Weapons and ammunition; application for a permit to bring them into, through or out of the Federal Republic of Germany

If you wish to permanently export weapons requiring a permit from Germany to a foreign country, permanently import them into Germany or transport them through Germany, you require a permit. The permit can be applied for by the recipient, the sender or a transporter (including a commercial forwarding agent). It is also possible for the recipient or shipper to carry out the transportation themselves. The transportation of weapons can also be carried out by a forwarding agent.

Transfer of weapons and ammunition to Germany (import)

In order to be allowed to permanently import weapons into Germany, the recipient must have a verifiable permit to acquire and possess the weapons in question (weapons possession card - WBK). If you submit the application as a transporter, you also require a permit to acquire and possess (weapons possession card - WBK) these weapons. If you commission a forwarding agent to transport the weapons, they do not require a weapons possession card (WBK).

If you are importing the weapons from a member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you require an export license from this state or you can provide credible assurance that you do not require an export license. If you are importing the weapon from a country outside the European Union (EU) or not from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you do not require an export license.

Transfer of weapons and ammunition through Germany (transit)

In order to be allowed to transport weapons to Germany through Germany, the transporter must have a verifiable permit to acquire and possess (weapons possession card - WBK) the weapons and ammunition in question. If you commission a forwarding agent to transport the weapons, they do not require a weapons possession card (WBK).

If you are transporting the weapons and ammunition from a member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland to another member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you require an export and import permit from this state or you provide credible assurance that you do not require an export and import permit.

If you are transporting the weapon from a country outside the European Union (EU) or not from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland to another country outside the European Union (EU) or not to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you do not require an export or import permit. However, you may require other permits, for example under the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG).

If you are transporting the weapons and ammunition from a member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland to a state outside the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you require an export license from this state or you provide credible assurance that you do not require an export license.

If you are transporting the firearm from a country outside the European Union (EU) or not from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland to a member state of the European Union (EU) or to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you require an import permit from the country.

Export from Germany

In order to permanently export weapons from Germany to a member state of the European Union (EU) or to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you require an import permit from the state in question or you provide credible assurance that you do not require an import permit. The transporter requires a permit to acquire and possess the weapons and ammunition in question (weapons possession card - WBK). However, a forwarding agent can also be commissioned with the transportation. This does not require a permit for the acquisition and possession (weapons possession card - WBK) for the weapons and ammunition in question.

To permanently export weapons from Germany to a country outside the European Union (EU) or outside Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland, you do not require a firearms license. Before exporting to such countries, it is recommended that you find out for yourself whether you need to comply with other legal provisions, such as the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (AWG) or the laws of that country.

In the Forms section you will find the application for an import and export permit for weapons.

The links below will take you to the website of the Federal Office of Administration, where you will find forms for applications for firearms licenses, the acquisition, transfer and carrying of weapons as well as for the small firearms license. You will also find forms for reporting the loss, acquisition and transfer of weapons as well as useful information and leaflets on weapons ownership.

Import to Germany

If you wish to permanently import weapons and ammunition into Germany, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• The recipient must have a firearms possession card (WBK) that entitles him to acquire and possess these weapons.
• If the recipient and transporter are not the same, then the transporter also requires a firearms possession card (WBK), which authorizes him to acquire and possess these weapons, but not the commercial carrier
• You need an export license (if required) (for imports from a member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland)

Transit through Germany

If you wish to transport weapons and ammunition through Germany, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• The transporter must have a firearms ownership card (WBK) that authorizes him to acquire and possess these weapons and ammunition.
• You need an export and/or import permit (if required) (for member states of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland)

Export from Germany

If you wish to permanently export weapons and ammunition from Germany, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• The transporter must have a firearms possession card (WBK) that authorizes him to acquire and possess these weapons. Shipper and transporter may be the same person.
• You need an import permit (if required) (if exporting to a member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland).

none

• Identity card or passport (copy)
• Import to Germany
  • Import from a member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein or Iceland
    • Firearms ownership card (copy) of the recipient and/or the transporter
    • Consent of the state (if required) or proof that no consent is required
  • Import from a third country (other countries)
    • Firearms ownership card (copy) of the recipient and/or the transporter
• Transit through Germany
  • Transit through Germany from a member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein or Iceland
    • Weapon ownership card (copy) of the transporter
    • Consent of the state (if required) or proof that no consent is required
  • Transit through Germany from a third country
    • Weapon ownership card (copy) of the transporter
• Export from Germany
  • Weapon ownership card (copy) of the transporter
  • Consent of the state (if required) or proof that no consent is required

• Application for import and export permit for weapons

• to §§ 29 ff. General Administrative Regulation on the Weapons Act (WaffVwV)
• § Section 29 General Weapons Act Ordinance (AWaffV)
• § Section 29 of the Weapons Act (WaffG)

• Applications for firearms licenses

  Link to the website of the Federal Office of Administration, where you can find forms for applications for weapons licenses, acquisition, transfer and carrying of weapons as well as for the small firearms license. There are also forms for reporting the loss, acquisition and transfer of weapons as well as helpful information and leaflets on weapons ownership.

You must apply for the permit from the relevant firearms authority. Submit the application together with the required documents.

The firearms authority will grant you the permit if you meet the necessary requirements.

• European firearms pass; application
• Small firearms license; application
• Weapons; General information
• Weapons manufacture; application for a permit
• Weapons and ammunition; application for a permit to take them into, through or out of the Federal Republic of Germany
• Green firearms possession card for individual persons; application
• Weapons, ammunition or permit certificates; notification of loss
• Arms trade; application for a permit
• Shooting range; application for an operating license
• Armed cash transportation; application for weapons permits
• Weapons; notification of the acquisition of a weapon requiring a permit
• Firearms license; application