Flying with firearms and ammunition

[HankBuck]

If you connect to Airlink at JNB headed to Zim or wherever, you will have to remove your ammo case from your checked bag and check it separately. Do NOT use a cheap case if having to leave SA on Airlink.

I was Not required to do this when I hunted in TZ years ago — but know things can “change”

 

[JimP]

That’s putting a lot of trust in an airline employee. I wouldn’t fly internationally without a crush proof case. I previously used a sentry lock box for years and taped around the box to prevent accidental opening. I now use an SKB case. There are a lot of quality cases for +/- $100 to not worry about your ammo in transit and will last many years. I can’t understand why someone paying for a hunt would risk ammo to a lunch box or plastic ammo box.

You have to figure that the only time that your ammo box will be exposed to the baggage gorillas is if you fly where the ammo has to come out of your checked bag.

It was a number of years ago when I read a number of well know members touting the kids lunch box for ammo, but then perhaps they were being picked up in Joberg and didn't have to worry about other airline regulations. On those plastic ammo cans, they are pretty stout once you lock the lid down and use some tape to keep the latch locked down. I'd wager that you could drive a vehicle over it without popping it open. And once again the only time that that gorillas would do anything with it is if you were flying out of Joberg on a airline that required it to fly separately.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Some airlines say 5 kilos including the case, others say 5 kilos not including the case. Best to check with the carrier first. Domestically, ammo can be in the gun case. Africa, separately.
Second on the Pelican 1200, it'll do most trips with one or two caliber/cartridge types.

Here's where that number comes from:

Dangerous Goods Guidance for Passengers

Information concerning the dangerous items that may be carried onboard the aircraft by passengers.

www.iata.org

I am a sporting shooter and need to travel to a competition with my weapon and ammunition. Is there anything I have to observe?

Sporting weapons and an amount of ammunition up to 5 kg (11 lb) may be in passenger checked baggage only. The weapon must be unloaded and be in its designated transport box. Please check with the airline you intend to travel with to make necessary arrangements.

One of my favorite repeat discussions.

The plane taking you to Africa is an INTERNATIONAL flight.
So, IATA guidelines matter. Not the local flight rules. Plenty of staff will be confused.

"amount of ammunition up to 5 kg."
For the individuals in the industry capable of reading help them out by bringing a printed copy along with you.
The policy guideline does not include the packaging in the weight.


The policy reference:

"Ammunition (cartridges for weapons), securely packaged (in Div. 1.4S, UN 0012 or
UN 0014 only), in quantities not exceeding 5 kg gross weight per person for that person's own use. Allowances for more than one person must not be combined into one or more packages. "

Securely packaged, it does not have to be in the original boxes. It can be in your checked (obviously) luggage.

Enjoy

 

[375Fox]

@Mark R - the FAA and TSA allows Ammo to be packed inside your firearms case but some Airlines have their own policy and prohibit this. Also, some Countries might have more restrictive policies. I always carry TWO printed copies of FAA & TSA Firearms & Ammo policy and also a copy of whatever the “Airline Policy” is for the airline I am flying on - has been helpful several times to have that policy in writing because employees often are unaware.

@375Fox - one reason Not to over do it on the ammo case - the 11 pound limit “includes” the packaging - and I’ve had that “discussion” once and they were adamant. I believe the policy is “Ammo may be carried in its original packaging or in a container designed for ammo”. My personal habit is to carry 1/2 my ammo packed in with my Firearm and 1/2 in my check thru luggage. My Logic - if my rifle makes it then I’ll have “some ammo” and if my luggage makes it too - plenty of ammo ! (If they lose the rifles —- than I’m screwed regardless)

Once you leave the US TSA and FAA policies no longer apply. There are countries and airlines that require rifle and ammo packed separately. Packing your rifle and ammo separately is safest bet. Putting ammo in firearm case I think is asking for trouble eventually.

 

[375Fox]

You have to figure that the only time that your ammo box will be exposed to the baggage gorillas is if you fly where the ammo has to come out of your checked bag.

It was a number of years ago when I read a number of well know members touting the kids lunch box for ammo, but then perhaps they were being picked up in Joberg and didn't have to worry about other airline regulations. On those plastic ammo cans, they are pretty stout once you lock the lid down and use some tape to keep the latch locked down. I'd wager that you could drive a vehicle over it without popping it open. And once again the only time that that gorillas would do anything with it is if you were flying out of Joberg on an airline that required it to fly separately.

I’ve been required to check my ammo as a separate bag outside regular luggage on most trips after landing in Africa and for all regional flights.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Hello everyone I was recently watching videos and reading articles pertaining to flying with firearms and I still have one more question maybe you guys can help me with considering you all surely have more expertise in this area...the maximum ammo that can be carried is 11 lbs, is that TOTAL for each person, or can 11 lbs of ammo be checked INSIDE your gun case and 11 lbs of ammo locked in a case in your original checked bag....any info would be helpful and appreciated

Check with your airline. This is important.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Once you leave the US TSA and FAA policies no longer apply. There are countries and airlines that require rifle and ammo packed separately. Packing your rifle and ammo separately is safest bet. Putting ammo in firearm case I think is asking for trouble eventually.

