Hey Guys, I will be hunting New cal in August this year. We will be coming through Sydney on to Nomea. My Question is... can we over night in Sydney at or around the airport and leave the guns in airport lock up so we donot have to enter Australian customs? Assuming we donot have to go through customs to make a conecting flight nto New Cal.

Thanks for your help...Max

Mate customs no longer holds guns at the airport for such circumstances. They used to but their federal bosses told them to stop doing it. I was just discussing it with a Customs agent the other day (trying to get it changed). Your only option at this time is to get a NSW firearms permit and import permit. That is one single application form but it is a bit of hassle and costs about $130... Let me know if you decide to do that and I will direct you to it.

This is the same kind of procedure if I was to do the same in the USA en-route to Canada or Mexico... except that would be even harder or impossible.

Who are you hunting with in New Cal??

Thanks Matt, do I still have to get an inport permit to make a connecting flight to Noumea if bags are checked through?
Hunting with Clarkie

Thanks so much...you da man

If the gun case is checked through to the connecting flight to New Caledonia I doubt it ever "enters" Australia or NSW.

But don't take my word for it.

Use one of JC`s rifles? Save a lot of fuss.

I can't check bags through to New cal because the connecting flight is booked from there, so we will have to pick up our bags and check them into the next flight. I think the flights going to Noumea are still international so I should'nt have to leave that terminal.
Thought about useing Johns gun, but I'm kind of anal about using my own rig...I have alot of fond memories from around the word when I look at that gun.

Thanks for the imput...Max

Max what about flying via New Zealand,no problem with firearms then.

Yes you will need import permit if you clear customs in Sydney.

I looked at that option, but United will not let me use my buku miles going that way and I like the non stop from San Fran... lost my bags on the Los Angelas detour lat year.
I'm not sure if we would clear customs making the flight to Nwe Cal. I think the Noumea flight is international so I might be able to check in without going out of the secure area.

If you have to recheck your bags onto another airline then yes you will have to clear customs.

Damn...I was hoping you would'nt say that. NSW gun permit, here I come.

quote:

Originally posted by maxart:
Damn...I was hoping you would'nt say that. NSW gun permit, here I come.

It wont be that much of a big deal mate - especially if you tell them that it is a 'transit' permit only to get to New Cal. Give them Clarkie's number too as a contact in Australia.

We have been trying hard to get this situation changed but there is a lot of resistence here and to complicate matters - each Australian state is slightly different.

Just a note to anyone else who may be thinking of transiting Australia to another country with guns. While it may be the case that you may be able to effect the transfer without clearing customs - the airlines do not guarantee that that will happen... if there is any changes to the flights they can just as easily put everyone through customs and if you dont have an import permit you could be in strife.

Another note to you Maxart... if you do go ahead and get the NSW permit - make sure they issue you with 2x B709 import permits... assuming you come back through Australia on your way out.... you may need both of them!!

Got it....Thanks Matt

When you have your flight itinerary set - if you are transfering on the same day you could always contact Customs in Sydney to get their opinion. I would recommend that - they may have some other solution - dont take my word for it. Customs will actually be better to ask these questions than the airline people....

I'll call them om Monday.

Thanks again