Article 7
1. Before issuing an export authorisation for firearms, their parts and essential components and ammunition, the Member State concerned shall verify that: (a) the importing third country has authorised the relevant import; and (b) the third countries of transit, if any, have given notice in writing — and at the latest prior to shipment — that they have no objection to the transit. This provision does not apply: — to shipments by sea or air and through ports or airports of third countries provided that that there is no transhipment or change of means of transport, — in the case of temporary exports for verifiable lawful purposes, which include hunting, sport shooting, evaluation, exhibitions without sale, and repair. 2. Member States may decide that, if no objections to the transit are received within 20 working days from the day of the written request for no objection to the transit submitted by the exporter, the consulted third country of transit shall be regarded as having no objection to the transit. 3. The exporter shall supply the competent authority of the Member State responsible for issuing the export authorisation with the necessary documents proving that the importing third country has authorised the import and that the third country of transit had no objection to the transit. 4. Member States shall process applications for export authorisations within a period of time to be determined by national law or practice, which shall not exceed 60 working days, from the date on which all required information has been provided to the competent authorities. Under exceptional circumstances and for duly justified reasons, that period may be extended to 90 working days. 5. The period of validity of an export authorisation shall not exceed the period of validity of the import authorisation. Where the import authorisation does not specify a period of validity, except under exceptional circumstances and for duly justified reasons, the period of validity of an export authorisation shall be at least nine months. 6. Member States may decide to make use of electronic documents for the purpose of processing the applications for export authorisation.