I was just told by Mr. Tromp of the Netherlands that I cannot carry a bow and arrow through there. He says that it will be confiscated as an illegal weapon. He says there is no permit application for a bow and arrow.

In his next breath he says there will be no problem with the permit for my 416 Rem Mag and 60 rounds!

Anybody got any info on this? I'm due to leave in a month!

Don, this has got to be a mistake, unless of a recent change since last fall, beccause my clients and I have gone through there twice in the last 12 months with bows. Might try checking higher up.

A bow is not a legal hunting weapon in The Netherlands. That said, there are bow target shooters in The Netherlands.... ??

This e-mail address - info@knhs-concordia.org - belongs to the Royal Dutch Bow Shooting Association.
This is their english website
Shoot them an e-mail. If they won't reply to your English message I can try and call them one day, and talk Dutch to them.

I find Mr. Tromp's assertion a bit steep, but I've been away from that country for 3 1/2 years now, no telling what they changed in the mean time.

Frans

Frans,

I saw many archery sites in Holland, but I never saw a single compound bow in any of the pictures. They were all traditional. I'll try emailing the site you mentioned.

Bob,

I hope this is a mistake, it surely does seem nonsensical. But I have at risk $3k in fees, not to mention more than $1K in archery equiment.

I find it disconcerting to say the least!

This pic is from the site Frans linked to. Definitely a compound. As is this one...



I say if you just check the bow in your luggage all the way through you'll probably be OK. I know that isn't reassuring at all though! There has had to be hundreds of hunters with bows go through Amsterdam over the years.

Cheers,
Canuck

Canuck,

Thanks for the photos. I'll have to start wearing my specs!

My "bow case" is the other half of my rifle case. If they even cursorily examine the rifle case they will see the other compartment.

Does anybody know what the customs process is for transiting Amsterdam? Do you have to go through a customs line escorting your baggage a la Atlanta, or do you never see the checked baggage?

I can't help but worry, when it was the customs department (Mr Tromp) that told me the law. I am sure that it's like it is here, and the "laws" vary with the particular agent, but it is not conforting to consider that they might just confiscate the whole "illegal package" that also contains my rifle!

When transiting Amsterdam yoou don't have to clear customs. You never leave the international transiting area. I'd check with the gate agent when boarding to make sure that your baggage is on board. Sure hope you get the bow issue straightened out.

-Steve

Latest word from my outfitter is that Mr Tromp has re-confirmed that "bows will be confiscated" in Amsterdam.

Have also had many anecdotes of people successfully going through with one.

Also have had confirmation that compound bows are legal to own in Holland, but illegal to hunt with. The Netherlands native wondered if the offending articles were actually the broadheads. (See thread on broadheads in England.)

Don I have not travelled through Amsterdam in a few years now. However every time I have, the luggage was sent clear through to the USA. I never once opened or had to get my luggage checked. I don't know how that would easliy happen with a connecting flight since your not staying in Amsterdam but just passing through. I cannot imagine them holding the Joburg flight to go through all the luggage in transit from every other international destination.

I suppose with that said my lay overs were always 5-8 hours or more, so I guess there would be time? How would they even find you since you don't collect your bags but just send them straight through?

In all the trips I made through there I never collected my bags and they never asked me a word about them.

JJ,

Hopefully that's still the way it works!

I am no longer going through London. Will be transitting through Amsterdam as well. When do you leave Don?

quote:

Originally posted by Don_G:
JJ,

Hopefully that's still the way it works!

Any final word? Will you roll the dice and try to take it through? I really can't see them seizing a legal weapon, particularly when you won't be hunting in the Netherlands with it. Putting your BHs in your checked luggage should solve that issue, eh? How would they spot them there and correlate them to the bow in another case? I expect you may have a couple of gift skinning knives for the trackers, etc....the Bh's would blend right in on an x-ray.

Cheers,
Canuck

Canuck,

I am having Gracy check it out, as well as Adam.

My inclination is to go with it. The Netherlands organizer of international compound archery competitions says that they have never had a problem or needed a permit.

Don,

I believe the key here is if you have to "officially" enter Holland. I don't believe you are planning to do so. Customs areas are (at least they used to be) international areas. If you don't plan to officially enter their country. I don't see how their laws can apply to you if you choose to remain in the customs area until your flight leaves. Then as JJ suggests your baggage will be checked straight through.

If your flight changeover in Amsterdam requires you to "Officially" enter Holland, I'd be a little concerned. Your travel agent should at least be able to clear up that point.

quote:

Originally posted by Don_G:
Canuck,

I am having Gracy check it out, as well as Adam.

My inclination is to go with it. The Netherlands organizer of international compound archery competitions says that they have never had a problem or needed a permit.

Sounds good to me Don. Of course thats easy for me to say, with my expensive bow snug in it usual resting place at home with no risk of being seized.

Cheers,
Canuck

Just got confirmation from KLM that all is well.

I can take one bow and one rifle in one box - ammunition must be in a separate box.

Good to GO!

I am printing the email to take with me!

Latest word:

On my rifle license (in English) it says:
" For a bow you don't need a transitlicense, only the arrows might be a problem because the transit of normal arrows is also no problem, but if they have cutting edges it is forbiden to transport them through the Netherlands."

I reckon my broadheads are gonna be with my ammo in the checked luggage.