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CSF(ED): Journal of Updates
Carriage of Firearms and Ammunition on Aircraft and Ferries

Print version

ISLE OF MAN SHOOTING COUNCIL ADVICE NOTE
Effective date:  March 2004

 
CARRIAGE OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION ON AIRCRAFT
 
Extracts from International Air Transport Association (IATA) advice to passengers on the carriage of items falling within the scope of the Association's Dangerous Goods Regulations.

Ammunition

"With approval from the airline operator, you are permitted to take securely boxed ammunition in your checked baggage.  The ammunition must fall into the dangerous goods classification 1.4S.  You are limited to 5 kg for your own use.  Allowances for more than one passenger cannot be combined into one or more packages."

Dangerous Goods Classification
"In general, explosives are not permitted on passenger aircraft.  The exceptions are the so-called safety explosives.  These are division 1.4 and compatibility group "S"."
 
All airlines require notification at time of booking, including number of firearms to be carried.
 
All firearms must be covered by appropriate paperwork, including visitors' permits.

EUROMANX (Tel: 01624 829698)
Will carry rifles, shotguns and sports pistols OR ammunition.  Not both on the same flight.
All items must be securely boxed.

BRITISH AIRWAYS (Tel: 01624 826000)
Will carry firearms and ammunition but they must be packed separately in secure boxes and ammunition packages must not exceed the IATA limit of 5 kilos.

This service is only available on flights to London Gatwick, Birmingham and Luton.  It is NOT available on Manchester flights where, from April 2004, smaller aircraft have been introduced.

FLYBE (Tel: 01624 822162)
Will only carry rifles and shotguns, NOT pistols.  Will also carry ammunition subject to IATA limits.  All items must be securely boxed and ammunition must be boxed separately from firearms.

FLYKEEN (Tel: 01624 615151 or Richard on 0800 0837783)
Will carry firearms, which must be securely boxed.  Will also carry ammunition BUT on a separate flight and also securely boxed.  The airline will ask for copies of the relevant paperwork covering the firearms to be carried no later than the day before travel.  Flykeen operate flights IoM / Blackpool and IoM / Belfast City.

EASTERN AIRWAYS (Tel: 01652 680600
Will carry firearms, which must be securely boxed, on all flights.  Will also carry ammunition packed in separate secure containers.  Flights currently between IoM and East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle.

BRITISH NORTHWEST (Tel: 01624 617181)
Flights currently IoM / Blackpool only.  Aircraft too small to carry firearms or ammunition.

SECURITY AT RONALDSWAY (ISLE OF MAN) AIRPORT
Firearms and ammunition must be checked in with the airline, at which time they will be referred to Security, Police Special Branch, who will check the paperwork.  The firearms and ammunition will then be returned to the airline for carriage.  At its destination the equipment will be handed over by airline staff to that airport's Security people who will proceed with whatever paperwork checks and inspection they consider necessary.  PLEASE NOTE:  PROCEDURES AT EACH AIRPORT WILL VARY.


CARRIAGE OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION ON ISLE OF MAN STEAM PACKET COMPANY FERRIES

Passengers wishing to carry firearms and/or ammunition will only be accepted when travelling with a vehicle in which the firearms and/or ammunition can be secured.  Only firearms which are properly certificated, including visitors' permits, may be carried.  Passengers wishing to carry firearms and/or ammunition must declare their intention at the time of booking.

TRAVELLING WITH FIREARMS

Following a directive of the Isle of Man Department of Transport, under the Maritime Security Act 1995, the Steam Packet Company requires all persons wishing to travel with firearms to complete a formal declaration prior to travel, detailing the description of firearm(s), method of carriage, the declarer and the dates and times of travel.  Copies of the declaration can be obtained from either the Steam Packet Company Ferryshop in the Douglas Sea Terminal, the Company's Freight Office in Imperial Buildings, Douglas or by contacting the Freight Office on 01624 645620.

To avoid delays at the port customers are requested to complete the declaration prior to the day of travel, returning a copy to the Company's Freight Office.

When travelling with firearms passengers are requested to notify the check-in office at the port of departure both on the outward and return journeys.

TRAVELLING WITH AMMUNITION

In addition, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Dangerous Goods Code governs the regulations relating to the carriage by sea of ammunition.  There is also a requirement to declare ammunition (explosives) when entering a harbour area. 

NOTE:  Because of their construction, ammunition cannot be carried on the Company's fastcraft (Seacat, etc).

Customers wishing to travel with ammunition should contact the Steam Packet Company's Freight Office (01624 645620).  A Dangerous Goods Declaration (obtainable from the Freight Office) must be completed, detailing -

1   the shipper, port of loading, port of discharge and the vessel concerned;
2   the proper shipping name, IMO Class number, UN number;
3   net explosive mass of the goods and gross mass of the goods; and
4   registration mark of the vehicle carrying the goods.

Assistance in the completion of the Dangerous Goods Declaration is available from the Freight Office.  Customers are requested to obtain the proper shipping name and the UN number for the ammunition being carried.

The completed Dangerous Goods Declaration must be returned to the Freight Office at least 24 hours prior to travel -
    by fax:                  01624 645627
    by post/hand:        The Freight Department
                                Steam Packet Company
                                Imperial Buildings
                                Douglas
                                Isle of Man IM1 2BY.

The declaration will be made available to the Port Security and Police at both ends of the journey.

Failure to declare either firearms and/or ammunition prior to travel may result in the passenger not being allowed to travel or the firearms and/or ammunition being confiscated by the Port Security.

When travelling with ammunition passengers are requested to notify the check-in office at the port of departure both on the outward and return journeys.


TL
March 2004