Traveling internationally with firearms can be nerve-wracking and often times can cause lots of unnecessary stress and worry. What I’ve done here for you is compile as much information as possible to assist with your travels, listing some of the major airports in countries around the world that you could possibly encounter.
Please, do your due diligence and confirm this information before your flight because we are not travel agents, and as countries change their rules, some of this data may eventually be replaced with new documents and protocols. I’ll do my absolute best to keep this page as current as I can. I’ve also provided a button below that will take you to Delta Airlines’ page on Destinations & Travel Requirements to assist in determining any Visa requirements or if travel is restricted.
Leaving the country with a firearm requires a US Customs and Border Protection document 4457. The PDFs below give you two options on how to get this form. The Application gives you a PDF that you can fill out with the specifics of your equipment and email in to a friend of Gerhart Outdoors who happens to be a US Customs agent. He will create the form for you and mail it to your home. The Fillable PDF is an easy way for you to fill out the required information on the document itself before taking it into a US Customs office, along with the listed equipment, for confirmation of serial numbers. This form is not valid until it is signed and stamped by a US Customs Agent.
Traveling to/through South Africa with Firearms
- If flying through South Africa, please confirm with the airline if you are able to check your firearm(s) through to your final destination. Ensure each and every leg of your travel, both there and back again, are accounted for.
- If your final destination is South Africa, you will need to apply for and receive a temporary firearm import permit along with having to clear SAPS (South African Police) and US Customs upon your return. This form, along with an example of how to fill it out, are below.
- For more information on this permit, and how to get it done in advance of your trip, contact Luke@GerhartOutdoors.com for detailed instructions and tips on how to make this procedure as fast and easy as possible.
- When flying on domestic flights in South Africa, your ammunition must travel in its own checked bag. Plan Accordingly!!!
Flying to New Zealand with Rifles
You need to apply for a Visitor’s Firearms License prior to your hunt in New Zealand if you’re planning on bringing your own firearms. This is a bit of a arduous process, but I’ll do my best to break it down for you below. A Visitor’s Firearms Permit is for people who will be in New Zealand for less than one year in duration. If you’re planning on being there longer, you must apply for a New Zealand Firearms License.
To apply, you must have a RealMe login. If you don’t have one already, you’ll be prompted to create one prior to the state of your application. You may save an incomplete application and log in again at a later time to complete it. A button below will take you to the online application for the Visitor’s firearms License application form
The cost of the Visitor’s Firearms Permit is currently priced at NZ$25. To complete the form, you will need to supply the following information:
- a recent, passport-style high-quality digital photograph
- a scan or photo of your passport ID page
- return flight information
- proof of your good character (a police certificate or criminal history check from your home country)
- a scan of your firearms license or certification from your home country (Concealed Carry Permit / Hunting License / Hunter’s Safety Card)
- the purpose of your visit
- the firearms activities you will participate in
- details of security arrangements for the safe storage of all firearms and ammunition you will use (Contact your Outfitter for this)
- details of criminal convictions, including driving-related offenses
- details of pending criminal charges
- details of unsatisfied judgements in court
- details of any adverse findings against you by a court in civil proceedings
- details of a current New Zealand Firearms License Holder with whom you will store firearms and ammo. You will need their fireams license number as well as their name, address, and email address.
- details regarding the firearms you’re specifically planning on bringing with you
You must also complete an online, multiple-choice theory test as a part of your application. This test is based upon the New Zealand Police Firearms Safety Code. A button below will take you to where you may download that code for free in preparation for the exam.
Upon Arrival in New Zealand, you must declare all firearms, firearm part, and ammunition to New Zealand Customs. Without this declaration, your equpment will be detained. Once you clear Customs, go to the New Zealand Police station counter at the airport. Airport staff can assist you with finding this counter if need be. When you arrive at the counter, the police will check your passport, your firearms license from your home country, and the firearms on your application. If everything is in order they will issue you your Visitor’s Firearms License!
When it’s time to leave New Zealand, take your firearms back to the police counter and they will assist you with the process of checking in the firearms for bringing them back home with you.
Flying through Amsterdam with Rifles
You need to apply for, and get, permits for each leg of your travel. The permit you receive to fly through the Netherlands does not apply to any flights on your return trip. That flight itinerary requires its own permit. The permit application can be accessed via the button below. This will take you to the Application Consent page where you will have two PDF files available for you. The first is the Application and the second is the Annex to Question 7 document. Both are required!
