Pocket Knife 🇩🇪 Germany
Allowed if blade ≤ 12 cm and non-locking; carry restrictions in public
Can I bring Pocket Knife into Germany?
Allowed if blade ≤ 12 cm and non-locking; carry restrictions in public
Full details
Under the German Weapons Act (Waffengesetz), single-edged folding knives with a blade up to 12 cm and no one-handed-opening locking mechanism are generally allowed in luggage. Locking one-handed-openable folding knives are restricted from being carried in public (§42a WaffG). Fixed-blade knives over 12 cm and any switchblade / butterfly / push-dagger styles are prohibited from import or possession.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 250–5000 EUR
- Civil penalty only
Occasional — Enforcement reported intermittently.
Leaving Germany with pocket knife
A personal pocket knife faces no export formality from Germany when packed in checked baggage — blades of any size are prohibited from cabin baggage under aviation security rules worldwide. The practical constraints are destination-side: public-carry laws vary sharply (blade-length limits, locking-blade bans, and "good reason" requirements in countries such as the UK), and some jurisdictions treat certain knife types (automatic, gravity, butterfly) as prohibited weapons at import.
Pack any pocket knife in checked luggage. If you carry one in public for a 'legitimate purpose' (work, sport), be ready to explain — fishing, camping and culinary tools are common acceptable purposes.
Blade ≤ 12 cm, non-locking, single-edged
Waffengesetz (WaffG) §42a, Annex 1
This page covers destination customs rules in Germany. Whether you can carry pocket knife through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Pocket Knife rules in other countries
Pocket Knife
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Folding blades under 3 inches permitted in public. Locking knives and longer blades restricted.
Pocket Knife
🇦🇺 Australia
Non-locking folding knives generally permitted
Pocket Knife
🇯🇵 Japan
Blades over 6cm prohibited under Firearms and Swords Control Law
Pocket Knife
🇸🇬 Singapore
Offensive weapons prohibited under Arms & Explosives Act
Pocket Knife
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Bladed weapons prohibited under Federal Penal Code
Pocket Knife
🇺🇸 United States
Legal to bring; TSA prohibits in carry-on