Weapons and ammunition

The German Weapons Act covers firearms and similarly classified objects, certain portable objects, and ammunition (Annex 1, Part 1, Weapons Act (Waffengesetz)).

While the issue of permits or authorizations under firearms legislation falls within the scope of competence of municipal public affairs offices, district administrations, or the district police authorities, the customs administration monitors the movement of goods on the external borders of the European Union and domestically by means of mobile inspections.
Firearms and ammunition must be voluntarily declared at the customs office when being transferred or carried from a non-EU country.

The German Weapons Act makes a fundamental distinction between transferring (taking across a border to relinquish ownership - through sale, for example) and carrying (taking across a border without the intention of relinquishing ownership - to participate in a shooting contest, for example). Transferring or carrying weapons to or through Germany requires, as a matter of principle, a permit. Similarly, the German Weapons Act stipulates that the transfer or carriage of firearms or ammunition from Germany to another EU Member State is subject to authorisation. Only after the relevant permit has been issued by the German authority with competence under weapons legislation may the transport of the weapons in question begin. Adults may transfer or carry certain weapons or ammunition without a permit.

Fundamentally, it should be noted that handling some specific types of weapons or ammunition is always banned.

Further information

The administrative authorities competent under the Weapons Act, such as the local public law and order office (Ordnungsamt) or the regional council office (Landratsamt), are able to answer any questions concerning the transfer or carriage of firearms and ammunition.

For individuals who are not resident in the Federal Republic of Germany, the competent authority for the issue of permits to transfer or carry fireams is

• the authority (Ordnungsamt or Landratsamt) in whose district the individual(s) concerned are, or intend to be, staying (such as the venue of a hunt or contest), or
• if no exact location can be specified - in the case of transit, for example - the authority in whose district the German border is crossed.