcelforce customers rather than those shipping high volumes. To avoid any unexpected large invoices or the risk of your account being placed on stop, please ensure that your direct debit mandates are correctly set up and up-todate.

Below is the contact email to verify your DD mandate and to request an EDD if necessary. You will need your business name and account number to proceed.

parcelforce.onenetwork@parcelforce.co.uk Northern Ireland Shipments For GTA members who only ship small quantities of firearms to Northern Ireland, the Click & Drop system provides a convenient way to arrange these shipments. When placing an order and entering a Northern Ireland address, the software will recognise the postcode and prompt you to provide the required customs and excise information, as shown in the image below.

The information required is the same as under the previous HDMO system. As part of your preparation, please ensure you have the following to hand:

EORI numbers for both parties UKIMS number Commodity codes

Best regards

Paul Green, Technical Director The Gun Trade Association

Dear GTA Member

At a recent Council meeting, it was decided to reschedule the GTA Annual General Meeting, originally planned for 3 June, to a date later in the year.

We will be in touch in due course with further details. We apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause and thank you for your understanding.

Best regards

Paul Green, Technical Director

Dear GTA Member

We are pleased to share that we have negotiated an exclusive flash offer for members of the Gun Trade Association.

In partnership with Bisley Shooting Academy, Steelfoot Firearms & Ammunition is delivering a Critical Bleed Control Training Course designed specifically for those working within the shooting and wider rural industries. This practical, hands-on course focuses on managing life-threatening bleeding in situations where emergency services may be delayed.

To support this important initiative, GTA members can now access a 10% discount on course bookings. Discount code: GTA10 This training was recently featured in Gun Trade Insider, highlighting its relevance and value across the trade.

In addition, attendees will benefit from a 5% discount on Garmin sports and outdoor devices.

This course is highly relevant to firearms dealers, gamekeepers, stalkers, and anyone operating in rural or high-risk environments. The ability to act quickly in a critical bleed scenario can make a life-saving difference.

We encourage members to take advantage of this offer and support the continued development of essential safety skills within our industry.

For course information and booking please visit Steelfoot Training

With best wishes