From order to delivery: which documents you need, what the NWR IDs are and how firearms shipping works.
Buying a rifle, shotgun or handgun online – is that even possible? Yes, and it is easier than many people think. However, because firearms requiring a licence may only be handed over to authorised persons, the purchase works a little differently from buying a knife or a riflescope. Here we explain step by step how an order with X-Hunter works.
1. Order as usual
You place the firearm you want in the shopping basket and order quite normally via the checkout. Items requiring purchase authorisation are marked in the shop; at checkout you confirm with a tick that we need your purchase authorisation before shipping. The payment methods available to you are payment in advance (bank transfer), the 25 % down payment for items that can be ordered, and easyCredit.
2. Send your documents
Immediately after your order, you will receive a confirmation by e-mail stating exactly what we need:
- Purchase authorisation: firearms ownership licence (WBK) (with prior entitlement entry if required) or hunting licence – as a copy with all pages containing entries, signatures and seals.
- Identity card: front and back.
- NWR IDs: your person ID and the permit ID of your WBK or hunting licence.
The quickest way is to send a photo or scan to kontakt@x-hunter.de or via WhatsApp – always with your order number. Alternatively, you can send an officially certified copy or the originals by registered post.
3. Which authorisation for which firearm?
That depends on the firearm and your licence. Roughly speaking:
- Hunters acquire their first long gun with a valid annual hunting licence, and every further long gun with their firearms ownership licence. They may also buy sound moderators for long guns with their hunting licence, without a prior entitlement entry in the WBK. They can obtain ammunition for long guns with their hunting licence. For handguns, hunters also need a prior entitlement entry on the green WBK.
- Sport shooters can use the yellow WBK to acquire, among other things, single-shot and repeating long guns; no more than two firearms within six months. Everything else – such as semi-automatics and handguns – requires a prior entitlement entry on the green WBK.
- Green WBK with prior entitlement entry: permits the acquisition of the type of firearm entered within one year.
You will find the complete overview with all special cases on our Purchase authorisation page. If in doubt, simply ask us before ordering.
4. What are the NWR IDs?
Since September 2020, we have reported every firearm sale to the National Firearms Register (NWR). For this, we need two numbers: your person ID (starting with “P”) and the permit ID of the relevant WBK or of your hunting licence (starting with “E”). You can obtain both from your firearms authority. Newly qualified hunters who are not yet in the register provide their full personal details instead.
5. Verification and shipping
As soon as payment and documents have arrived, we check your authorisation. The firearm is then dispatched – exclusively within Germany and by firearms shipping with identity check: the courier hands over the parcel only to you personally, namely to the person and address entered in your documents. We charge €15 per firearm for the identity check service. With the shipping confirmation, you will receive the tracking number and your invoice.
6. After receipt: register it
You must notify your firearms authority of the acquisition within two weeks and have the firearm entered in your WBK – this also applies if you wish to return it. Newly qualified hunters likewise apply for their green WBK within two weeks of their first acquisition.
Our tip
Have your documents ready before you order and send them immediately after your purchase. Your firearm will then usually be with you just a few days later. We are happy to answer questions by e-mail, telephone or WhatsApp – you will find further answers in our frequently asked questions.
Note: This article provides an overview and does not replace legal advice. The current version of the German Weapons Act (WaffG) is decisive.