Waimea Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 Howdy Looking for info from pards that have travelled to Europe (specifically France) with their guns and shot a match there. What were your experiences: 1. flying there 2. getting into the country with guns and ammo. 3. Securing firearms when you were not shooting like at your residence there 4. Flying back 5. Getting back into the country with firearms. Thinking about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 Sacre' Bleu! Been nice knowing you! Say hello to Inspector Clouseau! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waimea Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 4 minutes ago, Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L said: Sacre' Bleu! Been nice knowing you! Say hello to Inspector Clouseau! Haha! Just traveling, not moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 You can get a certificate from Customs showing you possessed your firearms in the US before you left. This will prevent them from trying to collect duties on them when you return. Added note: the form number is 4457 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 Maybe @Equanimous Phil can shed some light. Personally I think you would be better off just taking your gun leather and borrowing firearms when you get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Equanimous Phil Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 1 minute ago, Sedalia Dave said: Maybe @Equanimous Phil can shed some light. I'm afraid, I'm not of much help as I haven't been shooting in France yet and don't know a French cowboy action shooter. I can only share some info about what I have to do and think of when crossing border to Germany (Switzerland is not part of the European Union). I would highly recommend to directly ask the French host club for guidance, or maybe another US shooting federation who regularly compete at French matches (IPSC, IDPA etc) can help. Please make sure that all info you'll get is up-to-date as gun laws in Europe change constantly. I tried to google the regulations for France (one result) and searched on https://www.douane.gouv.fr/ , but it seems to be complicated... Actually, one should find the info on this site (Import of war materials and arms, ammunition and their components from a country outside the EU). Site is in French only, but Google Translate works well. From my experience while travelling to Germany: Basically, there are always two aspects: Customs and firearms law. Gather information on both. The police may not care if you get your guns out of the country without a custom fee, and the customs authority may not care about your legal gun ownership. As @Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 mentioned, get a document from Customs that lists your firearms. Show it to French Customs as they may verify it. (I have a "European Firearms Pass / Europäischer Feuerwaffenpass", but this is only available for "Schengen Area") You need a "cause" to transport firearms. So, carry a starting list with your name on it, invitation etc., including round count. All firearms must be unloaded and locked in a container when transported on public ground, also in your personal car. Germany: The authority may ask you about guns. You can (don't know if you have to) show the guns, meaning you just open the container, but under no circumstances you will touch any gun as you're not allowed to handle a gun in public. The officer may touch it to check serial numbers etc. Only transport ammo that matches your guns. Only transport a reasonable amount of rounds for the intended event. Good luck, Equanimous Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Haller Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 I would add, don't bring anything you would really mind losing. There is always a chance something will go wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waimea Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 8 minutes ago, Sacramento Johnson #6873 said: I would add, don't bring anything you would really mind losing. There is always a chance something will go wrong... Thought about that. $5000 worth of firearms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Sun Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 If they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese a Royal with Cheese in France...I wonder what they call a revolver in .38 special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Gatlin, SASS 10274L Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 18 minutes ago, Cypress Sun said: If they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese a Royal with Cheese in France...I wonder what they call a revolver in .38 special. Trente-Huit Spécial Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kajun Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 Waimea, I'd advise against you carrying ANYTHING that would show the business you own or what you do for a living. I'm sure if you had any type of encounter and it went south that information would not be of benefit toward you. Kajun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waimea Posted November 28, 2022 Author Share Posted November 28, 2022 2 hours ago, Krazy Kajun said: Waimea, I'd advise against you carrying ANYTHING that would show the business you own or what you do for a living. I'm sure if you had any type of encounter and it went south that information would not be of benefit toward you. Kajun I am just a citizen of the world in France. As anonymous as I can be. Thanks for the warning though I appreciate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Buck Posted November 28, 2022 Share Posted November 28, 2022 Reach out to Elder Katie or Mud Flat Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 On 11/27/2022 at 8:50 PM, Waimea said: Howdy Looking for info from pards that have travelled to Europe (specifically France) with their guns and shot a match there. What were your experiences: 1. flying there 2. getting into the country with guns and ammo. 3. Securing firearms when you were not shooting like at your residence there 4. Flying back 5. Getting back into the country with firearms. Thinking about it. Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Duncan Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Rye Miles #13621 said: Why? Isn't it logical that Waimea wants to travel to Europe and that's the why of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Sun Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 2 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said: Why? He probably heard that there are never fired MAS-36 rifles laying on the ground everywhere. Just pick up a cart full and ship them home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowstone Vic SASS#32968 Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 Waimea, You might try sending a PM to Frenchie Boy. He is an RO instructor in Ardeche France. He and a friend have been to the United States to shoot Winter Range several times and could possibly help or could give you a contact to help navigate the process (if it's possible). I personally do not think it will be easy. You will need a current customs form for your firearms to prove ownership. When Kat and I went to Africa we also added to camera equipment (anything of high value) to the form. For all of her faults, The USA is still a very great place to enjoy our rights and freedom. Vic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 Some people should just not try to take certain things to certain places. Waimea taking guns to France is one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waimea Posted November 29, 2022 Author Share Posted November 29, 2022 1 hour ago, Badlands Bob #61228 said: Some people should just not try to take certain things to certain places. Waimea taking guns to France is one of them. I have always thought that having an alias is a great idea. Now more than ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted November 29, 2022 Share Posted November 29, 2022 @Birdgun Quail, SASS #63663 was there on vacation this summer. You might PM him for suggestions on places to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waimea Posted November 30, 2022 Author Share Posted November 30, 2022 1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said: @Birdgun Quail, SASS #63663 was there on vacation this summer. You might PM him for suggestions on places to see. Thanks, I will contact him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted November 30, 2022 Share Posted November 30, 2022 23 hours ago, Matthew Duncan said: Isn't it logical that Waimea wants to travel to Europe and that's the why of it? Yea but he says he's just "thinking about it", I'm trying to casually tell him to stay home! Going to Europe for a vacation is one thing but taking guns and going to a shoot is just asking for problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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