Going through Dubai with Firearms

[davisj3537]

Headed on first safari next month and I guess I just need some assurance. My wife is kind of freaking out about me bringing a rifle on this trip. I have an expediter handling my Jburg permitting and understand Emirates will handle the Dubai stuff.

Has anyone that has flown Emirates through Dubai give me a quick run through? I know all the forms I need. I'm talking about my experience at Dubai...like do I need to retrieve the firearms and submit them through customs or are they processed straight through to my connection? I know Dubai is pretty damn strict. I'm just trying to make sure I don't screw myself bringing my own rifle.

Thank you

 

[Bullthrower338]

If your connection is another Emirates flight they will be checked through to Jberg. No worries, they are a great airline. Just make sure you do your call ahead before the flight, I believe it is 24 hours ahead.
Enjoy your hunt and quit worrying, you will have a trip of a lifetime. There isn’t much more exciting than a guys first trip to Africa. Unfortunately it leads to an expensive and obsessive quest for additional trips to Africa! Lol. And that is what your wife should really be concerned with!
Cheers,
Cody

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Headed on first safari next month and I guess I just need some assurance. My wife is kind of freaking out about me bringing a rifle on this trip. I have an expediter handling my Jburg permitting and understand Emirates will handle the Dubai stuff.

Has anyone that has flown Emirates through Dubai give me a quick run through? I know all the forms I need. I'm talking about my experience at Dubai...like do I need to retrieve the firearms and submit them through customs or are they processed straight through to my connection? I know Dubai is pretty damn strict. I'm just trying to make sure I don't screw myself bringing my own rifle.

Thank you

As Cody mentioned, if you're connecting to another Emirates flight in Dubai, your rifle case will be transferred to that flight also. And from my experience they are exceptionally careful to ensure weapons continue on with the passenger. You will NOT retrieve your firearms in Dubai.

You will like in other international airports be required to pass through security again after arrival in Dubai. This has nothing to do with you traveling with firearms, everyone has to do this.

One correction to what Cody said above. You don't call Emirates ahead of time. You fill out an application for traveling with firearms on their website.

https://www.emirates.com/us/english/help/firearms/declaration-form.aspx

I think you have to wait until you're within 30 days of travel before doing so. Once inside that window, I wouldn't hesitate to get the app in. You will eventually receive an email approving you traveling with firearms, definitely print that out and have it available.

What exactly is your itinerary?

 

[Bullthrower338]

As Cody mentioned, if you're connecting to another Emirates flight in Dubai, your rifle case will be transferred to that flight also. And from my experience they are exceptionally careful to ensure weapons continue on with the passenger. You will NOT retrieve your firearms in Dubai.

You will like in other international airports be required to pass through security again after arrival in Dubai. This has nothing to do with you traveling with firearms, everyone has to do this.

One correction to what Cody said above. You don't call Emirates ahead of time. You fill out an application for traveling with firearms on their website.

https://www.emirates.com/us/english/help/firearms/declaration-form.aspx

I think you have to wait until you're within 30 days of travel before doing so. Once inside that window, I wouldn't hesitate to get the app in. You will eventually receive an email approving you traveling with firearms, definitely print that out and have it available.

What exactly is your itinerary?

Thanks for the correction Phil, I booked through Travel Express and they handled everything including my firearms form. Got to love Lori and Jen!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thanks for the correction Phil, I booked through Travel Express and they handled everything including my firearms form. Got to love Lori and Jen!

That's a good point. If the OP used a travel agent, particularly one that focuses on hunters, they would likely handle this.

 

[Mekaniks]

I transferred through Dubai in 2016 with no issues at all. I actually had more issues transferring my guns in the States than I did in Dubai or Johannesburg.
If your paperwork is all done properly you have nothing to worry about.

 

[davisj3537]

Thanks for all the reassurance guys. The wife is super nervous about going through Dubai and was trying to talk me out of taking my rifle. I'm a competitive long range shooter and can't operate at that level with a rental rifle...

