Flying with a rifle to Germany for driven Boar

[Olaf]

Custom Forms Links - in both cases you must carry your FAC and invitation letter with you. Although I have never been stopped and asked to produce documents you never know.

Via Eurotunnel you must declare on English side who then copy passport and FAC and stamp windscreen hanger to show French Border Force where you go for passport stamping next. At the French end you are straight out onto the motorway system - no checks.

France (Download complete and carry): Cerfa n° 15678 - Document d'accompagnement en cas de déclaration verbale pour l'admission temporaire

Holland (via email + copies of FAC/ Invite/ Travel Tickets) : Application Consent for weapons and ammunition with an Annex to question 7 (Model WM 18 c)

Thanks, that link for Holland is a very useful thing .
Kindest regards, Olaf

 

[Olaf]

I wish the European Firearms Pass was still available!!

I flew back from Berlin last Sunday. Although I have a FAC, and my host assisted me with the renewal of my Auslander Jagdshein (visitors hunting licence) and a written invitation, the import/export approval process in Germany for individuals from a 3rd country (non-German and non-EU) weapons changed recently. I did not take my rifle and borrowed an estate rifle. In years gone by I would send a completed "Antrag auf Erteilung einer Mitnahmeerlaubnis" and pay a small fee to local police firearm's team. This form lasted for 12 months but was limited to the number of border entries (e.g. 1, 2, 3 or more).



This appears to be no longer the case. The change in law/process is not well documented (or at least I have not found information online). With the assistance of my German hosts, it appears that the Customs side is now handled by German Customs (www.zoll.de) and there is an online form to complete (it appears to replace the old Antrag referenced in a post above).

In my case, I fly in and out of Berlin - see links below which are available in English and German. I did not actually apply as I ran out of time trying to work things out but did dry run the form to understand what was required. It is very similar to the Antrag. The new form (accessible for Berlin entry in the 3rd link below) requires you to transcribe line entries from your FAC corresponding to the firearms you are taking and to provide a Berlin address. The form has 3 variants (import, export or transit). I think you need to complete the transit version. It is a one-time entry form for specified dates and does not appear to cover multiple entries. There is a file upload facility to upload copies of your passport, FAC, invitation, Auslander Jagdshein etc. In relation to ammunition, officially they only accept boxed factory ammo (i.e. CIP certified). It appears that the processing fee is ca €50 from memory. FYI the import/export certificate is insufficient to purchase ammo in Germany - so take what you need or ask your host to purchase.

https://www.zoll.de/EN/Businesses/Movement-of-goods/Import/Restrictions/Goods/Weapons-and-explosive-substances/Weapons-and-ammunition/weapons-and-ammunition.html

Weapons and ammunition - Competent authorities in terms of weapons legislation

Weapons legislation – Applying for a relocation permit - Services - Service Berlin - Berlin.de

While this change is frustrating for lack of a FAQ, my last experience with a weapon could not have been easier. The customs police were friendly, fast and efficient. I may fully dry the approval process to better understand what further requests are made by Zoll/Berlin police.

I have no idea what you need to do if your entry port is not Berlin....for what it is worth the information requirements are not dissimilar to what the UK expects from visitors with firearms. Hope this is helpful...

This and other posts on this thread are very good and helpful references for future trips. Nice of people to take the time to write their findings down.
I agree though, the EFP was such a liberating document that enabled freedom of movement
For hunting or sporting gun users. Still , the uk got Brexit, I’m not too sure what that’s brought other than problems and restrictions but that’s how it is eh.
Kindest regards, Olaf

 

[Olaf]

Hi Olaf, If you plan on driving and want to transit through Holland you will need to complete the form below online:

Application Consent for weapons and ammunition

Request a consent for the entry into, the exit of, or the transit through the Netherlands for (parts of) weapons and/or ammunition.

www.belastingdienst.nl

They were very quick and I think it took about two weeks, as I said you only need this to go through Holland otherwise your UK FAC should suffice.

As I went to a part of Germany near Frankfurt I had no need to go through Holland in the end. I asked in Germany what was required and was told a valid 14 day Tagesjagdschein together with my Shoot invite and UK FAC was satisfactory.

This video produced by Fieldsports Britain was very useful too

How to cross the UK border with guns post Brexit

The French Customs at Eurotunnel couldn't have been more helpful and were more interested in whether my HS would bite them if they stroked him.

Hope this helps

Steve

Thanks for writing this, it will be very helpful for friends wanting to visit Germany with me.
Kindest regards, Olaf

 

[Edward LC]

Thank you to Olaf and everyone for all of the advice, I ended up borrowing a rifle with a document from the host again this time.

A great 3 days in the countryside west of Berlin, I had success on roe and had boar run past but no safe shot. Much smaller numbers this year than previous, apparently due to an increase in wolves - one was even seen on the first day.

Good to know about the visitor weapons permit, I'll enquire through the Kreishaus who did my visitor jagdshein for next time (although they will have probably changed the rules again by then!)

Waidmannsdank,
Edward