With the advent of cheap air travel within Australia, many more
hunters and shooters are taking to the skies. The discount airlines
have revolutionised air travel and many hunters are now following
the gamebird seasons around the country. Even those shooters that
enjoy competing in target shooting competitions are becoming frequent
fliers and going to shoot at places they would never have thought
of before. And why not? In some cases it is cheaper to fly to some
hunting and shooting destinations than it is to drive a car and
takes a lot less in time.
Many firearm owners are scared or worried about what is required
for air travel with guns. The additional security arrangements since
September 11th and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq make
people think that to be able to take a firearm on a plane would
be impossible. Well it is not impossible and if the procedures are
followed it is quite simple.
Let's face it, your firearm is after all, just a lump of wood with
a steel tube screwed on it. When it is thirty thousand feet up in
the air in the cargo hold, it is of no danger to anyone. It is no
different to a set of golf clubs or a baseball bat at that height.
Procedures
So what are the procedures? Firearms and ammunition are classed
as Dangerous Goods and must be declared before you take off. Of
course, and rightly so, they cannot be packed in carry-on baggage.
In checked in baggage though, they can be safely transported by
air provided that they are correctly packaged, labelled and accompanied
by the appropriate documentation. If there is anything to fear,
it is not the airlines, it is the paperwork required by the Australian
Customs Service and various State Police departments. Luckily, on
interstate domestic flights this is of no concern and only the airlines
have to be dealt with.
Most domestic airlines have the same
procedures and requirements. They are quite simple and reasonable.
The firearm must be packed in a dismantled condition. Shotguns have
barrels removed and rifles have the bolts removed. They must be
packed in a hard lockable case. Any of the plastic or aluminium
gun cases will do. There must be no ammunition in the case with
the firearm. If asked to do so, the owner must be able to unlock
the case and show that the firearm is disassembled.
Upon presenting at the baggage check in counter, the staff must
be informed that the case contains a firearm. They will ask if it
is disassembled and whether there is ammunition packed with the
gun. If necessary they will ask to see the firearm. Once they are
satisfied all is in order, they will fill out a red and white Dangerous
Goods tag that you will sign. This is then attached to the gun case.
The same Dangerous Goods tagging procedure will now happen with
your ammunition. You are permitted to take a maximum of 5 kilograms
of sporting ammunition that is classified in Division 1.4s. You
are not permitted to combine more than the amount permitted for
one person. The ammunition must be securely boxed in its original
packaging. Loose ammunition in belts or bags is not allowed. The
packets of ammunition should be carried in a separate lockable case.
Most hunters and shooters that are using shotguns do not bother
to take ammunition with them. It weighs too much and can be easily
purchased at the destination. Rifle shooters usually take their
own ammo because the rifle will be sighted in for a specific bullet
weight and speed. If the rifle is sighted in for factory ammunition
then it is best to buy it at the destination rather than risk being
overweight and having to pay extra baggage fees.
Once this is done then an airline employee will escort you and the
firearm to the special baggage section where you will hand over
the gun case and ammunition case. That's it, job done! Get on the
plane, dream of your hunting trip and enjoy your flight.
At your destination the firearm and ammunition must be picked up
from the special baggage section. It does not come out on the
carousel with ordinary luggage (see warning
below). You will need
to show your boarding pass, Dangerous Goods tag receipt and possibly
Shooters Licence.
WARNING!
Two
Melbourne Gun Club members, who took their
expensive shotguns on separate domestic flights in Australia,
went to the special baggage section to pick up their firearm
only to be told their shotguns were not there. When they went
to the ordinary luggage carousel to pick up their luggage,
they were shocked to see their shotguns circulating
on the carousel with the normal passenger baggage. How easy
it would have been for the shotguns to have been stolen. So
much for airline security and the specified procedures! Be
warned - insist that the airline follow their own regulations.
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Flying with firearms on domestic routes within Australia is a breeze.
Going oversees with them is a nightmare and a pain in the butt.
This is mostly brought about by ridiculous red tape and regulations
of the Australian Customs Service.
Every country has its own rules and regulations for taking a firearm
into it. There are far too many to list in this article. The airline
requirements are exactly the same except that you have to show them
a Customs clearance form. You must obtain a Restricted Goods Permit
from Customs prior to export and items may be subject to an import
permit.
You will also need to get paperwork done by the various state police
departments. Because of the different State arrangements and the
ever-changing rules, it is best to find out what is required by
calling the Customs Information Line:
Call: 1300 363 263 (Australia only)
+61 2 6275 6666 (Outside Australia)
When presenting your firearm at the Australian Customs Service in
the international airport, make sure that you allow at least an
hour for the paperwork to be done. Usually the office will be unattended
and then the manuals will have to be searched to find out what paperwork
is required. They will also want you to unlock the case so they
can inspect the firearm.
Most hunters using shotguns that leave Australia will be going to
New Zealand. Their gamebird hunting is fantastic.
It is easy to take a gun into New Zealand for sporting purposes.
When you arrive in New Zealand you must declare all firearms to
New Zealand Customs Officials and the New Zealand Police. At the
police office in the airport you will apply for a Visitors Firearms
Licence (T licence), which is valid for one year, and a Permit to
Import.
To obtain a Visitors Firearms Licence you must pay $25 and show
Police your passport and your Shooters Licence. You will receive
your Permit for Import and Visitor's Licence immediately on your
arrival and they will usually wish you "Happy Hunting"
and give you a big smile. New Zealand Police have an excellent website
at www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/
Air travel with firearms is easy. There is no need to be scared
of it. Book a cheap ticket and go and enjoy yourself.
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