The second-hand firearms market in Poland and Europe: where to look, how to buy, and what to watch out for

A brand-new firearm straight from the factory means certainty, a warranty, and no surprises. But not every model is available in Polish shops, not every budget can handle a distributor's price list, and some firearms simply haven't been in production for years. That is why the second-hand firearms market has been attracting growing interest in Poland, among sport shooters, hunters, and collectors alike.

In this article we take a close look at Polish and European sources of used firearms. We describe how domestic transactions work, what the foreign market (especially Germany) has to offer, and how to legally bring a firearm from another EU country into Poland. Everything is based on current legislation and procedures that have been tested in practice.

The Polish second-hand market: platforms, forums, and private sales

Poland has several dedicated classified-ad platforms for firearms. The largest and longest-established is NetGun.pl, which describes itself as "Poland's biggest classifieds service for shooters and collectors." You will find listings for handguns, long guns, muzzleloaders, optics, ammunition, and accessories. The platform works as a simple ad board: you post an offer, the buyer gets in touch, and the two of you sort out the rest between yourselves.

The second major platform is GunDay.pl, which offers both a "Buy Now" format (fixed price) and auctions. GunDay.pl holds a Ministry of the Interior firearms trading licence (no. B-059/2023), giving it formal standing in the industry.

A newer player is eGun.pl (not to be confused with the German eGun.de), a Polish classifieds site divided into handguns, long guns, muzzleloaders, and optics. It works similarly to NetGun but with a more modern interface.

It is also worth checking OtoBroń.pl, which, on top of sales listings for firearms, ammunition, and accessories, runs a search engine for shooting ranges, shops, and shooting events. It is more than a simple ad board: the platform positions itself as a central hub for the Polish shooting community.

ArmyBazar.eu is a free classifieds portal with a broader profile. Alongside firearms and ammunition you will find military clothing, military equipment, airsoft gear, historical weapons, and replicas. Useful if you are interested in militaria and collecting as well, not just firearms.

Beyond platforms, shooting forums play an important role. On forum-bron.pl, braterstwo.eu, and elaboracja.pl, both sales listings and discussions about conducting transactions safely appear regularly. Forums are a goldmine of practical knowledge, though you need to distinguish user experience from binding law.

What does a private sale between individuals look like?

The Polish Firearms and Ammunition Act of 21 May 1999 (consolidated text: Dz.U. 2024 item 485) regulates this clearly:

• Art. 21(1): Firearms and corresponding ammunition may be transferred between individuals who hold permits for the same category of firearm.
• Art. 12a(1): Firearms or ammunition may be purchased using remote means of communication (i.e. online).
• Art. 12(2): On application from a permit holder, the authorities issue a certificate authorising the acquisition of a firearm (commonly known as a promesa).

In practice it looks like this: the buyer must hold a valid firearms permit for the relevant category and a promesa issued by the WPA (Wydział Postępowań Administracyjnych, the Administrative Proceedings Department of the Regional Police Command). Before handing over the firearm, the seller should verify the buyer's documents. Both parties draw up a written sale contract. The seller is obliged to notify the police in writing without delay (art. 21(2)), and the buyer must register the firearm within 5 days of acquisition (art. 13(1)).

The handover most often takes place in person, at a shooting range or a firearms shop. Shipping a firearm by post within Poland is permitted, but only through a licensed postal operator (art. 36(1)). Detailed conditions for mailing firearms are set out in a 2012 Ministry of the Interior regulation.

Europe: key sources, platforms, and trade shows

The European second-hand firearms market is many times larger than the Polish one, and prices can be noticeably lower. The most important source is eGun.de, a German auction site that operates along lines similar to eBay. On eGun.de you will find thousands of listings from German shops, gunsmiths, and private sellers: sport, hunting, collectible, and historical firearms, optics, and accessories. The site is in German (a browser translator helps with navigation), and many sellers ship internationally, though not all.

Outside Germany, a few other sources are worth knowing:

• Naturabuy.fr (France): an auction site with a wide range of hunting and collectible firearms.
• Armurerie-auxerre.com and other French online armureries.
• Brick-and-mortar and online shops in the Czech Republic, Austria, and the Baltic states, though the offering is more fragmented here.

As for trade shows and fairs, the biggest industry event in Europe is IWA OutdoorClassics in Nuremberg (held 26 February to 1 March in 2026). It is important to know, however, that IWA is a trade-only event. Private individuals cannot attend. Local gun fairs organised at shooting ranges and hunting exhibitions in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic are sometimes open to the public, but dates and rules are worth checking on a case-by-case basis.

