badchad Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I’ll be traveling from the USA to France and bringing two glocks, but no ammo. I was told by someone that British Air was good to take because it’s an overnight flight, but from what I just checked out handguns are not allowed. I’ve been told landing directly Paris it’s not such a big deal but I need to show permits for my guns. I have my new passport and this is my first time to Europe. I’ve flown with guns around the US but never left the country with them. Anyone know what permits/forms I need for the guns, and what I need to bring them back to the US? Any preferred airlines? Is it true I need to avoid connecting in any European countries, even if I don’t access my luggage, and need to land direct from the US to France? Anything else I should know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gose Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Under the assumptions that you're bringing both of them back to the US and that you're attending a match in France... The only thing you need to get them into France is an official match invitation, to be presented to French customs. However, any additional docs showing that you're actually attending the match will probably help. You also need to stop by US customs on your way out to declare them, to make sure you wont run into any issues when returning with your guns. Might be a good idea to show the US declaration to the French customs as well... Connecting should be fine, but some countries (like Holland) might have restrictions and require additional permits, even if you're just transiting through without even seeing your bags. Also, most European airlines require that the gun is separated in two separate bags/suitcases, as opposed to the US, where one locked back is enough. So it might be a good idea to bring two suitcases and put the frames in one and the slides in the other one (in locked cases to be extra safe) Apart from that, it should be smooth sailing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck223 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 If at all possible, fly Air France. They have a reputation for being pretty decent with gun owners that are not screaming "Dirka Dirka, Mohammed, Jihad!!" and trying to storm the cockpit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramas Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 The only thing you need to get them into France is an official match invitation, to be presented to French customs. However, any additional docs showing that you're actually attending the match will probably help.You also need to stop by US customs on your way out to declare them, to make sure you wont run into any issues when returning with your guns. Might be a good idea to show the US declaration to the French customs as well... Don't know abou returning to USA, but i would ask about enering France in other shooting forum: http://ipsc.invisionzone.com It is not so easy, you should ask here, because I think you will need some permits to bring guns, because you are in non EU country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfinney Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 And if by some chance when you arrive in France and flash your weapons in customs, and all around you throw their hands up and wave white flags.... don't panic, its just the French surrendering. Again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atbarr Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 don't panic, its just the French surrendering. Again. That is so bad! A.T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badchad Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 You also need to stop by US customs on your way out to declare them, to make sure you wont run into any issues when returning with your guns. Might be a good idea to show the US declaration to the French customs as well... Thanks. I found a pdf of CPB form 4457 to declare things I'm leaving with. It says to fill it out and get a signature from the CPB officer prior to departing. So are these officers easy to find at the airport when you are leaving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmap Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 You also need to stop by US customs on your way out to declare them, to make sure you wont run into any issues when returning with your guns. Might be a good idea to show the US declaration to the French customs as well... Thanks. I found a pdf of CPB form 4457 to declare things I'm leaving with. It says to fill it out and get a signature from the CPB officer prior to departing. So are these officers easy to find at the airport when you are leaving? It's a CBP Officer (Customs & Border Protection) and you have to go through Customs to fly internationally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fullauto_Shooter Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 (edited) My Grandfather traveled to France with a Handgun once and didn't have ANY issues with customs. . . of course, it was 1944 and he arrived at Utah Beach via landing craft. YMMV Edited March 5, 2009 by Fullauto_Shooter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tzygä Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 My Grandfather traveled to France with a Handgun once and didn't have ANY issues with customs. . .of course, it was 1944 and he arrived at Utah Beach via landing craft. YMMV When I went to France with my guns two years ago they didn't even bothered to check me even I call them at the custom desk (there were nobody there at the moment) and tell that I have guns with me. They just told me "sure go ahead". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 First off you will need a temporary import permit from France. You will need the match invitation. The "Bring it back form" is usually best done before you even go to the airport. Just look up the nearest customs office and go and do it. DO NOT EVER, EVER,EVER,EVER "connect" through the U.K. with a semi auto rifle, ANY handgun, or shotgun with a barrel shorter than 24" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrflyer Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Most all flights from the US to Europe leave in the afternoon and arrive in the E.U. sometime in the morning. Its nice but remember the time difference. Start adjusting your body before you go if you really want to dont want to get hit with jetlag the 3rd or 4th day your there. All major US airlines will fly to Paris but you'll probably have to connect through a major city like Houston, Atlanta, JFK, etc.. So check you layover times there. Not sure how traveling with a firearm will effect it as I've never had to connect when flying with one. I flew Continental to London a week and a half ago to start vacation and ended up in Paris for a few days last week. Just got back yesterday actually. The people there were friendly enough and the majority speak english at least somewhat but they kind of get offended when you assume that they do. So learning some basic french will go a long long way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genghis Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 A handgun should be sufficient to convince them to surrender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alellis Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 DO NOT EVER, EVER,EVER,EVER "connect" through the U.K. with a semi auto rifle, ANY handgun, or shotgun with a barrel shorter than 24" I have traveled through London airports a few times with handguns and ammo. No major problems. While you stay in the international area of the airport you are not technically in UK so apart from a few thunderstruck customs officers and a bit of extra grief you are good to go. The last time I came through Gatwick there were four of us with a pistol each and enough ammo for a small war. Since we were catching a connecting flight to another part of the UK they would not let us pick them up ourselves and explained that we would have to be escorted to the check in for our next flight. So we had to stand around for 15-20 minutes waiting for our escort. Eventually a representative of the airline arrived, and the four of us were escorted by a 17 yo pimple faced kid. So there was no way we could get up to any mischief. al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now