Guys,

Any experience out there traveling with firearms on KLM to Zimbabwe through Amsterdam?

I've always made the trip on SAA or Delta, going either non-stop Atlanta to JoBerg or stopping in Dakar. I'm looking at a routing through Amsterdam that flies directly into Harare. Is there an arms embargo from Europe into Zim that would prevent this?

Hi Todd
There is currently an arms embargo against Zim by the EEC.
No EEC airline will carry firearms into Zim for an EEC national, but I'm not sure that this covers firearms originating from a none EEC country.
Another point worth noting however is that the combinations at the top of my list for lost baggage are Air France / Paris and KLM / Amsterdam.
Regards
Rob

Thanks Rob.

Todd,

They won't carry guns to Zim. Doesn't matter about your nationality.

Mark

Mark,

That's what I thought. Thanks for the info.

One word . . . Emirates.

actually I have heard of cases where people are now checking guns direct to Harare via London of all places ....

but you are better off not taking the chance, book thru to JNB and then use a separate ticket to HRE.

I didn't know KLM flew direct to HRE ... as far as I know the only airlines that don't transit via JNB are Ethiopian, and Air Zim.

Todd,

In 2006 I too was tired of the SAA/Delta flights through JNB, and I liked my KLM experiences to Dar many times, so I routed myself from DFW through Amsterdam, then Kenya, then Harare (all that was available at the time). This route allowed me to avoid the firearm issue at that time. I don't know the result today, but some of the experienced travel agents should have present knowledge to assist you or check the airline regulations online.

As an aside, it took me 43 travel hours to return since I had to land in Mozambique, then Kenya, then Amsterdam, then Detroit, then DFW. I haven't taken that trip since. I recently travelled to JNB using Delta and the experience was as good as that long flight can get. Mike Jines may have a solution to consider.

Good luck.