Has anyone carried empty brass and bullets as components on an airline previously? I have a PH friend who has purchased a 500 Jeffery and he asked me to bring 40 empty brass and 40 bullets, unloaded. I'm wondering if the airline is going to try and count that toward my 11 lbs limit on ammo?

Currently, I have it packed in the same separate and lockable case with my other ammo. Common sense says I should be able to convince the agents that it isn't ammo but then common sense with the airline agents is a bit like unicorns and Obama's Utopia! I'm exactly on the 11 lbs limit without these components and since I'm hauling a 577NE, there really isn't much room to reduce that weight.

Experiences?

Pack the items in your check luggage, however you do not have to put it in your ammo box with your ammo.

Make sure the cases are clean. And secured in a box or plastic box and taped shut.

If you want to lose them try get through airport security. They have no common sense...

Bwana,

I took the brand new brass out of the plastic bag they came in, and put them into plastic ammo boxes like my other ammo. The bullets are still in the CEB boxes they came in, all taped shut. I put it in the ammo box with my hunting rounds as I didn't want the bag pulled when X-Rayed due to seeing "ammo", mainly the empty cases, outside of a lockable container.

Any one else actually done this before?

Todd, I have had components confiscated when trying to carry-on.

Terry,

I can see that happening but I'm not attempting to carry on the components, rather they are packed in my checked baggage with the regular ammo. Have you tried that? This really is an issue of whether or not the components will be counted as part of the 11 lbs allowance. I suppose it will all come down to who is manning the counter Thursday morning at DFW.

First, I'm not sure they X-ray checked bags. I took a box of 50 458 Lott cases and a number of boxes of 7mm bullets to my PH last year when I went over. Just put them in the bottom (down near where the lid attaches) of my suit case, and didn't say anything. I have never had anyone look into my suit case to see if I had extra ammo. I don't use an ammo case, just toss it in the suit case, then when at the area where they're checking the rifles, etc., (other end), pull out the loaded stuff and show them that. I've never had anyone on this end look into my suit case to see what was in it when going out. When I say toss it in, put it in so it's padded with some clothes to keep it from jumping around, and suit case generally tight enough packed, it isn't going anywhere. If you do use a ammo carrier, or whatever, also just put the real ammo in it. I have also never had anyone, anywhere, weigh my ammo. I don't really recall them checking to see how much I had when going through the firearms area at Joburg. I had more than on my list, as at the last minute decided to take a 2nd rifle, and the leader of the group, just added a line and wrote in the extra ammo. I think there's too much concern about the ammo thing. They are to check the ammo you have against your ammo declaration SAP50 form. Don't put the components on it, and don't mention them and they won't look or know or care.

I also lock my ammo box and the bag that i put it in.

I have had my ammo checked and weighed in
South Africa. my locked bag was under the 11lb limit. with my knife in it.

Ammo was inspected in Zimbabwe to match paper work.

Just pack your empty in the plastic boxes and bullets along with your clothing and you should be fine.

I have had my checked bags check the past 3 years...with a little note inside telling me they had done so.

Just put a note with your phone number on the outside of your case for them to call you if they need to get into the bag. I usually wait for the inspection process to take place. However At Seattle they wanted to get inside my locked ammo box to see what was all in there (6 boxes of ammo). They thought they were loose...

Todd:
I have taken components with me to Africa many times and a mate did the same to Australia last June. They do not count as weighed ammo (make sure the brass is unprimed) as it is not ammunition--just brass and lead. That said, if the person who examines your bags is in a bad mood because Dorothy dropped a house on her sister earlier that day, anything goes.

Never try to take them in a carry on bag and declare to the ticket agent what you have so you are up front with all. Of course, beginning my flights from Anchorage is a bit more relaxed than if I was to begin in D.C., but, as stated, I've never had an issue since the 90s both here and in Zim and in South Africa on landing. Also, the components I brought did not match the caliber of my rifle(s) and that was OK in my travels, too.
Cheers,
Cal

I carried bullets and empty brass last June, packed in checked bag...no problem. I found one of the TSA thingies they leave in your bag if they search your bag between the bullets and brass, so I guess TSA had no problem with it. I've done like Todd also and put them in MTM cases.

Karl

Thanks Cal. Your post is exactly my situation. The brass is new and unprimmed and the headstamps do not match my rifles. Of course as you and I have both stated, "Dorothy" can be the fly in the ointment even with all in compliance.

I have to check the bags twice, once in DFW to Dulles on American and I know they will not inspect it. Then, since AA will not interline bags any longer to another carrier internationally, I have to claim them and recheck with SAA in Dulles. That is where I have the concerns as SAA often will ask to weigh it and Washington is not exactly a "firearms friendly" locale!! I'm still thinking that putting them in the same container, locked, with the ammo is best as every trip over and back so far have produced the little card in my bags stating that an inspection occurred. Don't want the bag pulled because some "expert" found what he thinks is ammo loose outside of the locked box.

I've found that if you treat it like loaded ammo placing it in a plastic airline approved or original packing style box, both brass and bullets you'll have no issues.

Trying carry in ANYTHING that has to do with a firearm in today's world is just not smart. So like you said check it.

At the risk of asking what might perhaps be an awkward question, why does he need them to come from overseas?

.500 Jeffery components are readily available from several sources in Africa and probably also at a cheaper price as well.

When going through London my checked luggage has systematically been opened, so don't count on it going under the radar.

Good luck on that, Todd. I agree with the other comments. It will probably work if you don't get an asshole for a TSA inspector. And thank you for flying American!

quote:

Originally posted by cal pappas:
That said, if the person who examines your bags is in a bad mood because Dorothy dropped a house on her sister earlier that day, anything goes.


Cheers,
Cal

Todd,
if you don't mind, I'd like to know how that works. My PH always needs reloading stuff.
Thanks
Rick

Rick,

I'll let you know when I get back.

Steve,

I don't know why he wanted me to bring it along. He's in Zim if that matters, not RSA.

OK guys, I'm really glad I started this thread. I just received a PM from a VERY respected source on international trade in firearms and ammo and was told that it is ILLEGAL to export brass and bullets, or any other reloading components out of the USA without an export license from the U. S. State Department.

That being established, I'm not taking them.

Todd,
Thanks for the info. My PH ain't worth going to jail for. Nice guy but I don't need a boyfriend.

Todd,

Your PH, whoever and wherever he is might like to contact someone such as Ken Stewart in Pietersburg, Sabi Rifles in Nelspruit and/or GS Custom in PE and between them, they'll be able to supply whatever he needs for whatever calibres he needs and probably at a very good price.

There's even postal and courier services available that'll be able to deliver to other African countries.......... cleft sticks aren't as popular as they used to be.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
OK guys, I'm really glad I started this thread. I just received a PM from a VERY respected source on international trade in firearms and ammo and was told that it is ILLEGAL to export brass and bullets, or any other reloading components out of the USA without an export license from the U. S. State Department.


That being established, I'm not taking them.

That is correct. I was about to post this and saw this post. The Border Patrol and DHS routinely seize reloading components heading to Canada. It use to be many of us would head south of the border to buy reloading supplies we can't readily get at home and better prices. Now it is illegal and has been for a number of years.

For a long time shooters thought it was 'dumb Canadian laws', when in fact it is the US. There are companies now however that do this for a fee. One of them (I have used them and it was very efficient) is:

www.reloadinginternational.com