Flying Emirates from DFW to Dubai and have a 2hr 40 minute layover before heading to Jburg with Emirates. Africa Sky is handling the permitting in Jburg for us. Then a 9 hour layover before hopping on a SAA flight to Kimberly where the outfitter is picking us up and clearing the firearm at that airport. I didn't use a travel agent.

We aren't flying into Dubai until September 16th so I won't be able to apply for Emirates to complete the permitting until later this week because of their 30 day rule. I think I have all the forms ready and lined up. Pretty excited to be finally getting over there!!!

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thanks for all the reassurance guys. The wife is super nervous about going through Dubai and was trying to talk me out of taking my rifle. I'm a competitive long range shooter and can't operate at that level with a rental rifle...

Flying Emirates from DFW to Dubai and have a 2hr 40 minute layover before heading to Jburg with Emirates. Africa Sky is handling the permitting in Jburg for us. Then a 9 hour layover before hopping on a SAA flight to Kimberly where the outfitter is picking us up and clearing the firearm at that airport. I didn't use a travel agent.

We aren't flying into Dubai until September 16th so I won't be able to apply for Emirates to complete the permitting until later this week because of their 30 day rule. I think I have all the forms ready and lined up. Pretty excited to be finally getting over there!!!

Have a great trip! When you apply for the Emirates firearms permit, you'll get an acknowledgement email virtually immediately. But it may be a few weeks before you actually get the permit, so be patient.

 

[JimP]

I'd say that you might be cutting it a little bit thin with only a 2:40 lay over in Dubai.

Have a great hunt.

 

[BWH]

I flew same route with rifle & ammo, out of DFW. No worries. Guns will be checked through to JNB. The layover is uneventful. Stay cool & enjoy trip.

 

[davisj3537]

You guys are great. Thanks for the quick responses. Looking forward to putting a Sable and Kudu on the wall

 

[BWH]

Good luck on those 2 majestic species! Look forward to return & report!

 

[wesheltonj]

Ticket purchased yet? The DFW flight leaves at 12:15 and arrives 12. The IAH flight leaves 8PM and arrives 8pm. Now the IAH flight is on the A380 a much better plane then the B777 out of DFW. My Coach flight from DFW left much to be desired, the Business flight on the other hand was very nice. But with those two choices I would pick the A380.

 

[davisj3537]

Yes ticket already purchased. I'll be sure to post up a report with my experience as well as my brother and wife's.

 

[buck wild]

I just went Hou to Dubia non-stop then on to Joberg. I was on the A380 double decker. The 3 hr layover I had was plenty of time. We landed late in the evening with zero crowd in the Dubia airport. The return leg we were in the Dubia airport early morning to a much busier terminal but still no problems. I did not take a rifle so can't help there.
Here is my Emirates report
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/south-africa-aaa-serapa-goes-buck-wild-2018.44702/

 

[davisj3537]

Just one more question. I keep seeing references to a firearms license. What in the world is that lol? It is a required field and I can't submit for Emirates approval without putting something there.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Just one more question. I keep seeing references to a firearms license. What in the world is that lol? It is a required field and I can't submit for Emirates approval without putting something there.

Scan your 4457 and put that in there. Other countries have firearms licenses, obviously we don't. They'll accept the 4457.

 

[txag09]

Bumping this post for my question

I'm flying Emirates back from JNB to DXB to SFO. I am bringing rifle and ammunition and doing a one night stopover in Dubai. I have already filled out the application bring a firearm on Emirates and got the approval email already. My question is does Emirates hold on to my rifle case for me until the next flight and what about the ammo that will be in my checked luggage? I have sent an email to the email address that sent me the approval, but thought someone here might have gone through the process.

 

[wesheltonj]

Bumping this post for my question

I'm flying Emirates back from JNB to DXB to SFO. I am bringing rifle and ammunition and doing a one night stopover in Dubai. I have already filled out the application bring a firearm on Emirates and got the approval email already. My question is does Emirates hold on to my rifle case for me until the next flight and what about the ammo that will be in my checked luggage? I have sent an email to the email address that sent me the approval, but thought someone here might have gone through the process.

Yes, Emirates will keep your gun.

 

[Doug3006]

Yup, what Wes said. I did the same on my trip to Zim last Aug/Sep. No worries.