Hi,

For next year I am planning to go to Zimbabwe then to Zambia for hunting. Prior to my Zim hunt my girlfriend and I will spend a week enjoying non-shooting Safari activities at Victoria falls etc.. Then she'll head home and I will start the hunting.

Airline regulations state 5kg per person, however the 4457s for the two firearms are in my name. Not to mention the declaration for Emirates asks the ammo weight for each caliber. Do I declare the actual weight and then tell them we are divvying up ammo? I will be down to 5kg or less after Zim for the Zambia leg so her leaving is not an issue.

If anyone has done this I'd be interested in your experiences.

HiAndy,
First, congratulations on a great hunt and great trophies-you certainty put the miles in!

The very situation of splitting ammo occurred while I was checking into my Emirates flight in Houston last month.

There were three hunters, a father and his his two adult sons checking into the same flight to Dubai on their way to Zambia. All three Gus were on the father’s 4457, and even though they were traveling together and had an invite letter from the outfitter with all three names, the limit was 5kg. Emirates would not let them “split” the weight.

It was a scramble sorting the ammo for all calibers, and ammo was left behind. I was told by the Emirates supervisor that walked me thru TSA etc, that the 4457 ties the ammo to the passenger and the firearm.

As we all know regulations change from time to time.Presently, Emirates requires the passenger to upload the 4457, the invite letter and flight itinerary. An approval email is sent within three to five days.

A long post to your question- hope it helps.

Ciao,
Jack

quote:

I was told by the Emirates supervisor that walked me thru TSA etc, that the 4457 ties the ammo to the passenger and the firearm

Yes.

You cannot change that.

And all airlines apply this.

tanks,

Just get a 4457 in your girlfriend's name. You then can both take 5 kg of ammo. It's simple and will avoid unnecessary angst on your trip.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
tanks,

Just get a 4457 in your girlfriend's name. You then can both take 5 kg of ammo. It's simple and will avoid unnecessary angst on your trip.

Mark

Mark, I am not sure that will work.

w5qzt covered it well in his response. The rifle and ammo are connected. When I visited with customs (it has been a few years and things change) the rifle and ammo need to match the traveler.

What rifle will tank's girlfriend use for the 4457?

A while back some told me he could not take ammo with him without a rifle.

Not sure if that still stands.

Bwana338,

That's exactly what I was trying to relay. One rifle in tank's name (4457) and one in his girlfriend's name (4457). That will allow them to both carry 5 kgs of ammo. Problem solved!

Mark

And make sure her name is on the Invite letter- at least Emirates gives us a time window if there is an issue

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Bwana338,

That's exactly what I was trying to relay. One rifle in tank's name (4457) and one in his girlfriend's name (4457). That will allow them to both carry 5 kgs of ammo. Problem solved!

Mark

The problem with that is I am the one that is hunting and using both rifles. She will be leaving Zim before the hunt starts. It would not be a problem at Zim customs to have everything declared in my name, unfortunately then have an issue for trip back with Emirates permits.

I guess I will make do with the 5kg of ammo.

Andy,

I'd be glad to travel to Zim with you just to carry a gun and ammo but not the girlfriend part.