Permit to transfer firearms and ammunition Issue
The permit for the cross-border transfer of firearms or ammunition into the area of application of the Weapons Act, into other member states of the European Union or into Switzerland is issued by the competent authority.
The competent authority can only issue the corresponding transfer permit if the competent authority of the country of destination has given its prior consent, i.e. an import permit has been issued by the latter.
Who should I contact?
Responsibility lies with the district, the independent city, the large independent city and the independent municipality.
This procedure can also be handled by a "single point of contact". The "Single Point of Contact" is a special service offered by the municipalities and the state for service providers.
Requirements
- The recipient is authorized to acquire or possess these weapons or ammunition.
- Safe transportation by a person authorized to acquire or possess these weapons or ammunition is guaranteed.
- If firearms or ammunition are to be brought to Germany from another Member State of the European Union, the permit shall be issued as consent to the other Member State's permit for the transfer in question.
- If the destination is another Member State of the European Union, its consent is also required.
Which documents are required?
- Weapons trading license or weapons manufacturing license
- Proof of safe transportation (see No. 31.2 in conjunction with 29.3 General Administrative Regulation on the Weapons Act (WaffVwV))
- The applicant must provide the following information:
- Name and address of the company,
- Telephone or fax number,
- First name and surname,
- Place and date of birth of the holder of the permit pursuant to Section 21 (1) of the Weapons Act (WaffG)
- Recipient member state
- Type of weapons and ammunition
When transporting firearms or ammunition within the European Union to an arms dealer in another Member State by or on behalf of a holder of a permit pursuant to Section 31 (2) WaffG, a declaration referring to this permit may be carried instead of the permit pursuant to paragraph 1. The declaration must be made on the official form provided for this purpose and contain the following information
- the name of the Member State of consignor and consignee, the countries of transit, the mode of transportation and the carrier
- the consignor, the person obliged to make the declaration and the consignee:
- Name and address of the company, telephone or fax number
- about the permit according to § 31 para. 2 WaffG:
- Date and number of issue, issuing authority and period of validity
- on the prior consent of the other Member State or exemption from prior consent:
- Date of issue and issuing authority, indication of weapons; a duplicate of the prior authorization or exemption shall be attached to the declaration
- on the weapons:
- for firearms: Number and type of weapons, category according to Annex 1 Section 3 WaffG, company name or registered trademark of the manufacturer, model name, caliber, manufacturing number and C.I.P. proof mark, if applicable
- for other weapons: Number and type of weapons
- about the ammunition:
- Number and type of ammunition, category according to Directive (EEC) No. 93/15 on the harmonization of the provisions relating to the placing on the market and supervision of explosives for civil uses (OJ EC No. L 121 p. 20), manufacturer's company name or registered trademark, calibre and, if applicable, C.I.P. ammunition test mark;
- the delivery address:
- precise indication of the place to which the firearms or ammunition are dispatched or transported.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
No deadlines need to be observed.
What else should I know?
Special conditions apply to the personal carriage of weapons, e.g. as a marksman.
In certain cases, there are obligations to notify the Federal Criminal Police Office in accordance with § 34 of the Weapons Act (WaffG).
Before taking weapons to another country, it is advisable to find out in advance about the weapons regulations applicable there. The respective embassies or consulates are available for this purpose. The customs regulations must also be observed, irrespective of the legal weapons regulations.
