Transfer through Dubai with Firearms

[jwb300]

Anyone transferred through Dubai with firearms? What's involved? Looking at a flight where I may have to connect through Dubai and change airlines.

Thanks in advance,
JWB300

 

[Ian]

I've never researched it myself, but one of my colleagues had several brand new M4, and 9MM magazines taken from him from his checked bags. I have travelled through with holsters, with little trouble, but never a weapon.

 

[jwb300]

Thanks Ian - I will just have a bolt action rifle so hopefully a little less complicated

 

[Ian]

yeah hopefully, good luck.

 

[Bubblehide]

I strongly suggest that you check with both airlines, and with organizations like NRA and Safari international. Since you transferring carriers, you want to be sure there are no import/export regulations that you need to abide by. I gave this advice to a guy I went to Alaska with decades ago, he didn't follow the advice because his "father traveled airlines with guns all the time". Low and behold his gun was confiscated at the airport; he did however manage to get it back after a long drawn out legal battle.

 

[Tango1]

I agree with Bubblehide, be very sure about the reg's and have multiple copies of everything/documents in writing. I've had armor, knives and related gear taken while passing through for work years ago. I do think we were getting "special treatment" as Americans, but do everything possible to reduce your risks.

 

[jwb300]

Thanks Guys - I do not have the luxury of the NRA and SCI as I am in Australia. I'm not sure they would give me advice. We are currently looking at flights that don't involve transferring. Looks like Qatar airlines has a flight that we can take from Sydney - Doha - Baku without having to transfer. Will have 8-13 hours to kill in the airport but that should give us a little extra time for our bags to get onto the connecting flight. The other option is through Turkey but it transfers through Singapore and Istanbul... Another step for things to go wrong...

Cheers
JWB300

 

[Bubblehide]

Okay, then check with your Embassy/Consulate offices in each country; they should be able to assist you. Additionally, Check with the countries Embassy/Consulate offices within Australia, those countries you'll be going through. You might think of joining Safari Club International (SCI) or any other membership group that provides such advice, as the cost is likely worth it, and many keep current on regulations involving traveling with guns. I would say NRA, but they are a U.S. organization, and I don't honestly know if they provide information on international travel with guns. However, you could always call them or any other group, and ask, prior to joining. Going from one country to another is generally pretty straight forward, but I am unsure what is involved in a stop over in a third country, then add the transfer of airlines, and I have no clue.

Best of luck, I hop eit all goes smooth, and you have a successful hunt!

 

[jwb300]

Okay, then check with your Embassy/Consulate offices in each country; they should be able to assist you. Additionally, Check with the countries Embassy/Consulate offices within Australia, those countries you'll be going through. You might think of joining Safari Club International (SCI) or any other membership group that provides such advice, as the cost is likely worth it, and many keep current on regulations involving traveling with guns. I would say NRA, but they are a U.S. organization, and I don't honestly know if they provide information on international travel with guns. However, you could always call them or any other group, and ask, prior to joining. Going from one country to another is generally pretty straight forward, but I am unsure what is involved in a stop over in a third country, then add the transfer of airlines, and I have no clue.

Best of luck, I hop eit all goes smooth, and you have a successful hunt!

Thanks Bubblehide - I am a member of SCI Downunder but they are no-where near the organisation that they are in the US.

I've since looked into this in a bit of detail. Turns out Qatar will not transport any hunting trophies (for lack of a better word) so they are off the list. Their website says they will not transport CITES listed species but in actual fact they will not transport ANY hunting trophies.

I am now looking at a flight through Dubai right now with Emirates that is connecting. Regardless of being a connecting flight or otherwise you need a permit to go through Dubai with a firearm/ammunition. From what I understand you submit the online form on the Emirates website and they obtain the relevant permits from Dubai Airport Police and Civil Aviation. I'm just waiting on confirmation of Emirates policy of transporting hunting trophies.

Our ability to hunt internationally is being whittled away - go and do it while you still can.

 

[Bubblehide]

Jwb300, I'm glad to read that your making progress. Yes, it's getting more and more complicated. I have a brother-in-law that was an ambassador here in the U.S. My suggestion is to take names and notes as you gather your information along with the contact information of those people you talk to, and keep it with you in your travels, so that if any issues arise, you will have a fighting chance of resolving them. From my limited experience, it is amazing how fast the political system can resolve issue, if and when they do arise.

 

[jwb300]

Yeah I always print off all them emails so I have them with me. I've just had confirmation that Emirates will transport hunting trophies provided they are not CITES listed.

I knew it wasn't going to be easy travelling to the far flung corners of the globe but the obstacles have started earlier than expected. Hopefully a bit of detailed planning will help make the trip a bit smoother.