Weapons legislation – Applying for a relocation permit

Anyone wishing to
  • permanently import (or arrange for import) to the Federal Republic of Germany, or
  • permanently export (or arrange for export) from the Federal Republic of Germany to another European country (Schengen area), or
  • transport through (transit) the Federal Republic of Germany, any weapons, essential weapon parts or ammunition, must apply for a relocation permit for each transport to the recipient. Relocation of firearms, essential weapon parts or ammunition without a relocation permit is a criminal offence. Validity of the relocation permit depends on the planned transport date, but is never longer than one year.

Short-term transport of weapons with return transport
A European Firearms Pass (see “Further information”) is sufficient for short-term cross-border relocation of weapons, essential weapon parts or ammunition followed by their return transport, such as for a hunting trip or shooting competition.

Weapons dealers or weapons manufacturers
Weapons dealers or manufacturers wishing to export to other weapons dealers or manufacturers in a country in the European Union or the Schengen area, can apply for a “general relocation permit” rather than for relocation permits for individual export procedures. This permit is valid for three years, however, it is still mandatory that the Federal Office of Administration is notified of each export procedure.

Export of weapons to states outside the EU or the Schengen area
  • An additional permit according to foreign trade law, customs law and/or other areas of legislation may be required for relocating weapons between certain states. It is recommended that the competent customs office and the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control are contacted before such relocation.
  • The Federal Office for Export Control must, for example, be notified before any export of weapons, weapon parts or ammunition to a country that is not part of the EU or the Schengen area. A relocation permit is not required for this purpose.

Procedure
1. Apply for a relocation permit for import, export or transit of weapons, essential weapon parts or ammunition.
  • If you wish to apply for an export or transit permit, you need to ask the recipient to present the import permit. The recipient must request the import permit from the competent authority in the state of destination and provide it to the sender.
2. You must present your arms possession card to the weapons authority for correction within 14 days of the date when weapons, essential weapon parts or ammunition crossed the border for permanent relocation.

Prerequisites

  • Acquisition or possession permit for firearms and the corresponding ammunition
    e.g. arms possession card or weapons trading permit for the weapons, weapon parts or ammunition that are to be relocated
    • Acquisition permit: for import or transit
    • Possession permit: for export or transit
  • Documents for the sender’s state or the state of destination
    You will, for example, first need an import permit for the state of destination if you as the sender of weapons, essential weapon parts or ammunition
    • are exporting (or arranging for export of) such items from the Federal Republic of Germany or
    • wish to transport (or arrange for transport of) such items for sale or transfer
  • Safe transport
    Safe transport by a commercial transport company or a person who is authorised to acquire or possess these weapons or ammunition is ensured.
  • 14-day period
    You must present your arms possession card to the weapons authority for correction within 14 days from the date when weapons, essential weapon parts or ammunition crossed the border for permanent relocation.

Documents required

  • Application for permission to relocate weapons, weapon parts or ammunition
    Can be completed online; or you can use the form.
    • Online processing: please keep all required documents and certificates ready for upload in PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG or DOCX format. The files should be named as follows: firstname_surname_description.pdf
    • Submission of the application by postal mail or e-mail: please post or email the signed application and all certificates and personal documents to the weapons authority of the Berlin police.
    The application can only be sent or processed if all information and certificates are submitted.
  • Details of the sending/receiving person
    The name, address, place and date of birth and identity card or passport details of private individuals are required, or the company name and address of weapons dealers.
  • Details of weapons/weapon parts
    Number, category, type of weapon, calibre, manufacturer, serial number, model, other characteristics, recognised CIP proof mark: yes/no
  • Details of ammunition
    Number, type, calibre, manufacturer, other characteristics, recognised CIP proof mark: yes/no
  • Details of the acquisition/possession permit
    For the weapons, weapon parts or ammunition that are to be relocated
    • e.g. arms possession card or weapons trading permit
  • Identity card or passport
    As a photocopy or photograph
  • Planned date of the relocation
  • Documents for the sender’s state or the state of destination
    For export or transit of weapons, weapon parts or ammunition from the Federal Republic of Germany to another European country (Schengen area) you (as the sender) need
    • an import permit for the state of destination from the recipient

Forms

Fees

Processing fees apply. You will receive a notification of charges. Processing will take place after receipt of payment.

  • EUR 35.00: issuance of a relocation permit including registration of one weapon or one ammunition item
  • EUR 3.00: surcharge for each additional weapon or ammunition item

Legal basis

Average time to process request

The weapons authority will contact the applicant without being prompted to do so.

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