Description
Permission to bring and take weapons or ammunition into, through or out of the area of application of the Weapons Act (import, transit, export)
A person who brings weapons or ammunition across a national border to remain there or with the aim of changing possession into, through or out of the area of application of the Act to another person or to himself or herself, or transports them himself or herself. On the other hand, a person who brings a weapon or ammunition across the border into, through or out of the area of application of the law temporarily on a journey without giving up possession of the weapon or ammunition for use takes the weapon or ammunition with him.
The following permits refer to the bringing and carrying of firearms or ammunition according to Annex 1 to the Weapons Act, Section 3, Categories A 1.2 to D (classification of firearms or ammunition into categories A to D according to the Weapons Directive) into, through or out of the area of application of the Weapons Act, which extends to the entire national territory of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Bringing weapons or ammunition into the area of application of the Weapons Act (import)
If you wish to bring the above-mentioned weapons or other weapons whose acquisition and possession require permission into the area of application of the Weapons Act, the district administration authority may grant you permission if the recipient of the weapons is authorized to acquire or possess them and safe transport is ensured by a person authorized to acquire or possess these weapons.
In the case of import from another Member State of the European Union (Member State), the permit is issued as consent to the permit of the other Member State.
Moving weapons or ammunition through the area of application of the Weapons Act (transit)
If you wish to move weapons through the area of application of the Weapons Act, the district administrative authority may grant you a permit if safe transport is ensured by a person authorized to acquire or possess these weapons.
In the case of transit from another member state of the European Union, the permit is issued as consent to the permit of the other member state.
In the case of transit from a state that is not a member state of the European Union (third state) to a member state, the permit also requires its prior consent.
Transfer of weapons or ammunition from the area of application of the Weapons Act 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 prior consent 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. The holder of this permit must notify the Federal Criminal Police Office in writing in advance of any transfer.
Bringing weapons or ammunition into, through or out of the area of application of the Weapons Act (import, transit, export)
If you wish to take the above-mentioned weapons or other weapons, the acquisition and possession of which require permission, into or through the area of application of the Weapons Act, the district administration authority can issue you with a permit if the requirements of Section 4, Paragraph 1, Nos. 1 to 4 of the Weapons Act 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 the area of application of the law into another member state also requires, insofar as the consent of the other member state is required, its prior consent.
If you have your habitual residence in another Member State and wish to take weapons with you (import, export or transit), 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.
For hunters, sport shooters and traditional shooters there are exceptions to the obligation to obtain a permit or the requirements for a permit to carry weapons (import, export or transit):
- Hunters: up to three long guns and their designated ammunition for the purpose of hunting,
- Sport shooters: up to six sporting weapons and the ammunition intended for the purpose of shooting sports,
- Traditional shooters: up to three single-shot or bolt-action long guns and the ammunition intended for this purpose for participation in a traditional event.
You do not need a permit to bring weapons into or through the area of application of the Weapons Act (import, transit):
- for which you have a permit to acquire or possess,
- which are carried on board ships for reasons of safety (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 Act, are immediately reported to the competent supervisory authority and are transported out of the area of application of the Act again within one month at the latest.
If you select a location under "Localization" the contact details of the responsible authority and, if applicable, locally valid information will be displayed.