1. Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)
No. Its only jurisdiction is to issue exception permits for prohibited firearms and items according to the Firearms Act of the Federal Republic of Germany (WaffG) to be imported, re-exported and presented at IWA OutdoorClassics. For the import and re-export of firearms and items that are no prohibited items according the WaffG other rules apply - see “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”.
No. Its only jurisdiction is to issue exception permits for prohibited firearms and items according to the Firearms Act of the Federal Republic of Germany (WaffG) to be imported, re-exported and presented at IWA OutdoorClassics. Firearms and items that are weapons of war according to the KrWaffKontrG are generally NOT allowed at IWA OutdoorClassics.
Yes, even if it is for the same prohibited items that a permit was issued in the year before already. The BKA completely reviews the applications anew, especially also because there could have been an amendment in the meantime.
No. The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) only issues special exception permits for firearms and articles contained in the list of items regarding the „Application for Special Permission for the Temporary Import of ‘Prohibited Firearms and Articles’ in “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”.
2. AR-15/M16-style firearms / Weapons of War
Such firearms either must be classified as totally banned “weapons of war” if they meet special criteria according the German War-Gun Control Act (KrWaffKontrG) and thus cannot be imported and displayed at all or they can be classified as mere sporting and hunting rifles if they do not meet the “weapons of war” criteria. They only can be prohibited firearms that you need a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) for to be imported, exported and displayed at IWA OutdoorClassics if one or more prohibition criteria meet that can be seen in the list of items regarding the „Application for Special Permission for the Temporary Import of ‘Prohibited Firearms and Articles” in “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”.
- It is an original military (usually full-auto) aussault rifle that - like the original full-auto AR-15 or M16 - is enlisted in the German War-Gun Control Act (KrWaffKontrG).
- Though it only shoots semi-automatically it contains parts that are identical to parts of the original military weapon (these parts are a full-auto bolt and/or an upper receiver with an "auto searcut" milling grove and/or a barrel that comes from a military production line and has exactly the same measurement as the original military firearm barrel!).
Please note: the mere single parts of the original military assault rifle mentioned above are individually completely banned according the KrWaffKontrG as well.
The following illustrations show the different criteria that are relevant under German law for classification as a fully automatic or semi-automatic weapon!
No. An existing “auto searcut” milling grove implies that such a firearm is totally banned in Germany, that it may not be presented at IWA OutdoorClassics and thus that it cannot be imported for IWA OutdoorClassics presentation purposes.
Existing auto searcuts can be closed by filling in a special “hardening” spackle properly and durably so that the upper receiver must not be seen as a totally banned part any more. For legal reasons this must be done abroad already, before importing the items to Germany.
If authorities realize that totally banned firearms or parts were imported or are exhibited at IWA OutdoorClassics these items will be seized and the exhibitor will be punished by law.
No. The “weapon of war” criterion only applies for rifles. Semi-automatic shotguns and pump-action shotguns, whether optically resembling military-style assault rifles or not, can only be prohibited firearms that you need a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) if they meet other prohibition criteria which can be seen in the list of items regarding the „Application for Special Permission for the Temporary Import of ‘Prohibited Firearms and Articles” in “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”.
3. Individual weapons and items
No. - Exception: ONLY multi-round handguns for center fire ignition ammunition with a caliber of less than 6.3 mm / .25” are prohibited and there is a need to apply for a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) for them (see number 4 in the list of items regarding the „Application for Special Permission for the Temporary Import of ‘Prohibited Firearms and Articles” in “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”). Handguns with a caliber of more that 6.3 mm / .22 CANNOT be prohibited items!
No. Import, re-export and presentation at IWA are allowed if the rules contained in “Important information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms” are observed. The firearm is classified as a handgun because of its overall length.
No. Such guns are firearmsenlisted in the German War-Gun Control Act (KrWaffKontrG), thus inadmissible for IWA OutdoorClassics and therefore not allowed to be imported for presentation purposes at IWA OutdoorClassics (see „Inadmissible Exhibits“ in “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms” as to that!).
Detachable magazines for handguns (total length up to 60 cm/23.6") for central fire ammunition (not for rimfire ammunition!), that can hold more than 20 cartridges, as well as detachable magazines for long guns (total length more than 60 cm/23.6") for central fire ammunition (not for rimfire ammunition!), that can hold more than 10 cartridges, now are classified as prohibited items in Germany. Also, pure magazine housings for magazines with the corresponding magazine capacities are now classified as prohibited items. An exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) must be applied for the import and export as well as for the IWA OutdoorClassics presentation of such magazines (see no. 16 - 18 in the list of items regarding the „Application for Special Permission for the Temporary Import of ‘Prohibited Firearms and Articles” in “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”). Magazines with a lower magazine capacity are still neither prohibited nor subject to permission.
