Travel With Firearms

Travel with firearms to Africa can be quite a daunting exercise that really needs to be right to avoid getting your rifles turned away at check-in, lost in transit, impounded or damaged.

The Type Of Firearm And Calibre

• It's worth checking if your selected hunting firearms are actually legitimate for travel and admission into your destination and any transit country. This really only applies to hunters intending to use handguns or semi-automatic firearms.

• Technically all international airlines are not permitted to carry any firearms that may match ex-military, current military calibres or indeed any calibre ever used by the military historically. Airlines differ in their stringency of applying this regulation. As an example, British Airways will not carry .308 sport hunting rifles because of the close relationship to the 7.62 military calibre. If you want to try to travel with a .308 calibre rifle, double check with the airline that it is acceptable as a 'sporting rifle' and get it in writing (as a sporting .308) in case anyone queries it when you check in.

Firearm Documentation To Carry With You

Hunters whose firearm permits to their African destination have been obtained in advance by their outfitter, will have already obtained and submitted copies of their firearm documentation to the outfitter. The original documents will still need to travel with you in case they need to be produced for security or other reasons.

Hunters who will be getting their firearm permits on arrival in their destination country or who need an in-transit permit in South Africa, definitely need to make sure they are carrying all the correct firearm documentation.

• For US hunters only. US Customs Form 4457 (Certificate Of Registration For Personal Effects Taken Abroad). This form lists all your firearms (as well as any other items you want on it, like cameras etc) with the serial numbers and serves as proof that you owned them before you left home. You will need to take the firearms to your local CBP office where the form will be completed and certified. This can be also done at an international airport on departure. Once certified, US Customs Form 4457 can be retained for future travel. Sample US Customs Form 4457
• For hunters of all other nationalities. Firearm Licence/Permit/Certificate from their home country which serves as proof of ownership. For British hunters with UK Firearm Certificates, make sure your FAC is updated with the firearms coming to Africa entered into Section 1, Part i, as fully possessed, rather than in the dealer's handwritten section, as sold to you.
• If you are intending to get your RSA firearm import permit on arrival, make sure you are in possession of the letter of invitation from your outfitter. See the section on South Africa in Firearm Import Regulations For African Hunting Countries
• Firearm Insurance documents. It is very important to get your firearms adequately insured for travel in Africa.

Packing Firearms

• Make sure your firearms are packed in a gun case that fully complies with the firearm carriage regulations of the all the airlines you may travel with to and within Africa.
• The firearm must be unloaded.
• The firearm must be in a hard-sided gun case
.
• The gun case must be locked securely so the firearm may not be accessed by anyone other than yourself. Make sure the gun case can not be pulled open in any way, even partially.
• Travelling within or from the US only. TSA recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the gun case. Alternatively use TSA approved locks. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft.
• Re-check all the carriage of firearms regulations just before travelling with your specific airline(s) in case there are any changes.

Travel With Ammunition

It has recently become clear there are major variations in the carriage of ammunition between different airlines, between the regulations published on airline websites and their interpretation by individual airline check-in personnel and indeed, the presently sporadically-applied EU regulation 185/2010 (as of 4th March 2010) (Attachment 5-B - Hold Baggage - List of Prohibited Articles) not permitting any ammunition to be carried in hold luggage on EU commercial airlines.

• The only sensible advice is to comply with all the official airline ammunition carriage regulations for all airlines (and the TSA, if flying from the US) that you may use to, within and from Africa. Carrying printed copies of your airline's published regulations may help in situations where an official has different take on them but the most obdurate officials may still brush these aside.
• Then be prepared for all contingencies at the time of travel - have your ammo capable of being packed in an unlocked box in your locked suitcase, packed in a locked box in your locked suitcase, packed in a locked box in your locked gun case, packed in an unlocked box in your locked gun case and finally, locked in a secure metal travel ammo box to be checked separately as hold luggage.
• Take plenty of spare padlocks, keys and use ammo boxes that will pack to satisfy the individual check-in person or security officer if they start to quibble. It surely is not worth arguing even if you know they are definitely wrong.