Yes. Packing ammo with your rifle could lead to an issue…

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

You can go this route - little bigger than minimum for ammo. It will also accommodate items that you may want separate from your clothes. This is one of my checked bags. In this pelican case is ammo, knives, scope tools, leatherman, flashlights, headlamp, batteries, small tools, extra meds, adapters, new bottle of permethrin double bagged, my Bino case, but I put my RF Bino’s in my backpack and carry those on, and just fill the Bino case with stuff like small medical kit, parachute cord, and stuff I often leave for my tracker or PH…

I always have AirTags in every bag, box, case, and/or luggage. Keys too…

 

[DLSJR]

Wth....that's crazy...not to be in your affairs but how did you get that situation resolved because any good ammo case worth its salt is gonna be pretty beefy plus the lock itself

Bring printed copies of the regulation with you and if weight is close, have it weighed without the case. I’ve done it this way several times when the weight with the case was pushing the 5 kg limit. The easiest way to stay under the weight limit is to bring one rifle. 11 pounds of one caliber is a lot of ammo.

You should have multiple printed copies of your 4457, the ammunition regulations, your outfitter letter of invitation, airline firearm documents, and passport page. These can and often do come in handy.

 

[Flipper Dude]

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You can go this route - little bigger than minimum for ammo. It will also accommodate items that you may want separate from your clothes. This is one of my checked bags. In this pelican case is ammo, knives, scope tools, leatherman, flashlights, headlamp, batteries, small tools, extra meds, adapters, new bottle of permethrin double bagged, my Bino case, but I put my RF Bino’s in my backpack and carry those on, and just fill the Bino case with stuff like small medical kit, parachute cord, and stuff I often leave for my tracker or PH…

I always have AirTags in every bag, box, case, and/or luggage. Keys too…

Does this weigh more than 11 pounds? No issues traveling this way? I’ve always limited ammo and case to 5 kgs inside checked baggage

To be honest, I’ve never had my ammo case weighed in 11 trips. They ask, and I say 11 pounds.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Does this weigh more than 11 pounds? No issues traveling this way? I’ve always limited ammo and case to 5 kgs inside checked baggage

Never been an issue. Multiple trips. Those pictures are from this September. 40 Rounds of 375 H&H and 40 Rounds of .243.

Emirates Airline in Sept 2024 and Delta Twice. Plus 1 other Safari, but I forget the airline. Before that I made a small box that was foamed lined with a hasp and lock and put it in my checked luggage.

 

[Flipper Dude]

40 of 375 and 40 .243 would not exceed 11 pounds. The other stuff would. No issues with total weight over 11?

 

[Hogpatrol]

The only airline that was a PITA was Air France. At Dulles, they had me open the Pelican, checked the boxes inside and weighed it. They mentioned it had to be no heavier than 5 kilos including the box. Other multiple trips stateside and to Joburg, never weighed or checked.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

40 of 375 and 40 .243 would not exceed 11 pounds. The other stuff would. No issues with total weight over 11?

Not an issue for me. No extra charge. Last trip on Emirates I checked my carry on luggage, that yellow Pelican box with ammo as you see it, my rifle case with two rifles. They didn’t charge me an additional checked bag. Not for either direction. Then I just carried on my backpack.

I had a change of clothes in my backpack along with my shave kit. Made it easy to shower in the lounge at Dubai airport during my layover..


I only put my rifles in my rifle case. Except Copies of rifle permits and AirTags. Not even rifle slings.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

The only airline that was a PITA was Air France. At Dulles, they had me open the Pelican, checked the boxes inside and weighed it. They mentioned it had to be no heavier than 5 kilos including the box. Other multiple trips stateside and to Joburg, never weighed or checked.

Emirates was such a pleasure to fly on. Everything went really smooth. Plus my rifles and gear checked all the way through to SF. No Dulles or Atlanta BS double check. No shoe douche. No checking in Dubai! Global entry was 15 seconds at my final destination, got my rifle, quickly showed my paperwork showed my Serial numbers on my rifles to the agent at SFO. Done. It will be hard not to fly Emirates next year…

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Emirates did have one form to fill out online for rifles and ammo. It actually was easy and helped expedite the process. I got to go to the front of the line, even though I flew coach. When I got there, they had my paperwork ready each time, and an agent was there within minutes to escort me to inspection. Each time I checked with the agents for each stop, they knew exactly where the rifles and ammo were.

 

[Flipper Dude]

I’ve flown Emirates once and Qatar once. Rented rifles both time so I don’t know any of their requirements. All my experience with firearms / ammo has been Delta or United , or SAA. Airlink connections.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’ve flown Emirates once and Qatar once. Rented rifles both time so I don’t know any of their requirements. All my experience with firearms / ammo has been Delta or United , or SAA. Airlink connections.

Well, could have gotten lucky? I know I’m not normally lucky and I sure the hell am not that charming… So, I’ll continue with the same system until something changes. The weight may have been really close… I just don’t recall it being an issue at all and I absolutely did not pay extra either direction.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I normally would carry on my small roller and backpack. It made things a lot easier to let all 3 travel as checked bags except my backpack. That said, if I’m required to pay for 1 extra checked bag in the future, it will be worth it…

 

[DelRock83]

That’s putting a lot of trust in an airline employee. I wouldn’t fly internationally without a crush proof case. I previously used a sentry lock box for years and taped around the box to prevent accidental opening. I now use an SKB case. There are a lot of quality cases for +/- $100 to not worry about your ammo in transit and will last many years. I can’t understand why someone paying for a hunt would risk ammo to a lunch box or plastic ammo box.

I mean I guess different people have different experiences with certain gear....cause I agree with you both I'm a practical cheap skate by nature but in my military days of traveling I have seen firsthand how luggage etc gets abused in transit lol