No. Crossbows are classified as restricted weapons under China’s 2021 Regulations on the Administration of Arms, requiring special permits from the Ministry of Public Security. Private ownership is effectively banned except for designated hunting regions in Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia, where local public security bureaus may issue limited licenses. Unauthorized possession risks confiscation and criminal liability under Article 125 of the Criminal Law.
Key Regulations for Crossbows in China
- Permit Requirement: Issued exclusively by provincial-level public security bureaus; applications demand background checks and proof of legitimate purpose (e.g., professional hunting in approved zones).
- Regional Restrictions: Only permitted in Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia for hunting; transport across provincial borders voids authorization.
- Penalties: Unlicensed possession constitutes a “public security offense” under the Public Security Administration Punishments Law, punishable by fines up to ¥20,000 or administrative detention. Repeat violations may escalate to criminal charges under the Criminal Law.
Local enforcement prioritizes urban areas, where crossbows are treated as concealed weapons. The 2026 draft amendments to the Arms Law propose stricter penalties, including mandatory reporting of crossbow ownership to neighborhood committees. International travelers must declare crossbows at customs; failure to do so results in immediate confiscation and potential entry bans.