How to buy a firearm from Germany: three proven routes

This is the main topic of the article and the most valuable knowledge for anyone who wants to tap into the rich German market but does not know where to start.

Why Germany?

The German used-firearms market is enormous. On eGun.de alone there are several thousand listings available at any given moment. Prices can be significantly lower than in Poland, especially for historical, collectible, and older hunting firearms. As one member of the Łódź Firearms Collectors Association put it: "for a third of the price you would have to pay in Poland."

The key document for any purchase from the EU is the prior transport consent (uprzednia zgoda przewozowa, under art. 37a of the Polish Firearms and Ammunition Act). This is a form in which the Polish WPA confirms that you hold a permit for the relevant category of firearm. The authority certifies the consent within no more than 5 days of receiving the application (art. 37a(3)).

Route 1: The seller on eGun.de ships internationally

Many German sellers (especially shops and gunsmiths) offer international shipping. In the auction description, look for notes such as "EU wide shipping" or "international shipping" next to the "Versand" option.

Procedure:

1. You win the auction or buy the listing on eGun.de and agree the details with the seller.
2. You fill out the prior transport consent and submit it to your WPA for certification.
3. You send the certified consent to the seller in Germany.
4. The seller applies for an export permit (Verbringungsgenehmigung) from their German authority, and once it is granted, dispatches the shipment.
5. You receive the shipment and register the firearm within 5 days of acquisition.

Approximate cost of shipping and formalities on the German side: 80 to 150 EUR (depending on the type of firearm and the seller's policy). Lead time: roughly one and a half to several weeks. The main delay is waiting for the export permit.

Route 2: An export company in Germany

Most private sellers on eGun.de limit shipping to Germany. This is not out of reluctance to sell abroad, but out of reluctance to deal with export paperwork. The solution is an export company that will receive the firearm from the seller and ship it to Poland.

In practice:

1. You win the auction and let the seller know you are using an export company.
2. The seller ships the firearm within Germany to the export company (typically 20 to 40 EUR for a long gun).
3. The export company takes possession of the firearm, handles the export permits, and ships the parcel to you in Poland.
4. You fill out the prior transport consent in the name of the export company, since it is the formal transferor in the cross-border transaction.

Export companies mentioned on shooting forums:

• Krico (krico.eu): a professional firearms export service with full paperwork handling.
• Waffenexport24 (waffenexport24.de): a company based in Bockenberg.
• Waffen Bock: a cheaper option; users on braterstwo.eu confirm it still ships to Poland.

Approximate cost of the export service: roughly 100 to 200 EUR per firearm (including transport). When shipping several firearms in one parcel, the per-unit price drops. It is worth comparing offers and asking for an up-to-date price list, since rates change.

Route 3: A Polish shop with full-service brokerage

Some Polish firearms shops maintain ongoing partnerships with German dealers and offer turnkey brokerage. A well-known example in the community is Raj dla Myśliwego (skleprajdlamysliwego.pl) in Słupsk.

Raj dla Myśliwego is an unusual case on the Polish market. The shop is run by a family with Polish-German roots: one brother is a gunsmith in Hamburg (the firm Trammund & Hinners), and the other runs the shop in Słupsk. This gives them direct access to the German firearms market, including eGun.de.

In practice it works like this: you point out what you are interested in (a specific auction or a type of firearm), and the shop handles the purchase, export formalities, and importation to Słupsk. You pick it up at the shop or, depending on the arrangement, the firearm is forwarded to a partner shop closer to where you live.

Approximate brokerage cost: around 130 EUR per firearm, collection in Słupsk or shipping to a partner shop.

This is the most convenient option because you do not need to contact the German seller yourself or keep track of the paperwork. You pay more, but you save time and hassle.

Comparison of the three routes for buying from Germany

	Seller ships directly	Export company	Polish brokerage shop
Who handles the paperwork?	You (transport consent) + seller (export permit)	You (transport consent) + export company (the rest)	The shop handles virtually everything
Approximate cost	80–150 EUR	100–200 EUR	approx. 130 EUR
Approximate lead time	2–4 weeks	3–6 weeks	2–5 weeks
Best for	Experienced buyers who speak German	Those who want to buy from a private seller	Those who prefer convenience and no language barrier
Limitation	Not every seller ships internationally	Additional intermediary cost	Few shops offer this service

All amounts are approximate. Check current pricing before purchasing.

Buying in person abroad

Firearms from the EU can also be purchased in person by visiting a brick-and-mortar shop in Germany, the Czech Republic, or Austria. This is an option for those who want to inspect the firearm before buying, for instance during a trade show or a trip.

