Provided below is information for the transportation of firearms and ammunition for airline travel. AS STATED IN JULY 2008 Most airlines have provided a link to the specific web pages for Baggage Allowances, Carry-on Baggage information, Firearms and Ammunition, Restricted Articles and Specialty Items of which can include but is not limited to antlers, game meats and fishing equipment. The TSA website is truly the end all be all for airline travel regulations. Canadian and European transportation agencies have essentially the same regulations and generally defer some of their information to the TSA. Before starting any research for your flight it is imperative that you thoroughly look at the TSA website because they have the broadest amount of information and they are the supreme authority. When traveling internationally, here are three issues by most if not all of the airline carriers: 1) The airlines have stated that their policy for transporting firearms is the same for both domestic and international flights. 2) They advise that you call the airline desk at your departure airport to inform them that you are flying with a firearm and to get the most up-to-date information on procedures at that airport. 3) If you are transferring from one airline to another, it is imperative for you to call the second airline to check if they have any additional regulations, especially if your transfer is in an international airport. There may be additional permits or procedures to be processed prior to your arrival. 4) Certain temporary visitor permits are required if you are planning on staying overnight in an international location that is not your final destination. Contact your airline provider to discuss arrangements for your firearm. General overview of regulations Firearms can be included as your free baggage allowance if they meet the required criteria: 1. Declared at the ticket check-in counter a. Precludes one from using curb check-in, E-check-in, Automated, pre and phone check-in b. Declaration must be done at the ticket counter 2. Firearm must be unloaded 3. Must be in a hard sided case 4. Container must be lockable with either a key lock or a combination lock a. Do not have container locked when declaring b. TSA agent will need to open and verify the firearm is unloaded c. AllÆALL locks must work properly d. Good idea to bring duct tape to further secure any questionable locks 5. Must provide key or combination to screener to open container and you must remain present during the screening process 6. Ammunition must be securely packed in ammo specific packaging 7. Ammunition may be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearms, but it must remain in its ammo specific packaging 8. Black powder, loose gunpowder and firing caps are prohibited as both carry-on and checked baggage 9. As a rule airlines will allow for 5kg of ammunition to be transported on the plane, 5kg is approximately 10.5 to 11 pounds. Archery Equipment: Prohibited from being a carry on item 1 Bow and 25 Arrows tends to be the rule for air-carriers Must be securely wrapped and packaged to that they do not cause damage to personnel or luggage Angling and fishing equipment: Angling and fishing equipment is allowed as part of your checked luggage provided that it is properly packaged and any sharp hooks are secured. The container cannot exceed any normal luggage dimensions or else a handling charge will be added on. Typically $150.00. Some airlines will permit one to bring fragile rods provided they are broken down and in a case. Most also suggest that if reels are fragile then they should be carried as part of your carry-on baggage. TSA www.tsa.gov Traveling with Special Items http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1169.shtm Hunting and Fishing Equipment http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editoria_1188.shtm Hunting Equipment Firearms and Ammunition - Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts may only be transported in checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage. There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers (LEOs) who are authorized to fly armed by meeting the requirements of 49 CFR § 1544.219. Following is a summary of key regulatory requirements to transport firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage: • All firearms must be declared to the air carrier during the ticket counter check-in process. • The firearm must be unloaded. • The firearm must be carried in a hard-sided container. • The container must be locked. • The passenger must provide the key or combination to the screener if it is necessary to open the container, and then remain present during screening to take back possession of the key after the container is cleared. • Any ammunition transported must be securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. • Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard). • The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as it is properly packed as described above. • Black powder and percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage. The regulations are strictly enforced. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and the imposition of civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. Air carriers may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition an individual may place in checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the air carrier regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies. If you are traveling with a gun or ammunition, please read our information on traveling with these items for more information. Bow and Arrows - Bows and arrows are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. Hunting Knives and Tools – Hunting knives and certain tools are prohibited from carry- on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. Fishing Equipment Fishing Rods / Poles - Fishing Rods are permitted as carry-on and checked baggage. However, please check with your air carrier to confirm that it fits within their size limitations for carry-on items. Ultimately, it is the carrier's decision as to whether or not it can be transported as carry-on baggage. Spear Guns - Spear guns are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners. Tackle Equipment - Fishing equipment should be placed in your checked baggage. Some tackle equipment can be considered sharp and dangerous. Expensive reels or fragile tackle such as fly's should be packed in your carry-on baggage. Firearms and Ammunition http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm There are certain limited exceptions for law enforcement officers who may fly armed by meeting the requirements of Title 49 CFR § 1544.219. Law enforcement officers should read our policies on traveling with guns. The key regulatory requirements to transporting firearms, firearm parts or ammunition in checked baggage are: • You must declare all firearms to the airline during the ticket counter check-in process. • The firearm must be unloaded. • The firearm must be in a hard-sided container. • The container must be locked. • We recommend that you provide the key or combination to the security officer if he or she needs to open the container. You should remain present during screening to take the key back after the container is cleared. If you are not present and the security officer must open the container, we or the airline will make a reasonable attempt to contact you. If we can’t contact you, the container will not be placed on the plane. Federal regulations prohibit unlocked gun cases (or cases with broken locks) on aircraft. • You must securely pack any ammunition in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging that is specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. • You can’t use firearm magazines/clips for packing ammunition unless they completely and securely enclose the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard). • You may carry the ammunition in the same hard-sided case as the firearm, as long as you pack it as described above. • You can’t bring black powder or percussion caps used with black-powder type firearms in either your carry-on or checked baggage. Law Enforcement Officers that may fly armed: Title 49 CFR 15544.219 http://www.tsa.gov/research/laws/regs/editorial_multi_image_with_table_0203.shtm Hazardous Material Guide http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ash/ash_programs/hazmat/aircarrier_in fo/media/updated%20illustrated%20chart%20June%202005.pdf Permitted and