Just got a message from a friend returning from Africa thru Newark, said CBP is advertising a $5000 fine will be imposed for having bolts in rifles. Didn’t get a photo of the sign, just the message.

Interesting. Shooting a message to Gracey to see if they've any knowledge of this. I always fly bolt(s) out at baseline, but seems like someone's making up rules here.....

quote:

Originally posted by Brandon.Gleason:
Interesting. Shooting a message to Gracey to see if they've any knowledge of this. I always fly bolt(s) out at baseline, but seems like someone's making up rules here.....

I always have the bolts out of my rifles when traveling.

But, I suspect there are a few idiots who don’t.

Might even have loaded rifles.

Happened at Dar airport a few years ago!

Now we have to go to the police to check them before we go to customs!

Almost always the case.

One idiot ruins it for everyone!

I just came through there 2 weeks ago bolts in gun and had no problemsat all.

There is zero authority for such a requirement.

None.

Any firearm must be unloaded.

That is all.

quote:

I always have the bolts out of my rifles when traveling.
Might even have loaded rifles.

I always remove the bolts from my rifles, or, in the case of a double or single shot, have the barrel separated from the receiver.
To Saeed’s point, a few years ago the executive director of a fairly well respected hunting organization in Texas had a cartridge eject from a rifle when a CBP officer worked the bolt upon arrival at DFW . There was some fast talking that went on…

What do I do with my Ruger No. 1?

I have never traveled with a bolt in and recommend the same to all who ask. It is just another layer against human error.

Next question. If you remove it, do you leave it in the rifle case or put it in another locked case with the ammo perhaps?

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
Next question. If you remove it, do you leave it in the rifle case or put it in another locked case with the ammo perhaps?

I have made leather holders for my rifle bolts.

They are put in there, and in the same case as the rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by bcap:
I just came through there 2 weeks ago bolts in gun and had no problems at all.

Not a mandatory regulation but no harm done if the bolt is separated from the rifle.

In some EU countries (Italy for sure) it is a law that the bolt be removed during transportation.

I went through Newark last week from Joberg. Didn't see any signs regarding the bolt being removed from your rifle. The customs guy clearing my rifles did mention to me that I should remove the bolt on future trips.

quote:

Originally posted by Labman:
I went through Newark last week from Joberg. Didn't see any signs regarding the bolt being removed from your rifle. The customs guy clearing my rifles did mention to me that I should remove the bolt on future trips.

I would guess it's that type of conversation that started this. One person gets told that they "should" remove the bolt and that gets told later as "CBP says that you must remove the bolt". Which then get's translated to, "CBP madates the bolt removal" then to "CBP is fining people who don't remove the bolts."

My last trip to Mongolia was about a month ago. I travel with the bolt out and in a leather case as Saaed suggests. Somewhere on the return trip someone managed to drop the firing pin in the bolt. Not a problem if you know how to recock it, but if you don't most bolts cannot be fully inserted into the action.