Regulations for taking airguns on aeroplanes - Anyone?

[Manco 16]

Has anyone recent experience of carrying airguns on airplanes as checked baggage? I hope to be able to take an air rifle with me on a flight from the UK to South Africa next year. It will be sub-12fpe (legal limit in UK) and no licence or police permit is required for it in SA. A few things I do know: any air cylinder has to be empty;the airgun must be unloaded it has to be enclosed in a suitable locking hard case. If anyone is able to quote chapter and verse on this I would be grateful. I have written to the airline I will be traveling with (Air France/KLM) but have not received a reply. Unfortunately my BASC membership expired when I left the UK otherwise I would contact their legal/advisory service which I have found to be very good. Thanks in advance if you are able to advise.

[riohog 5,712]

to the best of my knomledge it is still clased as a firearm ....but ultimatly the conditions of travel are down to the airline , and there requirments for carrage . till you get an answer off klm /air france you wont really know !

good luck

[ArchieHood 3,692]

Taken from AirFrance/KLM website....

 

.....Hunting rifles for sport use

Air rifles and hunting rifles are regulated weapons.

Their transport requires specific authorization and an accord. Indicate these items when reserving your trip (by telephone or at an agency) to obtain the necessary transport accord.

 

Hunting rifles must be unloaded and packed separately from ammunition. You must indicate these items at check-in.

 

This material is included in the baggage allowance.

 

To transport a rifle, you must hold: - a firearms license, to be shown at check-in, - the documents necessary for the transport of weapons and ammunition (export/import licenses, authorizations delivered by local and national authorities).

 

Hope this sheds some light.

[pianoman 3,587]

Hi Manco.

The advices given is sound but you must persist with trying to get a straight answer from your intended airline/carrier as the regs for carrying airguns and cartridge firearms is being continually reviewed in the light of the global terrorism situation. Any valid answer today is likely to be obsolete next week!

 

ATB

 

Simon

[rossi_j 99]

I know that it wont be going in hand luggage, if thats any help.

I am of the same opinion as these guys, get a straght answer from your air line and if posible in writeing e.g email printed out, so they dont try and worm out of anything at the check in.

.atb. .ste.

[Manco 16]

Taken from AirFrance/KLM website....

 

.....Hunting rifles for sport use

Air rifles and hunting rifles are regulated weapons.

Their transport requires specific authorization and an accord. Indicate these items when reserving your trip (by telephone or at an agency) to obtain the necessary transport accord.

 

Thanks Archie, it seems air guns which require no licence or police permit and are NOT classed as firearms by the civil authorities in SA and UK are counted as "regulated weapons" by the airline. Of course this is nonsense. I will persist with Air France as you suggest. Thanks to you and others who have responded.

Cheers, Chris

[rossi_j 99]

Hey manco, just wonderd if you got a definative answer from them and what it was?

.atb. .ste.