Packing Ammunition

• The major airlines allow you to carry a maximum of 11lbs/5kg of ammunition per person. This is a gross weight including the box/case.
• The ammunition must be carried by the person travelling with the firearm(s) and may not be carried by an accompanying person who is not travelling with a firearm.
• If two or more hunters with firearms are travelling together, the ammunition must be packed separately as per person.
• Do not label the suitcase carrying the ammunition, as anything different - especially not as EXPLOSIVES!
• Check the pockets of the clothing you are wearing for travel, especially on your homeward journey, in case a live round or even an empty cartridge case has got into one. Security staff will take a dim view of this when it sets off the metal detectors.
• Re-check all the carriage of ammunition regulations just before travelling with your specific airline(s) in case of changes.

Travelling within or from the US only:

• Securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. The original manufacturers ammunition packaging is ideal as the cartridges are separated.
• You may carry the ammunition securely boxed in your checked baggage, as long as it is packed as described above.
• Do not use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard).
• You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above.

Check with Transport Security Administration (TSA) for full guidelines for travelling with firearms and ammunition in and from the US.

Most non-US airlines require the ammunition to be packed separately from the firearm, so if you are using a non-US airline, don't put your ammunition in your gun case with the rifle.

Travelling from the rest of the world:

• Ammunition must be packed separately from the firearm. Exception: British Airways seem to permit ammunition to be 'packed in a separate compartment in the gun case'.
• The rounds must be separated from each other, either in the manufacturers box or a purpose-built, well-fitting ammunition box. They must never be loose or in any other container.
• The ammunition box may be packed in your checked baggage.
• It is recommended that you surround the ammunition box with other items in the suitcase so that it does not move around.

Airline Firearms Regulations

• Click on the airline link to take you directly to their individual regulations for carrying firearms. Some are more informative than others on their websites, so it is a good idea to check with your travel agent or call the airline direct.
• It is a good idea to take a printed copy of your airline's published firearms/ammunition regulations with you, in case you come across any airline personnel who have their own ideas on the subject.
• British Airways and Air France make it a condition in their carriage of sporting firearms that you must inform your booking agent at the time the reservation is made, that you intend to carry sporting firearms on your flight(s). This fact must be entered in their reservations data before you depart - it cannot be done when you check-in. Firearms will not be boarded on the flight without this prior notification. It is useful to ask for a copy or print-out showing this notification, in case you come across 'difficult' check-in personnel en route. Check if this is the case with any other airlines you may use.

American Airlines Firearm Regulations Please note: Firearms in checked baggage to/from the United Kingdom are not accepted.

Air France Firearm Regulations Please note: Firearm permit must be shown at check-in. Ammunition must be packed separately from the firearm.

British Airways Firearms Regulations Please note: Notification of firearms at least 72 hours before travel. Increased check-in time. Handling charge £50 per firearm and separate ammo case. Firearms may be packed in locked suitcase. Special conditions for firearms to/from South Africa. Each firearm carried must be accompanied by firearms certificate. No additional cost for ammunition packed in your checked baggage or in a separate compartment in the gun case!

Continental Firearms Regulations Please note: For travel to/from the United Kingdom firearms must be packed in a hard rifle case.

Delta Firearm Regulations Please note Delta does not approve of TSA locks on firearms cases.

Emirates Firearm Regulations Please note: Approval for firearms must be obtained at least 3 days before travel. Transit with firearms in Dubai requires prior clearance from the Dubai Airport Police Department and the Department of Civil Aviation.

Iberia Firearm Regulations Please note: Firearms are handled as special baggage with a fixed rate of 75 EUR per flight.

KLM Firearm Regulations 'Special Baggage' webpage is not working so link is to KLM Homepage.

Lufthansa Firearm Regulations Please note: Handling charge for firearms in separate gun cases. Additional charge for handling firearms in South Africa. Contact Lufthansa Airport Ticket Teams for full firearm/ammo information.

Qantas Firearm Regulations

South African Airways Firearm Regulations Please note: Ammunition may be packed in checked baggage but SAA recommend that it be packed in 'lockable cases, which can be handed in as loose items at the firearm counters to avoid possible delays during checked baggage screening'. Check-in agents only issue the relevant baggage tags. Firearm officers conduct inspection and processing of firearms and ammunition for secure handling to the aircraft.

Swiss Firearm Regulations Please note: Advance notice is required for the transportation of ammunition.

TAP Please note: Firearms may be carried as hold luggage but their website says NO ammunition may be carried at all. After further research, we were informed that as from 28 Oct 2010 the Portugese Government has allowed TAP to revert to the usual carriage of sporting ammunition (5kg max, packed separately).

