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Traveling oversea with firearms


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Make sure you get a letter from U.S. customs that has the make model and serial.. Also need the ok from the other government allowing you to transport the firearms into the country usually a letter also

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Is the match a Level 3 or higher IPSC match? If it is, email and ask the USPSA President to send a request on your behalf to the Regional Director of that match. He will send off an email on official letterhead showing you are a competitor from the USA wanting to shoot their match. If their RD okays your attendance, they will apply for gun permits (if required) on your behalf.

Typically if its a Level 2 or lower they might not be too accommodating since applying for a single permit might not be feasible.

When we shot WS in Greece and the Australasia match in New Zealand, the USPSA President at that time submitted our request. Once approved they asked that the proper documents be submitted by strict deadlines. Those were Level 3 and higher matches where there was a large contingent of foreign competitors coming into their country to shoot a match. In those instances, they were more than willing to accept our requests.

There are other members here that have shot foreign matches more than I have. They will correct me and should be able to provide you more info.

Edited by yoshidaex
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Thank you sir! And yes it is a level 3 match in Thailand this December. They know I'm going to shoot their match and will send the Government official to escort me into the Country with a firearms permit but I'm curious about our regulations here the most of what paperworks/documentations I might need.

Thanks for all the help

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You will need to go to a US Customs and Border protection office and get a form 4457 for the valuables that you will be travelling with (gun, scope, etc. They will need to see each item and record serial numbers on the form, they don't keep numbers or a copy of your form). The 4457 is to get your stuff back into the USA without paying taxes on it. Last year, I travelled to Finland for the Nordic Rifle Championship with my JP. Going to Finland was easy, I had a permit from the Finish Government, My official match invitation, the competitor list showing that I was a registered competitor and a printed copy of each airline's rules regarding firearms transport in a folder in my backpack. I also made a copy of that information and put it inside of the pelican case with my rifle. I bought locks (real locks) that were keyed alike to lock the case with. I put extra locks inside the case with instructions to place them on the case in the event that my locks were cut off for inspection, I also had my name, company name and my phone number on my case and inside of my case (no reference that a firearm was in the case). No one cut any locks nor called my phone at any leg of my trip.

If you visit the link https://www.ice.gov/cpi/faq, it tells you that you need either an export license or an exemption. I set up an AES account as a sole proprietorship (it was free) and filed my report and got an EEI number. As far as I know, no one checked that number, but I had the documentation. I also notified every airline that I flew ahead of time that I was travelling with a firearm. Twice they didn't know but didn't argue with me when I explained that they had been notified.

Be careful which route that you take, just travelling through some airports (even with your gun checking through) without proper permits can get you in trouble (Amsterdam requires a permit, London is a no go, New York can be trouble). Spend some time searching about gun laws in the countries/cities you will connect in before you go. Arrive at the airport early, be patient with TSA and Airline staff, most are not accustomed to dealing with people flying with guns. I am not in any way trying to discourage you, my trip was very pleasant, I was only questioned in Paris on my way back, and that was only for a few minutes, they were nice and I answered their questions and was on my way again.

I found good information on some African hunting websites, I think it was Sports Afield and there was another one that had helpful tips.

I also wrote down the phone numbers of US Embassies in the countries/cities that I was travelling through, just in case.

I hope my rambling helps.

Hurley

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Best to email the match director for the local details and paperwork at least 4-5 months in advance. I remember attempting to go to Russia and was told at least 12 months wait for paperwork - match was in 3 months. Some countries are difficult with guns and foreigners - including the USA.

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