Dienstleistungsportal Bayern

Weapons or ammunition are brought into, through or out of the Federal Republic of Germany by anyone who has them transported across the national border to remain there or who transports them himself. On the other hand, a firearm or ammunition is taken along by anyone who temporarily brings this firearm or ammunition on a journey without giving up possession for use across the border into, through or out of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The following permits refer to the transfer and carrying of firearms or ammunition according to Annex 1 to the Weapons Act, Section 3 (Categories A 1.2 to C).

Please note that the transfer of weapons between certain countries may additionally require a permit in accordance with foreign trade law, customs law and/or other legal provisions. In this case, it is advisable to contact the responsible customs office and the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control prior to the transfer.

Before starting your journey, please also obtain comprehensive information on the legal provisions applicable in the other countries for the transfer or bringing of weapons, which remain unaffected by the following statements.

Bringing weapons or ammunition into Germany (import)

If you wish to bring the above-mentioned weapons or other weapons, the acquisition and possession of which requires a permit, into the Federal Republic of Germany, the district administrative authority can grant you a permit if the recipient of the weapons is entitled to acquire or possess them (as a rule, this requires the recipient to have a corresponding permit under weapons law) and the safe transport is guaranteed by a person entitled to acquire or possess these weapons.

Please note the obligation to obtain further (export) permits that may exist under foreign law.

Bringing weapons or ammunition through Germany (transit)

If you wish to bring weapons through the Federal Republic of Germany, the district administrative authority can issue you a permit if safe transport is guaranteed by a person authorized to acquire or possess these weapons.

In the case of transit from a country that is not a member state of the European Union (third country) through Germany to another member state, the permit can only be issued if the other member state has also permitted the import of the weapon. An exception applies if you can credibly demonstrate that no such (import) permit is required under the law of the other member state.

Please note the obligation, if any, under the law of the sending country to obtain further (export) permits.

Transfer of weapons or ammunition from Germany to other member states of the European Union (export)

If you wish to transfer weapons from the Federal Republic of Germany to another member state, the district administrative authority can grant you a permit if the import permit required under the law of the other member state has been obtained and safe transport is guaranteed by a person authorized to acquire or possess these weapons.

Commercial firearms manufacturers or dealers may be granted general permission to transfer firearms to firearms dealers in other Member States for a period of up to three years. The permit may be limited to certain types of firearms or ammunition and to certain Member States. The holder of this permit must notify the Federal Office of Administration in writing or electronically in advance of any transfer.

Bringing weapons or ammunition to, through or from Germany

If you wish to take the above-mentioned weapons or other weapons, the acquisition and possession of which requires a permit, to or through the Federal Republic of Germany, the district administrative authority can issue you a permit if the requirements of Section 4, Paragraph 1, Nos. 1 to 4 of the Weapons Act (reliability, personal suitability, expertise and need) are met. The permit can be issued for a period of up to one year for one or more carry-on operations and can be extended several times for one year at a time.

If you are a citizen of a third country, permission to take weapons through Germany to another member state also requires permission from the other member state, unless such permission is not required under the law of the other member state.

Permission to take weapons or ammunition from Germany to another Member State may be granted if you are entitled to acquire and possess the weapons, the prior consent required by the law of the other Member State has been obtained and the safe transport of the weapon is guaranteed.

If you have your habitual residence in another Member State (EU citizens) and wish to take weapons to, through or from Germany, permission to do so will only be granted if you are the holder of a European Firearms Pass issued by that Member State and the weapons are entered in the European Firearms Pass.

Hunters, sport shooters and traditional shooters who are holders of a European Firearms Pass do not require a carry permit in the cases specified in Section 32 (3) of the Weapons Act:

• Hunters: carrying up to three long guns and the ammunition intended for them for the purpose of hunting,
• Sport shooters: Carrying up to six sporting weapons and the ammunition intended for them for the purpose of shooting sports,
• traditional shooters: Carrying up to three single-shot or bolt-action long guns and the ammunition intended for them for the purpose of participating in a traditional event.

You also do not need a permit to take weapons or ammunition to or through Germany:

• for which you have a permit to acquire or possess (Attention: A hunting license is not sufficient for this purpose!),
• which are carried on board ships for safety reasons (signal weapons), or
• on board ships or aircraft, which are kept under lock and key during their stay in the area of application of this law, are immediately reported to the competent surveillance authority and are transported out of the area of application of the law again within one month at the latest.

Please note any further licensing requirements that may exist under foreign law.