Import, export and transit measures for firearms, their essential components and ammunition: implementation of Article 10 of the UN Firearms Protocol. Recast

PURPOSE: to update EU rules on the import, export and transit of firearms into and from the EU.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2025/41 of the European Parliament and of the Council on import, export and transit measures for firearms, essential components and ammunition, implementing Article 10 of the United Nations Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UN Firearms Protocol) (recast).

CONTENT: this Regulation lays down rules governing import and export authorisation, and import, export and transit measures for listed goods, for the purpose of implementing Article 10 of the United Nations Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (the ‘UN Firearms Protocol’).

The revised firearms regulation aims to limit firearms trafficking by having common rules and licencing and authorisation procedures, coordinated controls and better traceability of firearms for civilian use. This will prevent legally manufactured and exported civilian firearms from being diverted into the illegal market.

Scope

Firearms classified in Categories A (prohibited firearms), B (firearms subject to authorisation) or C (firearms and other weapons subject to declaration) are included in the scope, except when they are intended for the armed forces, the police or public authorities. The new Regulation will not apply to exports of category A firearms (and related items, such as ammunitions and components). Exports of category B firearms destined for the armed forces, the police, or the public authorities will not fall under the scope of the regulation. Firearms classified in Category C  sent to third countries will, on the other hand, be included in the scope of the new rules.

Main elements of the Regulation

The new Regulation:

- provides for the proper recording firearms-related information;

- maintains strong powers for the competent national authorities; clarifies the role of the licensing authorities and improves cooperation between law enforcement (including customs) and licensing authorities;

- systematises data collection on international movements of firearms as well as seized weapons;

- regulates more strictly ‘semi-finished’ firearms or components that can be converted into lethal firearms at home;

- provides for an end-user certificate for more dangerous firearms;

- establishes clear and common procedures for the import, export and transit of firearms and allows for simplified and digitalised procedures for hunters, sport shooters and exhibitors;

- adds an authorisation procedure for temporary imports and exports of firearms;

- stipulates that any person holding a European firearms pass may import goods listed in Annex I into the customs territory of the Union without an import authorisation;

- provides that the competent authority may refuse to grant an import authorisation if the applicant is a natural person and has a criminal record mentioning conduct constituting one of the offences listed in Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA, provided that it constitutes an offence punishable by a maximum penalty of at least four years' imprisonment;

- provides for the establishment of a new electronic licensing system at EU level, which will save time for applicants and simplify the authorisation procedure. Member States will be able to maintain their existing national electronic authorisation systems, provided that they are linked to the electronic licensing system set up to digitalise authorisation procedures. A longer period is foreseen for the establishment and interconnection of the national authorisation systems with the common electronic system for issuing authorisations.

Lastly, each Member State will transmit to the Commission each year the following information: (i) the number of import and export authorisations it has granted in the previous year; (ii) the number of refusals of export authorisations during the previous year and the reasons for these refusals; and (iii) the number of infringements and sanctions related to the application of the Regulation.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 11.2.2025.

APPLICATION: from 12.2.2029.