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The German Weapons Act covers firearms and similarly classified objects, certain portable objects, and ammunition (Annex 1 Part 1 Weapons Act (Waffengesetz).
This legislation also applies when transferring or carrying firearms and ammunition from one EU Member State to another.
Transferring means the transportation of a weapon across a border with the intention of leaving it abroad or changing its ownership (through sale, for example).
Transferring firearms and ammunition into or out of or another EU Member State always requires previous authorization.
Carrying during a journey means carrying firearms and ammunition temporarily across a border with the intention of using them abroad (in a competition, for example) without relinquishing possession of them.
You always need a specific licence if you wish to carry firearms or ammunition to Germany or via Germany to another EU Member State.
Special cases:
In the special cases listed above, it is not necessary to always carry the firearms explicitly mentioned in section 32 of the German Firearms Act together with the ammunition intended for them. They can be carried separately from each other.
The licence must already have been issued by the competent German weapons authority before the transfer or carrying of the items to or from Germany. You should therefore investigate whether your intended transfer or carrying of firearms and ammunition is permitted.
Although the same customs regulations apply in EU Member States, they have differing firearms regulations. Should you intend to transfer or take firearms and ammunition from one EU Member State to another you would be well advised to find out about the current regulations from the local competent authorities.
Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein shall be treated as any other EU Member State since they have concluded association agreements with the EU.
You should be aware of the fact that weapons that are freely available abroad may not be transferred or brought into Germany, or only under certain conditions. Transferring or bringing firearms or ammunition into Germany is punishable with imprisonment for up to five years, and for up to ten years in particularly serious cases.
Weapons and ammunition banned under Annex 2 Part 1 of the Weapons Act include, but are not limited to:
Adults may transfer or carry certain weapons and ammunition into or through Germany without an authorisation.
For example, the transfer or carriage of the following into or through Germany without authorisation is permittet:
While the issue of permits or authorizations under firearms legislation falls within the area of competence of municipal public affairs offices, district administrations, or the district police authorities, the customs administration monitors the movement of goods on the exterior borders of the European Union and domestically by means of mobile inspections pursuant to Section 33 of the Weapons Act (WaffG). The non-observance of firearms legislation is always followed by the initiation of a criminal justice procedure and the confiscation of the imported objects, firearms, or ammunition.
The competent authorities (for example, city or municipal public affairs offices, district administrations) can answer any questions concerning the transfer or possession of firearms.
For individuals who are not resident in Germany the competent authority for the issue of the authorisation to transfer or import firearms is: