Taking a shotgun overseas!
Discussion
Ask Steve at: www.cybershooters.org and he'll be able to give you the whole '9-yards' on the subject.
As I am not a shooter I have no idea what the regulations are in terms of taking your guns to another country. However, you may wish to know that last year I went with my son and his family by car by Euro Tunnel to Germany. He is in the army and was travelling to new quarters. I do know that he notified the local police in England that he was taking his personal shotguns and a hunting rifle out of England and notified the German authorities as well. All his paperwork was in order. He even notified the Tunnel police in writing and by phone that he was taking his guns on the train in the boot of his car locked in secure cabinets etc. He notified them of the date of travel and the time of the train. They said to let the guy on the ticket barrier on arrival know who he was and what he was carrying, that it would just be a formality and there should be no problems.
On arrival, he did as was asked and we were asked to go to a police secure area and then spent over the next hour having to explain who he was, what he was doing, unloading everything, checking serial numbers etc etc as they clearly did not know anything about it. Eventually, we were released and eventually caught a later train but not before two very distressed grandaughters thought their daddy was being arrested and taken away and would not see him again. Moral of the tale? Expect the unexpected, be flexible and plan plenty of extra time in your travel arrangements which ever way you are you are travelling and whatever transfer papers/certicates you have.
On arrival, he did as was asked and we were asked to go to a police secure area and then spent over the next hour having to explain who he was, what he was doing, unloading everything, checking serial numbers etc etc as they clearly did not know anything about it. Eventually, we were released and eventually caught a later train but not before two very distressed grandaughters thought their daddy was being arrested and taken away and would not see him again. Moral of the tale? Expect the unexpected, be flexible and plan plenty of extra time in your travel arrangements which ever way you are you are travelling and whatever transfer papers/certicates you have.
Marcellus said:
I'm fully licensed and moving overseas (to France) and want to take my guns with me.
I will be travelling by car
Is there anything I need to do before I go or can I just turn up at the Port with guns in the car (packed in the gun safe I'm taking with me) and my Shotgun licence?
BASC. Hmm some talk a while back ref euro travel. Not at all sure about a permanent move though.I will be travelling by car
Is there anything I need to do before I go or can I just turn up at the Port with guns in the car (packed in the gun safe I'm taking with me) and my Shotgun licence?
tonygt3 said:
I am sure that my shot gun cert is also Euro. A few years ago I took my gun across to France. The customs (Plymouth ferry) during a routine check saw my shotgun, I showed my cert no drama. It was loose not locked up.
Suggestion; call a ferry company.
Tony
The European Firearms Pass is a separate document from a UK Shotgun Certificate. It is however just a formality to obtain one by calling the issuing authority and requesting one. There's no charge and they even use one of the spare photos that you gave them with your SG Cert application. Make sure the list of firearms is current.Suggestion; call a ferry company.
Tony
I've travelled many times by air with shotguns without any problems, but I've never used a ferry. Contact either BASC or CPSA for detailed advice.
SpidermanUK is right, you need to get a Euro licence. Just phone up your licensing office and ask for it.
Ferries used to be a doddle, but they have tightened up on security. Last time I travelled Norfolk Line the guns had to be booked in in advance as "hazardous cargo", we had to drive on seperately with hazards flashing, and hand over the keys to a ferry employee. However, no-one was interested in checking the guns on the way into France or the UK.
One thing - I'm not sure how long a Euro pass covers you for. Technically I think they just cover transport and once you're in the other country you are covered by that country's laws re use and storage. So find out what the French laws are before you go.
Ferries used to be a doddle, but they have tightened up on security. Last time I travelled Norfolk Line the guns had to be booked in in advance as "hazardous cargo", we had to drive on seperately with hazards flashing, and hand over the keys to a ferry employee. However, no-one was interested in checking the guns on the way into France or the UK.
One thing - I'm not sure how long a Euro pass covers you for. Technically I think they just cover transport and once you're in the other country you are covered by that country's laws re use and storage. So find out what the French laws are before you go.
Edited by saxmund on Tuesday 10th July 12:28
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