Rules Regarding Traveling with Firearms.

TSA Rules:

Firearms & Ammunition

You may only transport firearms, ammunition and firearm parts in your checked baggage. Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts are prohibited from carry-on baggage.

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.

We and other authorities strictly enforce these regulations. Violations can result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

Airlines may have their own additional requirements on the carriage of firearms and the amount of ammunition that you may have in your checked baggage. Therefore, travelers should also contact the airline regarding its firearm and ammunition carriage policies.

Also, please note that many other countries have different laws that address transportation and possession of firearms. If you are traveling internationally, please check with the authorities at your destination about their requirements.
Link to TSA Rules

FEDERAL LAW:

22 CFR 123.17(c) A US citizen is allowed to temporarily export (without a license) not more than three firearms and not more than a 1,000 cartridges. These firearms and ammunition must be for your personal use and you may not sell nor give them away while overseas. You are not permitted to temporarily export any firearms greater than .50 caliber, fully automatic firearms, military style firearms or combat shotguns. You are permitted to temporarily export non-combat shotguns with a barrel length greater than 18 inches and muzzle loading (black powder) firearms of any caliber.

[NOTE: Technically the law requires that you get an export license for any firearm over .50 caliber. However, I am unaware of this being an issue for anyone temporarily exporting a sporting rifle of greater than .50 caliber. Also, the law could be interpreted so as to not permit the temporary export of any semi-automatic rifle without an export license. Again, I am unaware of this being an issue for anyone temporarily exporting a semi-automatic sporting rifle. However, most African countries do not allow the import of any semi-automatic rifles or semi-automatic shotguns].
Link to 22 CFR 123

18 USC 922(e) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transportation or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or licensed collectors, any package or other container in which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped; except that any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, captain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the duration of the trip without violating any of the provisions of this chapter. No common or contract carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.
Link to 18USC922(e)

14 CFR 108.203(e) Firearms in checked baggage.

No aircraft operator may knowingly permit any person to transport, nor may a person transport or offer for transport in checked baggage:

(1) Any loaded firearm(s);

(2) Any unloaded firearm(s) unless--
(i) The passenger declares to the aircraft operator, either orally or in writing before checking the baggage that any firearm carried in the baggage is unloaded;
(ii) The firearm is carried in a hard-sided container;
(iii) The container in which it is carried is locked, and only the person checking the baggage retains the key or combination; and
(iv) The baggage containing the firearm is carried in an area, other than the flightcrew compartment, that is inaccessible to passengers;

(3) Any unauthorized explosive or incendiary.

(f) Loaded firearm. For the purpose of this section, a loaded firearm means a firearm, which has a live round of ammunition, or any
component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm.

(g) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm.
Title 49 CFR part 175 provides additional requirements governing carriage of ammunition on aircraft.
Link to 14CFR108.203(e)

49 CFR 175.10(a)(5) Small-arms ammunition for personal use carried by a crewmember or passenger in his baggage (excluding carry-on baggage) if securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packagings specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. This paragraph does not appply to persons traveling under the provisions of 49 CFR 1544.219 [49 CFR 1544.219 governs travel by law enforcement officers].
Link to 49CFR175.10(a)(5)

Common Questions:

1. Can I place my ammunition in the same container as my firearms?
The old law used to specifically preclude transporting your ammunition in the same container as your firearms. 14 CFR 108.203(g) now permits it.

14 CFR 108.203(g) Ammunition. This section does not prohibit the carriage of
ammunition in checked baggage or in the same container as a firearm.

Note, it is permitted – not required. Airlines are free to set their own rules regarding this issue. You must contact the airlines directly to see whether they allow the ammunition to be packed in the same container as your firearms.

2. Does my ammunition have to be in a locked, hard-sided case if transported in my checked baggage?
I have never been able to find any rule or regulation which requires this. The only regulation I can find is 49 CFR 175.0(a)(5) which says: “…securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packagings specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.†However, this doesn’t mean that some airline agent won’t apply some ad hoc rule and require that you have your ammo both “securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packagings specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition†and placed in a locked, hard-sided case. So it is probably best to plan for all scenarios and transport your ammo in a locked, hard-sided case (such as a pistol box or cash box).

Republic of South Africa Firearms Rules:

South African Firearm Import Procedures (from the PHASA website).

Many hunters use the services of one of these companies to acquire their South African firearms permits in advance.

RiflePermits

Optima

Air 2000

Transhipment of Firearms Through the UK:

Below is general guideline. Confirm this in advance with your travel agent.

