Transport of Items
Weapons, fireworks, medicines and drugs and limits on consumer goods and transportation of selected products to/from the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany
Fireworks
Germany punishes not only unauthorised sale of pyrotechnics but also their unauthorised possession and storage. Unauthorised handling of pyrotechnical devices (including their use and storage) is classified as a crime and can ultimately be punished with a prison sentence.
Germany punishes not only unauthorised sale of pyrotechnics but also their unauthorised possession and storage. Unauthorised handling of pyrotechnical devices (including their use and storage) is classified as a crime and can ultimately be punished with a prison sentence.
If a person travelling to Germany has pyrotechnics with them, it is first and foremost necessary to make sure that all such pyrotechnic devices are certified and bear the CE or BAM mark.
The German legal regulations define several categories of pyrotechnic devices. The prerequisite for handling them is reaching a certain age limit or obtaining a licence.
|
Type of pyrotechnic device
|
Age limit
|
Obligation to hold a licence for handling such pyrotechnic device
|
|---|---|---|
|
Category 1
|
12 years
|
NO
|
|
Category 2
|
18 years
|
YES, in principle [1]
|
|
Category 3
|
18 years
|
YES
|
|
Category 4
|
21 years
|
YES
|
|
Category P1
|
18 years
|
|
|
Category P2
|
21 years
|
YES
|
|
Category T1
|
18 years
|
NO
|
|
Category T2
|
21 years
|
YES
|
On 31 December and 1 January, less stringent requirements apply to the use of pyrotechnic devices in Germany.
[1] A licence is necessary for using (launching) the following pyrotechnic devices from the second category: a) a vibrating object or a vibrating battery with Blitzknallsatz; b) a rocket with more than 20 grams of an explosive substance; c) a flare; and d) pyrotechnic devices containing solely a smoke component. These specified devices are largely included in Category 2.
[2] A licence is only required for Airbageinheit and Gurtstraffereinheit devices from Category P1, if they are not incorporated into a vehicle.