Semi-automatic handguns (total length up to 60 cm/23.6") for central fire ammunition (not for rimfire ammunition!) with a fixed, built-in magazine with a capacity of more than 20 cartridges and long guns (total length more than 60 cm/23.6") for central fire ammunition (not for rimfire ammunition!) with a fixed, built-in magazine with a capacity of more than 10 cartridges are classified as prohibited firearms now. An exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) must be applied for the import and export as well as for the IWA OutdoorClassics presentation of such firearms (see no. 16 - 18 in the list of items regarding the „Application for Special Permission for the Temporary Import of ‘Prohibited Firearms and Articles” in “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”).
Pure night vision devices are usually hand-held devices with an image converter or electronic light amplification, including those based on thermal imaging technology, used solely for observation in poor light conditions, without reticle and without the possibility of attachment to a gun or to a scope. These are no prohibited items.
Night aiming devices, on the other hand, are devices with an image converter or electronic light amplification, including those based on thermal imaging technology, intended for aiming with guns in low light conditions and attachable to the gun or riflescopes etc. These can be complete units with an internal reticle or units to be clipped-on/attached/mounted to an existing riflescope or aiming device. For import, exhibition at IWA OutdoorClassics and re-export of all these devices, an exemption permit from the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) must be applied for, as these are classified as prohibited items. Units to be clipped-on/attached/mounted to an existing riflescope or aiming device remain prohibited although such devices may now be used for hunting purposes in Germany by way of exception.
Yes. A special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is needed for such a device.
Laser sights do project a point of aim at the target, are therefore prohibited in Germany and for import, exhibition at IWA as well as for re-export a special permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is required. Red-dot-sights (also with dots in other colours), on the other hand, are no prohibited items, as their dot or reticle is only visible in the device itself.
Yes, therefore for flashlights and lamps to be attached to firearms an exemption must be applied for at the BKA.
„Regular“ flashlights, torches and lamps must also be classified as prohibited items if any kind of mouting device to mount them to firearms is existing. To display the flashlights, torches and lamps separately from corresponding mounts is not enough! If a mount is existing for a flashlight or lamp that shall be displayed then refrain from bringing the mount and refer to illustrations and brochures. The separate mount is a prohibited item already and a special exception permit must be applied for it.
Yes, therefore for devices containing as a flashlight / lamp as a laser sight to be attached to firearms an exemption must be applied for at the BKA.
No. Single-barreled and multi-barreled break-down action shotguns and also semi-automatic shotguns are generally no prohibited items in Germany. - Exception: they can be telescoped, folded, shortened or rapidly dismantled to a greater extent than usual for hunting and sporting purposes, then a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) would be needed, too.
No. If only one of the criteria mentioned applies the pump-action shotgun must be seen as a prohibited firearm in Germany and a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) must be applied for it.
If the telescopic shoulder stock shortens the overall-length of the firearm just by a maximum of 9.5 cm (3.7”) the gun must not be seen as being able to be telescoped to a greater extent than usual for hunting and sporting purposes. It is therefore not a prohibited item. The overall-length in the longest and shortest way must stay more than 60 cm / 23.6” then so that the firearm is still a long gun and not a handgun that could be prohibited according another prohibition criterion.
No. Only long guns (usually rifles, shotguns) with an overall-length of more than 60 cm / 23.6” are prohibited firearms if they can be telescoped, folded or shortened to a greater extent than usual for hunting and sporting purposes. Regular long guns (that are not prohibited according other criteria) cannot be prohibited.
Only the stabbing weapons and batons etc. enlisted in numbers 22 to 27 and 32 to 37 in the “Application for Special Permission for the Temporary Import of ‘Prohibited Firearms and Articles’” (see “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”!) are prohibited. Therefore a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has to be applied for them.
There is no need for a BKA exception permit for other knives and batons etc. being not contained in the above mentioned categories because these items (that may not be allowed to be carried in public in Germany) are no generally prohibited items.
Only switchblade knives with blades shorter than a maximum 8.5 cm (3.3”) and not being sharpened double-sided are no prohibited items. All other switchblade knives are prohibited just as all kinds of gravity knives and other knifes the blades of which are slid out forwards from the handle and fist knives / push knives. For these you need to apply for a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).
A mere baton is not a prohibited item because it has the same weight as in its back side as in its front sight. Contrary to that a blackjack or cosh is heavier in its front and usually also flexible. A blackjack or cosh, just like brass knuckles, steel rods and nunchakus (see numbers 23 to 26 and 31 in the list of items regarding the „Application for Special Permission for the Temporary Import of ‘Prohibited Firearms and Articles“ in “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms”!) is a prohibited item in Germany and a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) is needed.
No. Telescopic batons (being not flexible!) are no prohibited items in Germany and there is no need for a special permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) for them. Being flexible they would be prohibited steel rods and a special exception permit would be needed.
