Pepper Spray → Germany

Legal for personal protection if labelled as animal repellent. Subject to restrictions.

Details

Pepper spray is legal in Germany if it is specifically marketed and labelled as a 'Tierabwehrspray' (animal deterrent spray), not as a weapon for use against people. Sprays marketed explicitly for self-defence against humans may be classified as weapons and require a firearms licence under German law. EU-made OC sprays labelled as animal deterrents and carrying a PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) test mark are widely sold and legal to carry. Concentration limits apply. Travellers importing pepper spray labelled as self-defence against humans from outside Germany may have it confiscated. Carry in checked baggage only — carry-on sprays at German airports are confiscated regardless.

Quantity limit

Personal quantities; typically one canister

Documentation required

• Waffenbesitzkarte (WBK) if carrying human-use formulation

Legal reference

German Weapons Act (Waffengesetz); ATSG (Allgemeines Sicherheitsgütezeichen) labelling requirements

Practical advice

If travelling to Germany with pepper spray, ensure it is in checked luggage and labelled as animal repellent with appropriate certification. Sprays labelled as human self-defence may be confiscated.

Customs authority

Zollkriminalamt / Zoll (German Customs — Federal Customs Administration) · https://www.zoll.de