United Airlines Firearm Regulations Please note: TSA locks are not approved by United Airlines for securing firearms.

South African Airlink Firearm Regulations Airlink does not have personnel who may legally handle firearms at all destinations. Firearms may not be transported to Mafikeng, Mthatha, George or Pietermaritzburg. Firearm handling charges of R200 at Kimberley and Upington.

South African Express Firearm Regulations Please note: No firearms may be transported to George Airport

Transiting With Firearms

After obtaining the firearm regulations of your main airline, it is important to check the regulations regarding any onward connection airline and within the airport/country of transit.

Transiting in London:

• If you arrive at one terminal and depart from another in the same UK airport, you will not be allowed to take possession of your firearms. Make arrangement with your airline to transfer the firearms from the terminal of arrival to the terminal of departure or from one airline to another.
• If you arrive at Heathrow Airport and depart from Gatwick Airport or vice versa, you are not allowed to take your firearms with you for the road transfer between the airports. You will need to arrange a bonded courier service, licenced to carry firearms and ammunition, to take your rifles from the point of your arrival to point of departure at the onward airport.
• Go to British International Freight Association (Tel: +44 (0)20 8844 2266) to find a recommended bonded courier.

Transiting in Dubai:

• Prior clearance for transiting with your firearms must be obtained in advance from the Dubai Airport Police Department and the Department of Civil Aviation.

Transiting in Amsterdam:

• A separate consent document must be completed for each transit with firearms through Amsterdam Airport - one for outbound and one for inbound flights, if you are returning through Amsterdam. It is very important you don't forget to apply for your return journey - if you don't have it, the firearms can't travel and you may wait many months before they are returned to you.
• First, download and correctly complete the required number of documents for your trip.
• Download here:Dutch Consent Form
• If you need help, download an Example Dutch Consent Form
• *NEW* The Dutch authorities are now requesting a letter of invitation to hunt from your outfitter. Ask your outfitter to send you a signed letter on headed paper to the effect of where you will be hunting, for how long and with his contact details. This is similar to the letter of motivation/invitation required for a temporary firearms permit in South Africa. Fax this letter to the Dutch Customs Office with your consent forms application.
• Make a copy of your passport photo & details page
• Make a copy of a document proving your ownership of the firearm(s). This can be in the form of the US Customs Form 4457 (Registration of Personal Affects Taken Abroad) OR a letter from your local sheriff OR a your Firearms Certificate or Permit
• Fax all documents to the Customs Office in the Netherlands: 011 3150 523 2183 or 011 3150 523 2159. Don't forget to supply them with a return fax number.
• When your application has been approved a copy of the consent will be returned to by fax. This is one document only and will cover all your transits through Amsterdam.
• Make this application well in advance of your travel and also allow plenty of time for the application to be processed.
• You will need to present the returned consent document at the airport in Amsterdam.
• Make a few copies in case you mislay the only one somewhere.
• For further information or queries, telephone the Dutch Customs Office: at 011 3150 523 2600.

Transiting in South Africa:

• It is very important that you check ahead of travel whether your airline can check your firearms all the way through to your final destination. If they can, you will just stay in-transit, do not go through Customs or go through the temporary firearm import process
• If your airline does not transfer your firearms to your connecting flight, you must collect your firearm and go through the whole entry process.
• This applies if you are also overnighting in South Africa before travelling on to your destination country. See Firearm Import Regulations For African Hunting Countries

Related Topics

• Double Rifles
• Bolt Action Rifles - The basics about the most popular rifles for Africa.
• Adapting Rifle For African Hunting - Tips to 'africanise' your rifle.
• Calibres For Africa - Suitability for species and shooting distance.
• Rifle Sights - Tips on rifle sights for Africa.
• Gun Cases - gun case travel regulations.
• Rifle Cleaning - Advice about rifle cleaning on safari.
• Renting A Rifle - Advice on renting a rifle for an African hunt.
• Shooting Practice - The value of adequate practice before a hunt.
• Firearm Safety - Remembering the rules while on safari.
• Travel With Firearms - Documentation, packing, airline firearm regulations etc.
• Firearm Import Regulations - Firearm import requirements for African hunting countries.
• Rifle Sighting-In - Checking your rifle on arrival.
• Shooting Sticks - How to use them.
• Rifle Slings - To sling or not?