I read about the possibility of getting a permit which would allow a non-German to either fly or drive through Germany with a prohibited (airsoft) gun. But - I had a lot of trouble actually finding out how to get it. There is a PDF floating around online stating that you need a mitnahmeerlaubnis (permit) but it did not say who to talk to.
I contacted the German embassy in the United States, and although they responded quickly, they responded with the following:
So since I have my layover at the Frankfurt Airport, I had to contact the Ordnungsamt for Frankfurt.Transport and Import of Weapons from the U.S. to the EU:
The regulations pertaining to the import of firearms and ammunition to Germany also apply to the transit of such objects through Germany to another EU member state or to a third country.
In these cases, a transport permit is required from the authorities responsible for the border crossing point.
If the weapons and/or ammunition are to be brought into another member state, this permit will generally require the prior consent of the affected member state.
A permit is generally needed to transport weapons and ammunition to/through the Federal Republic of Germany.
To this end, a written application is to be submitted to the competent regulatory agency prior to travel. (In case of air travel, the regulatory agency/weapons oversight authority at the point of entry)
You will find the competent regulatory agencies at:
http://www.ortsdienst.de/Ordnungsamt
The regulatory agency reviews the application and sends it by e-mail to the applicant.
The approved application entitles the applicant to transport, import, and transit with weapons and ammunition to/through the Federal Republic of Germany and is to be presented, unasked, to the German customs authorities upon entry into the country.
This transport, import, and transit permit is also needed for connecting flights to third countries (non-EU member states) when the weapons are being briefly handed over to the passenger by the airline at the German airport. This applies to the transit area itself as well as when leaving the transit area.
In case of some flights from the United States via Germany to other states, the traveler has to leave the transit area in Frankfurt when transferring because the baggage and weapons are not directly transferred to the connecting flight. The weapons are handed over to the traveler, the traveler then leaves the transit area and has to check in again. For this reason, the transport, import, and transit permit is absolutely necessary.
http://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.p ... lt]=102699
But it was not readily apparent which department within the Ordungsamt to contact. When I called I left a message but no one returned my calls. So I also decided to contact German Customs (Zoll.) After a few calls I was transferred to Dresden (their English speaking line is unavailable any more.) I was able to explain what I needed and I was given the direct number for the Team Leader for German weapons permits at the Ordnungsamt. Unfortunately, no matter when I called (I have to get up early to call Germany) I did not receive a call back. A little Google searching on the phone number brought up this page:
http://www.frankfurt.de/sixcms/detail.p ... lt]=102246
And so I started calling the other numbers. I did not find anyone who spoke English I was able to convey in my bad German what I needed. Within 5 minutes I received the permit application in E-mail. I submitted it and the following day I received my approved permit. It allows me to transport my airsoft guns specified on the permit and is even automatically extended if my flight is delayed. They needed my passport information, home address, flight numbers to and from Sweden, and the make/model/serial number/caliber of my airsoft guns. It was a very simple form to fill out. When I returned it via e-mail I also included a copy of my airline itinerary and a scanned copy of my passport.
The permit is titled "Erlaubnisschein Mitnahme vonWaffen und Munition in/durch die Bundesrepublik Deutschland."
So if you want to transport your airsoft weapons through Germany, you will need to get permission from the Ordnugsamt that controls the airport you will fly through. If you are driving, you will have to get a permit from both the Ornungsamt that you will enter Germany on your trip to Berget and also from the one that you will enter Germany on your trip back.
Search http://www.ortsdienst.de/Ordnungsamt to find the Ordnungsamt (you can also search on the city and with the word waffenangelegenheiten). It is the same department that issues permits for Germans who wish to own real firearms. You can also contact German Customs (Zoll) http://www.zoll.de/kontakt/index.html
The permit(s) comes in e-mail from a faxed copy. It must be presented to the German Customs even if they do not ask for it!
I hope this helps my fellow players!