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Rich & Ripp

The answer to your question is twofold:
- Short term import: As long as you own your rifles lawfully (with proof of registration in your country) you can travel to and within European Community (EC) countries for hunting purposes without much hindrance. In France, one have to apply for one 'European registered rifle passport' ('Carte Europeenne d'Arme a Feu' in French) for travelling for hunting purposes within the EC for short duration hunting trips; I assume that the rule should be pretty much the same in other EC countries. Ripp, your outfitter in Spain should be able to give you more precise guidance and facilitate your arrival.
- Long term import: Importing rifles within the EC for residency purposes is another story. In France, there is the requirement for obtaining an import licence from the Customs and, in order to apply for that licence, there is the pre-requisite to demonstrate that one can own rifles lawfully by either having a French hunting licence or being the member of a French registered shooting club. Again, I assume that the rule is pretty much the same within all EC countries (also some are not really gun-owner friendly). Rich, I would advise you to check through your Consulate in Germany what are the precise in-country requirements for owning and importing rifles before preparing your relocation.

In both cases I am not sure that proof have much importance as long has rifles bear any kind of internationally recognised proof stamps. I am personally owning rifles with pre-1925 British, pre-1945 Austrian and pre-1945 German proof stamps; there was never the requirement for having them re-proofed in France when I get them registered.

I hope that this will help.

Regards.

Louis

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"Everything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger"

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