A couple of friends are visiting Ontario in September and they wish to bring their shotguns for some fun time at the marsh. To be precise they will be bringing one Beretta and one Breda semi auto hunting shotguns.
Does any one know what is required to do to pass through the UK? They will be checking the baggage right trough from Gudja airport to Pearson Int in Toronto. I'm under the presumption that the British laws might require some paper work to let the firearms to pass through their turf. .

On this end (Canadian) it's quite simple.
-   Unloaded in an airline approved case.
-   A trigger lock or cable lock are not mandatory but would be nice.
-   Written declaration that is downloadable form the CFC website of the RCMP and a $25 fee.
-   And declare them at the border with CBSA.

But I don't know the procedures the other side of the Atlantic.

Thanks

Lawrence

hi lcd , if the guns are checked in from luqa to canada then they do not require paper work in the uk , but if they are doing a checkin in the uk then you need the paper work . for here all they have to do is go with there current lpolice license to the weapons office in floriana together with an invitation from were they will be staying in canada , and the police will issue a eu firearms permit and order a police escort for when they depart .

Hi Panzer I take it that the EU firearms permit is good even for the UK. I know that if they don't take the bags out they really shouldn't require any thing but you never know. The guns will still be on British soil and we all know how tight ass the British gun laws are.

3 guys from my club went for an IPSC match in Australia a bunch of years back. They changed planes in the Philippines but never touched the bags. When they boarded the 2nd plane, OMG did they ever get in trouble?! The cops went on board and dragged them back down and put them in a cell at gun point for having hand guns in their suit cases. Even though the cases were being transferred between planes apparently they needed to let the Pilipino authorities know about the guns.

I didn't know that in Malta a police escort is required to take a fire arm in a case to the airport.  I’ll inform them with that. Any idea on the fees for that?

LCD, things to note.

As previous, if the check-in is not straight through, then paperwork is needed. I can get you in contact with someone in the UK who will happily give advice even if his services are not needed, just to make sure.

Secondly, if the semis can take more than 2 in the mag, in the UK it is no longer a shotgun but a firearm, so it will need to be treated as such paperwork-wise, conditional as above, if necessary of course.

Thirdly must make sure that the carriers will actually carry. Airmalta do, for a fee of 15 Ewrops each way.

Have not yet travelled with any of my guns but last I asked (someone who had, not the Police) the Police escort here did not come at a fee.

I'm sure that if prepared there will be no issues. At least the UK are civilised, though from experience purchasing a few airguns from there, if you have to mess with Airport staff they really have no clue!

RB

Why fly via the UK? They could go via another hub like Schiphol or Frankfurt - that should mean less worries.
Just an idea....

fee is about 35 euros for 1 policeman for up to 6 guns , for the uk the eu firearms pass is not enough you need a uk visitors permit , but if the guns are handled by the airline and checkin to canada is done from malta then you hav no probs .

Thanks guys that was very helpful