The legal basis for bringing a firearm into Poland is the same prior transport consent (art. 37a). The procedure: you obtain the consent from your WPA, travel to the seller, buy the firearm, and the seller arranges the export permit, after which the firearm comes to Poland (by post or with you, depending on the arrangement and transit regulations). Once back, you register the firearm within 5 days.

In practice, personal collection in Germany can be difficult. German sellers are reluctant to hand a firearm directly to someone without a German permit and usually prefer to send it by post.

Red flags and transaction safety

Whether you are buying in Poland or abroad, several rules are universal:

• Always verify the other party's documents. In a domestic transaction: firearms permit, promesa, ID card. When buying from abroad: the seller's licence, their feedback on the platform.
• Do not buy from anyone who avoids meeting in person and wants to handle everything anonymously. In a domestic transaction, a face-to-face meeting is practically essential.
• On eGun.de, check the seller's feedback, transaction history, and ratings. If the photos are blurry, the description is sparse, and the seller will not send additional pictures, consider walking away.
• Avoid deals that seem "too good to be true." This applies especially to historical and collectible firearms.
• Keep all documents. The contract, invoices, transfer confirmations, and proof of delivery (the delivery date marks the start of the 5-day registration deadline).
• When having a firearm shipped from abroad, make sure the seller is licensed. Private individuals abroad cannot send you a firearm directly. The shipment must go through a licensed entity (a seller who holds a licence, or an export company).

After the purchase: registration and compliance with Polish law

Registration

Art. 13(1) of the Polish Firearms and Ammunition Act: the buyer is obliged to register the firearm within 5 days of the date of acquisition. The deadline runs from the day you actually receive the firearm (e.g. taking delivery of the parcel), not from the day you paid or won the auction.

You register at the authority competent to issue firearms permits (usually the Regional Police Command, WPA). You will need proof of acquisition (a contract or invoice). Registration is confirmed by an entry in the firearms holder's identity card.

Technical compliance and magazines

A firearm purchased abroad must fall within the scope of your permit: the correct type (handgun or long gun), purpose (sport, hunting, or collecting), and a calibre covered by the permit. If in doubt, consult your WPA before buying.

It is worth knowing that Polish law does not impose a general magazine-capacity limit on permit holders. Capacity restrictions (e.g. 10 or 20 rounds) are regulations in force in certain other EU countries, including Germany (for semi-automatic centrefire firearms). If you buy a firearm from Germany with a restricted magazine, remember that in Poland you may legally use higher-capacity magazines, provided they fall within the scope of your permit.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How much does it cost to bring a firearm from eGun.de to Poland?

It depends on the route. If the seller ships internationally: roughly 80 to 150 EUR. Through an export company: 100 to 200 EUR (plus 20 to 40 EUR for transport within Germany). Through a Polish brokerage shop: around 130 EUR per firearm. All amounts are approximate; check current pricing.

How long does the whole process take?

From purchase to delivery: usually 2 to 6 weeks. The main unknown is the time it takes for the German side to issue the export permit. With brokerage shops it can be faster, since they have established procedures.

Can I buy a firearm from a non-EU country, such as Switzerland or the USA?

Yes, but the procedure is different and more complicated. Among other things, a certificate from the Polish consul is required (art. 37), and transport is subject to customs clearance. That is a topic for a separate article.

Does a warranty apply on the second-hand market?

When buying from a private individual: no. When buying from a shop or a licensed dealer: statutory warranty rules apply, but in practice the extent of protection depends on the contract. Always ask about the technical condition and history of the firearm before buying.

Does Polish law restrict magazine capacity?

Polish law does not impose a general magazine-capacity limit on permit holders. Capacity restrictions familiar from countries like Germany do not apply in Poland.

To wrap up

The second-hand firearms market in Poland and Europe is a sea of possibilities: from bargain rifles to rare collectible pieces that simply are not available new. With a little patience and knowledge of the procedures, buying from abroad is simpler than it seems. The key is diligence: check documents, verify sellers, keep to registration deadlines, and do not skip any step of the formalities.

And once the new firearm has found its place in your safe, it is worth making sure it is within reach when you need it. At Slinger we make magnetic gun mounts and magazine holders designed for quick access and a tidy safe. No paperwork, no permits, no formalities: just a practical accessory that makes a difference in everyday use. Have a look at slingerstore.com if you want to see what it is all about.

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Legal status: August 2026. This article is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Legislation cited is based on the consolidated text of the Polish Firearms and Ammunition Act (Dz.U. 2024 item 485). If in doubt, consult the relevant WPA (Wydział Postępowań Administracyjnych, the Administrative Proceedings Department) of your Regional Police Command.