Do not forget that you can fill out additional information to submit details of each firearm you’re traveling with. This is for the Annex to Question 7 on the form. If more assistance is needed, please visit the Dutch Customs website via the button below.
Along with the application, you are asked to “enclose a copy of the hunting licence or accreditation or authorization and a copy of the passport or identity card of the consignor with the application“. This is essentially the official invitation letter provided to you by your outfitter. This letter needs to be on an official company letterhead detailing the hunt location, duration, and contact information for the outfit. Along with this information, any hunting or outfitter license numbers must be provided. This is the same letter you will use to get the temporary firearms permit in South Africa.
If you need a copy of your Invitation Letter for a hunt to South Africa through Gerhart Outdoors, you can find that on our South Africa Winner Documents page at the button below available for download. Do not forget to make a copy of your passport photo & details page as well as a copy of the US Customs CBP 4457 Form to submit with this application.
After the document is complete, the application can be submitted along with any supplemental documents via email to
drn-cdiu.groningen@belastingdienst.nl
or send it to the following address by postal mail:
Belastingdienst/Douane Groningen
team Centrale Dienst voor In- en Uitvoer
Postbus 3070, 6401 DN Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Traveling through London, UK with Firearms
- If your flight arrives and departs at the same airport in the United Kingdom, you will have to make arrangements with the airline for your firearms to be transferred from gate to gate. You will not be allowed to take possession of your firearm(s).
- If your arrival and departure take place at different airports (Heathrow and Gatwick), you will not be allowed to take possession of your firearm(s) to transport between airports. You will need to arrange transportation with a bonded courier service that is licensed to carry firearms and ammo between arrival and departure points.
- A source to locate a courier for this service is British International Freight Association .
Traveling through Dubai, UAE with Firearms
- Before you travel with firearms through Dubai, you will need to get clearance from both the Airport Police Department and the Department of Civil Aviation.
- If flying Emirates, you will be required to complete the Emirates Airlines Details of Weapons form.
- You cannot get approval for transit with firearm(s) through Dubai on Emirates Airlines until after this form is cleared by both the Airport Police and the Dept. of Civil Aviation.
- The form can be downloaded at the following link as well as instructions on where to send the completed form. Airline Firearms Regulations for Emirates
- If a stayover in Dubai (not the airport) is part of your itinerary, the Airport police will keep possession of the firearm(s) during your adventure into Dubai. You will receive a contact number and a receipt for the firearm while it is being kept on your behalf. If Dubai International is your point of transfer in and out, the firearm will be transitioned to your next flight automatically.
Traveling through Germany with Firearms
The German authorities have not been able to lock down and confirm whether or not a permit is outright required for transition through their airports. We advise that you contact them prior to any travel through the country to ensure compliance with any current regulations. Below is the most current information we were able to locate.
- As of late 2018, passengers who wish to travel through Frankfurt, Germany with firearm(s) must acquire a transfer license through Frankfurt’s Weapon Authority. All permit applications and approval are online and can be found at the following link. Online Application
- The page linked above will be in German, but at the top right corner you can select English/Englisch to have the page translate for you automatically. After making the selection, you’ll need to click the bottom right of the page on the button that says “Ja”.
- The fee for the permit at the time this page was created is 20 Euros, payable with PayPal or Credit Card. Any documents necessary for the issuance of the permit to complete the application are able to be downloaded directly through the application applet. Once approved, an email will be sent with the permit. You need to print this permit and certificate to show hard copy documents to the customs agents in Frankfurt airport.
- Customs will confirm the make, caliber, and serial number of the firearm with the permit to ensure they match. This is done at the Red Customs area in Frankfurt Airport.
- Much like with Dubai, if you are planning on doing some time in Germany outside of the airport, Customs will keep your firearms and ammunition for you. You will receive a claim ticket for your firearm(s) and ammo which you MUST NOT LOSE as it is the only way to claim your property at the check in for your next flight. You will not personally take possession of your firearm(s) at this time. They will transition to your flight for you via airport staff.
Traveling through France with Firearms
- Upon last review, up to two hunting firearms are allowed with up to 100 rounds of ammunition for each, are allowed to travel with you into France. At the time of this posting, no Import Permit is required, but you are required to declare these firearms and ammo with Customs upon entering the country. It is advised that you confirm that this practice is still current law by contacting the French Embassy.
- In past years, I was unable to fly with ANY ammo (spent casings or souvenir fired bullets) in my checked baggage. Ammunition needed to be in it’s own suitcase. Upon arriving in Atlanta from Paris, I simply put that little bag into my other checked baggage and was fine.