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

Do you want to permanently export weapons or ammunition from Germany to other countries, permanently import them into Germany or transport them through Germany? Then you need a permit.

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Procedure details

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 consignor or a carrier (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.

Bringing 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 carrier, 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 will require an export permit from this state or you must provide credible assurance that you do not require an export permit. 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.

Transporting 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 will require an export and import permit from that state or you must provide credible assurance that you do not require an export and import permit.

If you are transporting the firearm 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 and 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 will require an export license from that state or you must 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 that 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 must 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 to acquire and possess (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 weapons permit. 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.

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 weapons possession card (WBK) that authorizes him/her to acquire and possess these weapons.
  • If the recipient and transporter are not the same person, the transporter also needs a firearms possession card (WBK) authorizing him to acquire and possess these weapons, but not the commercial carrier
  • You need an export license (if required) (when importing 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 possession card (WBK) authorizing him/her 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) authorizing him to acquire and possess these weapons. Shipper and transporter can 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).

  • The following documents are required:
    • Identity card or passport (copy)
    • Import to Germany
      • Import from a member state of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Liechtenstein or Iceland
        • Weapons possession 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)
        • Weapons possession 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
        • Weapons possession 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
        • Weapons possession card (copy) of the transporter
    • Export from Germany
      • Weapons possession card (copy) of the transporter
      • Consent of the state (if required) or proof that no consent is required

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

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

The fees for the permit are between EUR 25 and EUR 500.

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Status: 05.02.2025
Editorial responsibility Bayerisches Staatsministerium des Innern, für Sport und Integration
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