Can anybody who's been lately tell me the rules on ammo from USA to TZ via NorthWest and KLM?

Can I put the 5 kg of ammo in the guncase? Must it be in a separate locked box within the guncase?

I seem to get doubletalk from the Airlines.

Thanks,

I flew that route with that airlines in 2002. I had 100 rounds of 416 Rem Mag in two plastic cases of 50 each. I declared the ammo and just carried them (checked) in an unlocked suit case. Everything was checked through to Dar and arrived without incident. Weigh the ammo to make sure it's not over 11lbs. I also made an almost identical trip last year but to Joberg and on to Bulawayo. Different ammo but same procedure Northwest to Amsterdam KLM to Joberg.There was new paper work to complete for Netherlands but luggage was checked through all the way to Bulawayo. I would recommend one of the travel agents who post here. I have used Gracy travel a number of times without complaint.

Don,

Northwest apparently allows guns and ammo in the same case.

NWA Firearms

Copy those provisions and take them with you in your carry-on bag.

Nothing on the KLM website about firearms. They just refer you back to the NWA website.

I don't think anyone requires a separate locked case for the ammo when it is transported in the guncase.

However, it is my experience that one has to plan for all possibilities. One never knows when a ticket agent decides that your ammo has to be in a separate locked case inside another pieced of luggage (other than your guncase).

My advice is to always start with your ammo in separate locked case in piece of checked baggage other than your guncase. In the event you get a ticket agent who requires the ammo to be in your guncase, then you can just transfer it over. [This happened to me last time as I was leaving Jo'burg for Harare. Ticket agent made me put my ammo in the guncase. When I went to the security office to check in my guncase for the flight, the security guys told me that the ammo can not be transported in the guncase. Honestly, these people just make this stuff up as they go along.] So best to be prepared for all possibilities. That is why I always start out with my ammo in a locked case in my luggage. If you start with your ammo in your guncase, then you won't be able to move your ammo to your other luggage unless you take a lockable case in your other luggage. Remember, the old rule in the US used to specifically state that ammo and firearms could not be in the same case. Many of the ticket agents still think this is the rule.

Regards,

Terry

P.S.
As you probably know from past discussions, a cash box or pistol case are probably the cheapest alternatives for securing ammo.

Don,
I traveled that route last year. The ammo on the trip over was in a separate bag from the rifle. It was an easy trip.

But... while in Tan I was using my carry on bag on the Land Rover and somehow did not get one round of 470 removed from it while packing up for the return. Additionally I had some spent bullets recovered from animals in the bag. I knew the recovered bullets were in there but the 470 had slipped down between some seams in the bottom of the bag.

Somehow the bag went through the scanners and inspectors at Dar with no problems and I carried it on.

Then in Amsterdam at the scanners at the departure lounge transferring to the plane to the US my bag set off all kinds of commotion. One of the scanner girls called the cops.

The airport police had me sit in a chair while one of them guarded me holding his hand on a revolver.

4 other police were having a spirited conversation about the 470 round. All the other passengers in the waiting lounge were near panic as they were sure I must be a terrorist.

The bag screener girls also nearly panicked and two of them were quite hysterical. I figured them as anti-hunters anyway.

Finally one older policeman came up and got the history of where I had been and asked if that round was live. I said - Very much so and I was sorry I had overlooked it etc.

The older policeman then congratulated me on my safari and said "Ok you can board but we are keeping this round."

He even allowed me to keep the bloody bullets I had dug out of animals.

All in all I thought he was more than fair given what I had done and told him so. Thank goodness all the Europeans are not antis.

Unfortunately when I was finally allowed to board (I held up the plane for about 15 minutes) all the other passengers eyed me very suspiciously as I went to my seat and every time I moved thereafter. I could just hear them thinking "Lets Roll" or something like that.

One of - but not the most stupid thing I ever did.

Thanks, guys.

It always bothers me when they make up the rules as they go along - but I see them do it almost every time.

Just to add a footnote to last years trip, I put my ammo cases inside a locked steel box thinking it was what they wanted.Declared it to ASA who proceeded to check it and relock ammo box placing it back inside unlocked suitcase. When my stuff arrived in Bulawayo someone had broken the lock and packed the ammo half assed jammed into the now open metal box. On another trip SAA from Kennedy the local cops insisted that I seperate the ammo from the gun case and put it in the unlocked suitcase even though the airlines said at that time the ammo should be in the locked gun case. Believe me it is all guess work depending on who's checking you in and the local procedure.I have never had a problem seperating the ammo from the rifles.

Don

Ask Adam he does it multiple times per year. He will know if anyone does. I also found KLM useless in answering gun questions. Gracy travel should be able to help also.

Mark

I used Gracy based on recommendations here.

The guy I got there seems to be next to useless. I get a response about every third try.

Don_G:
Try Shawn Brigance at Gracy. She is awesome! Knew the answer to every question I have regarding airlines, gun transfer, gun custody in different cities and was a lot of fun to boot! Knows her stuff!
ScottW

I can second Shawn, she is very knowledgable, very patient and very helpful.