It is my understanding that if you are only changing planes in the same airport, then you need only confirm with your airline (or both airlines, if you are changing airlines) that your bags and firearms will be tranferred. If, however, you are changing airports, then you must have a bonded carrier transport your firearms to the other airport.

It is my understanding that British Airways requires advance notice that you will be transporting firearms. Also, British Airways will not transport firearms to Zimbabwe.

The following information is from the UK Embassy.

Departure from a different terminal to that of arrival (within the same airport).
The visitor is not able to take possession of the firearms while at the airport. Therefore arrangements must be made with the airline to transfer the firearms from the terminal of arrival to that of departure.

Departure from a different airport to that of arrival.

Since it is not possible for an individual to take possession of the firearm while it is in transit the weapon must be held by HM Customs & Excise at the point of entry until it is collected by a bonded carrier who will deliver it to the point of departure.

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) can provide a list of its member companies that provide a bonded carrier service for firearms:

British International Freight Association
Redfern House
Browells Lane
Feltham
Middlesex
TW13 7EP
England
Tel: +44 (0)20 8844 2266
Fax: +44 (0)20 8890 5546
E-mail: bifa@bifa.org
www.bifa.org

Transhipment of Firearms Through the Netherlands (Amsterdam):

Link to Netherlands' Embassy Website

Links to Airline Websites:

Domestic Carriers:

Alaska Airlines

American Airlines

Continental Airlines

Delta Airlines

Northwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines

United Airlines

US Airways

International Carriers:

South African Airlines

This is all I can find on their website. I couldn't link to it, so here is a copy.

Can my firearm travel with me?

Yes, however all firearms must be declared at time of check in and may not be checked in as checked baggage. The firearm must be handled via the designated firearm handling process.

Hand Held Firearms

A R100 handling fee is raised for the carriage of hand held firearms. Payment will only be accepted in the form of credit cards or cash at the firearm desk or allocated firearms acceptance area. These firearms will be processed at the firearm desk for safe carriage in the hold of the aircraft.

Rifles (in gun case/rifle bags)

Rifles must be processed via the firearm desk for safe carriage and may form part of your free baggage allowance. Thereafter the excess baggage allowance will be raised as applicable

Ammunition

A maximum of 5kg securely boxed ammunition per passenger will be permitted for carriage in the hold of the aircraft.

Import of Firearms

Strict legislation on the carriage / importation of hand held firearms exist in almost all countries and heavy fines could be imposed on the passenger and the carrier should such items be landed without the necessary documentation (e.g. import permits / licence etc.) It is the RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PASSENGER to consult with the local consulate of the country to which he / she will be travelling (including transit / stopovers where applicable) to establish and comply with all entry requirements of the countries concerned.

RSA citizens and residents require RSA firearm licence. Visitors require a Temporary Import Permit. Temporary import permit will only be issued for foreign hunters and participants in an organised sport shooting event. Temporary Import permit can be obtained on arrival or at least four weeks before arrival in RSA from "The Registrar, Private bag X 811, Pretoria, 0001, Republic of South Africa. The application form (SAPS 520) for the Temporary Import Permit and Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 can be obtained on arrival.

Requirements:

* Passport
* Return airline ticket
* Firearm licence (or proof of ownership) from country of residence.
* Invitation letter from Outfitter or Sport shooting event organiser (on official letterhead)
* Letter from owner of firearms stating the reasons why the firearms are needed in South Africa
* Address where person will stay in SA
* Export permit from country of residence.

Restrictions:

* No automatic, semi-automatic firearms or military weapons are allowed
* No firearms for self-defence allowed
* Only one firearm per calibre allowed
* Only 200 rounds of ammunition allowed per firearm
* No handguns may be imported to South Africa without the necessary prior obtained permits
* Person must be 21 years and older to enable them to import a firearm to South Africa

Arrival in South Africa

All firearms entering the country must be cleared via the SAPS Firearms Office. Kindly complete the necessary forms, after clearing this process, a temporary Import Permit is issued, and you will be able to clear customs.



KLM

This is all I could find on their website:

Can I bring a hunting rifle aboard?

Guns, firearms and weapons are not permitted aboard the aircraft as carry-on luggage.
Passengers are not allowed to carry firearms or any other weapons or replicas thereof into the cabin. These articles have to be checked in and transported in the hold of the aircraft. A reservation made in advance through a reservations office is required and will need to be confirmed. Firearms are not permitted aboard the Fokker 50 or any aircraft smaller than this.
In most cases, prior consent from Dutch Customs is required for the carriage of firearms to or via Amsterdam.

If originating in the US, KLM refers you to the Northwest Airlines website (see above).