Airsoft guns must be classified differently depending on the starting energy Eo of their projectiles. Some of them possibly could be classified as mere toys, nevertheless we strongly advise to observe all the regulations regarding the import and export of firearms for all airsoft guns (no matter if they do have an F marking or not) to be on the safe side - see “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms” as to that!
4. Import / Export
Exhibitors from non-EU countries must go through the regular customs procedures to import and to re-export firearms and items that need a license for in Germany. In addition they need to apply for a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) if their or some of their firearms and articles are prohibited items in Germany so that they can be imported, re-exported and presented at IWA OutdoorClassics.
Exhibitors from EU countries must apply for a so-called “transport permission” to the City of Nuremberg to import and to re-export firearms and items that need a license for in Germany (application form to be sent to the IWA OutdoorClassics management to forward it to the City of Nuremberg; see “Application for Transport Permission"). In addition they need to apply for a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) if their or some of their firearms and articles are prohibited items in Germany.
Yes. Definitely! Not to employ a freight forwarder often causes significant problems because some customs offices or officers are not familiar with the specific gun show details. We recommend SCHENKER to be employed as a freight forwarder because SCHENKER is very familiar with all IWA OutdoorClassics related things.
Articles from non-EU countries must be cleared for import and export by the customs authorities. We strongly advise against handling the import and re-export procedures without assistance. Sending prohibited articles with DHL is not the best idea either because DHL is not specialized in IWA OutdoorClassics related things. We recommend SCHENKER to be employed as a freight forwarder because this company is very specialized.
Such firearms usually are seized by the customs authorities and the customs authorities initiate criminal investigations. The criminal process usually leads to the confiscation of the goods without substitution and to fining the exhibitor. The IWA OutdoorClassics management cannot do anything for its customers any more as soon as the authorities initiated the criminal investigation. We strongly advise to clarify the correct import and export measures with an experiences freight forwarder beforehand. We recommend SCHENKER to be employed as a freight forwarder because this company is very specialized.
As far as guns are delivered from Germany and they are brought back to Germany after IWA OutdoorClassics again only the inner-German regulations apply. The rules regarding the import and export according the information “Important Information concerning Transport and Presentation of Firearms” are only applicable if items are imported from abroad and re-exported to abroad. It is irrelevant as to that if the exhibitor’s company seat is in Germany or not.
Yes. All firearms must have a permanent individual serial number that must be stated in all import papers and, if applicable, also in the application for a special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) for prohibited firearm.
5. "Main gun parts" / Decoration and salute weapons
Legally, the "main parts" of a firearm are
1. the barrel.
2. the breech:
This is the part directly closing the chamber or the barrel.
In the case of separable breeches, both the breech head and the breech carrier are essential parts.
3. the cartridge chamber, if this is not already part of the barrel.
4. the housing:
This is the component that accommodates the barrel, the trigger mechanism and the breech.If the housing is composed of an upper and a lower housing part, both parts are "main parts". For handguns (total length up to 60 cm/23.6"), the lower part of the housing is called the frame; if it is intended to accommodate the trigger mechanism, it is a "main part", too.
Semi-automatic long guns (total length over 60 cm/23.6") also often have an upper and lower housing part (upper and lower receiver, for example with M16/AR-15 style semi-auto rifles). Both parts, even separate from each other, are also "main parts" within the meaning of German weapons law then.
These "main parts" within the meaning of the law (NOT also stock, grip plates, springs and screws etc.!) are legally equal to the actual firearms, even as separate individual parts. The import and export of such "main parts" for presentation purposes at IWA OutdoorClassics is therefore subject to the same regulations as the import and export of the respective complete firearm.
Silencers are equal to the essential parts and thus to firearms. They are therefore subject to licensing. With regard to their import, exhibition at IWA OutdoorClassics and re-export, they must be treated in the same way as firearms requiring a permit.
Please note: Silencers for war weapons according to the War Weapons Control Act (KrWaffKontrG) are classified as prohibited items! A special exception permit of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has to be applied for these silencers.
According to the new implementing regulation (EU) 2015/2403, it must be ensured that firearms of any kind are rendered permanently unusable by deactivation. The criteria to be observed in this regard are almost unmanageable. In your own interest, such decorative weapons shall not be presented at IWA OutdoorClassics and brought/imported for exhibition purposes. If it is absolutely necessary to bring them, you should treat them like live firearms with regard to import, presentation and re-export, and to observe the regulations being relevant for these. For the presentation of gun attachments at IWA OutdoorClassics, such as optics etc., please use so-called Red Guns or Blue Guns or similar items that are not subject to German weapon laws.
The new criteria to be observed when converting a live firearm into a salute weapon are almost unmanageable. In your own interest, such salute weapons shall not be presented at IWA OutdoorClassics and brought/imported for exhibition purposes. If it is absolutely necessary to bring them, you should treat them like live firearms with regard to import, presentation and re-export, and to observe the regulations being relevant for these.
