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UKARA Approved

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026
UKARA & RIF DEFENCE
WHAT UKARA IS. HOW IT WORKS. HOW JD VERIFIES IT.
If you want to buy a realistic airsoft gun in the UK, UKARA is the most common way for an airsoft player to help a retailer verify their skirmishing defence. Here is the simple version.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
UKARA IS NOT A LICENCE.
UKARA stands for United Kingdom Airsoft Retailers Association.

It operates an industry verification database containing participating airsoft players and registered game sites.

Retailers such as JD can use that information to help verify that a customer purchasing a Realistic Imitation Firearm, commonly called a RIF, is an established airsoft skirmisher.

UKARA is not a firearms licence, it is not issued by the Government and it does not give somebody a general right to buy, carry or use a firearm.
PLAYER REGISTRATION
HOW DO I GET UKARA?
STEP 1
BE 18+
You must be over 18 years old and live in the UK.
STEP 2
PLAY 3 GAMES
Play three qualifying games at the same UKARA registered game site.
STEP 3
WAIT 56+ DAYS
Your third qualifying game must take place 56 days or more after your first.
STEP 4
GET VERIFIED
Your registered game site verifies your details and processes or validates your player registration.
CURRENT UKARA REQUIREMENTS
THREE GAMES. SAME SITE. MINIMUM TWO MONTHS.
UKARA currently states that player registration requires three games at the same UKARA registered site over a minimum period of two months, with the third game taking place 56 days or more after the first.

You must also be over 18, live within the UK and provide suitable identification.

UKARA player registration itself is free, although your game site may charge its normal game or membership fees.
GOOD TO KNOW
56 DAYS - NOT 60 DAYS.
Older airsoft guides sometimes state that you must wait 60 days. Current UKARA guidance uses 56 days or more between your first and third qualifying game, while also requiring the games to span a minimum period of two months.
ORDERING A RIF
USING UKARA AT JD
PROVIDE YOUR CORRECT DETAILS
When purchasing a RIF using UKARA, provide your current UKARA details and make sure the name, address and other customer information supplied to JD is accurate.

JD will verify the registration before releasing the restricted item.
WHY MIGHT MY ORDER BE HELD?
A RIF order may be placed on hold if the UKARA registration cannot be verified, the registration details appear out of date, the purchaser information does not match, or JD needs additional information before completing the sale.

If we need anything from you, we will normally contact you before the order is released.
DO NOT HAVE UKARA?
YOU MAY STILL HAVE OPTIONS.
ANOTHER RIF DEFENCE MAY APPLY
UKARA is not the only possible way for JD to establish that a RIF sale falls within an applicable legal defence.

Other recognised purposes can apply in particular circumstances, but JD will need suitable evidence and will consider alternative defences on a case-by-case basis.
OR CHOOSE TWO-TONE
If you are 18 or over and do not have a RIF defence that JD can verify, an eligible airsoft gun may normally be supplied using JD's two-tone service instead.

You do not need UKARA simply to purchase an eligible two-tone imitation firearm.
QUICK ANSWERS
UKARA FAQ
IS UKARA A LICENCE?
No. UKARA is an industry verification system used by airsoft retailers. It is not a Government-issued licence or firearms certificate.
CAN I USE SOMEBODY ELSE'S UKARA NUMBER?
No. JD needs to verify the person making the RIF purchase and the defence relied upon for that transaction.
DOES A FIREARMS CERTIFICATE REPLACE UKARA?
No. Holding a firearm or shotgun certificate does not by itself establish the legal purpose needed for an airsoft RIF sale.
DO POLICE OR ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY?
No automatic personal RIF purchasing right arises simply from somebody's occupation. An official Crown purpose may be treated differently, but JD would require appropriate evidence of that official purpose.
DO I NEED UKARA TO OWN A RIF?
UKARA is not an ownership licence. It is primarily used by retailers as part of verifying a qualifying RIF transaction. Separate laws still apply to how imitation firearms are possessed, transported and used.
NEED MORE THAN UKARA?
READ THE FULL JD BUYING GUIDE
Our full buying guide covers RIFs, alternative defences, two-tone airsoft guns, gifts, under-18s, online ordering, air rifles, air pistols and RFD transfers.
CAN ANYONE BUY AN AIRSOFT GUN?
NOT SURE IF YOUR DEFENCE IS SUITABLE?
ASK JD BEFORE YOU ORDER.
Tell us what you want to purchase and what defence or documentation you have. We can tell you what JD needs before you place the order.
CONTACT JD EMAIL SALES
JD. GEAR UP. GAME ON.

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