This is a post to help first time international travelers attending IPSC PCC and Mini Rifle World Shoot in the Czech Republic.
A quick overview
This is the first time in recent years (at least the last ten I've been participating in world shoots) that USPSA has had this level of pre-match organization in order to help our country's participants navigate the process of travelling with firearms internationally.
In order to give first-timers a place to check that they are doing things correctly, I'm going to share an international travel checklist.
1 - Documents - There are numerous documents to travel internationally with firearms. The process can vary, depending on the country. And it can change. Here are the basics:
Passports - Check that your passport does not expire within six months of the end of your trip. Ensure you have it to enter data for flights and for your firearms permit.
Import / Export for or Customs Border Patrol CBP for 4457 - You will need this to board your flight, and to show to CBP upon return to the USA. It is supposed to be "good for the life of the item", but some airline agents and even CBP agents do not know this. You should call the nearest CBP office and confirm their hours. Tell them you are coming to do the 4457 for firearms and want to make sure you're going to the right place (sometimes offices change location at airports or are closed for lunch). Doing this a month out is helpful and saves time the day of travel ---- but you also might get to the airport and be told "it needs today's date" and be forced to go to CBP that day and redo the form. Don't panic. It's why you should be at least 3 hours early for an international flight.
Match Invitation - You will need this to show the airline and the customs when you arrive to the country that you are traveling to. For the trip to Czech Republic, you will need this for obtaining your permit. And it should come from match staff to your consulate via email.
Permit from the country you are travelling to - This will be required by the airline when you board, by the customs office when you land and depart, possibly by the match staff at check in. Generally, you are required to keep this on your person when travelling with firearms in the country you go to.
Optional and often needed to obtain the permit:
Proof of firearm ownership - Most other countries require proof of ownership of the firearm before they will issue a permit. We have used a receipt or letter from a sponsor with serial numbers.
License to own the firearm - This one gets controversial....US citizens often use their concealed carry license, or obtain a letter from their local sheriff saying "they are a citizen in good standing and own the firearm listed (list serial numbers), and will be travelling to Czechia for IPSC World Championship" . They actually do this often for hunters, so it's not uncommon. It might cost a few $. While US citizens do not need a permit to own a gun, other countries don't even understand this. You can do the letter from a sheriff, if you don't have a concealed carry license. The "ask" from airlines is usually just a box check - they don't understand that we don't have that requirement. It's less confusion and hassle to give them something. Calling your airline as soon as you book and requesting permission to travel with firearms, as well as asking what documents they will want to see on the day of travel will help you avoid being blindsided.
2 - Flights:
Fly direct if possible. Consider flying to US airport that has a direct flight the day before (or much earlier in the day) so you don't have to make an international connection. A direct flight lowers the risk of your firearms and ammo getting lost, held up or delayed.
Book a flight that arrives at a time rental counters are open. Prague airport has a hotel walking distance from terminal and rental cars are also walking distance. If you have an early flight after the match, consider staying at airport hotel and dropping your car off the night before so you have less to do the morning of departure.
Book with enough travel time before and after event. Consider that hundreds of people flying with firearms the day that you do means longer wait times at customs. If you have to fly the day after the event ends, consider a late morning flight so that you can avoid the morning rush at airline counters and customs. International airports often do not open their counters and customs as early as USA customs. You might get checked into your flight and face an hours-long wait at customs and then miss your flight.
Call your airline before you book to 1) confirm SPORTING firearms are permitted, 2) that you have the correct rules on how they are packed (eg. LOT Airlines wants a hard-sided ammo box ,even though their web site does not specify this) , and 3) to ask them if they will send you written confirmation that they gave permission for ALL LEGS OF TRAVEL (departure and return). This might mean calling multiple airlines - get on the phone and do this. Prepare to sit on hold and get answers now to avoid troubles when you travel.
Permit to Transit Countries
If you plan to fly through Amsterdam, Vienna (Austria), or Ireland, you will need a permit to transit.
Amsterdam - online permit, need match invitation, passport, and copy of state permit (concealed carry will work)
Austria - Online permit , cost: 42 Euros - need FBI background check (cost $18) and state permit.
Ireland - Online Permit for firearms only NO AMMO MAY BE CARRIED THROUGH IRELAND.
For other countries you might plan to transit, be sure to check with the airline/ other competitors, do some research online to make sure that you will not have any issues. There have been competitors in the past who have been denied boarding a return to USA flight because they did not have the transit permit for Netherlands. It's absolutely necessary.
I know last Zoom call for the team, David P. brought up that he's navigated Heathrow unscathed...but I know very experienced travelers who won't even try. The airlines are the biggest issue, as I believe British Airways only allows ammo with .22 diameter or less, i.e. no 9mm.
ESS Member Portal
When you log into the ESS portal, know this is different for us for the first time in a decade.
Be sure to confirm your serial numbers and your passport and flight numbers. This cannot be emphasized enough! Have another person triple check the serial numbers and passport numbers with you!
When you make changes, always hit the "update registration" button at the bottom of page.
In past years, your permit and other documents show up as a hyperlink on your portal page and you will need to download and print.
Sometimes IPSC has a presence in the airport and they will be sharing the details of our flights and who is coming into the country with firearms.
3- Packing Firearms and Ammo for Travel
No matter how many times you've done this, you will find hurdles. Try to be positive and speak to facts instead of getting upset.
Call and confirm how the airline wants guns and ammo packed.
Ammo is generally it is a "locked, hard-sided container". Sometimes (LOT - Polish airline) the airline will not specify hard-sided container, but demand it at airport. A good practice is to use a plastic ammo can, because you can lock it. (Some countries require locked, hard-sided case.)
Bring spare locks. Lock each locking space on your gun case. This can be a problem if you say, have space for 3 locks and you just use two. It depends on airline, agent etc. So throw a spare set of locks into your carry on so that you have them. And a spare lock for ammo. A simple, cable-style TSA lock for the ammo will suffice, but I've used non-TSA and TSA.
Make sure you check that ammo is / is not allowed in same case with firearm. Some airlines / countries are very specific about prohibiting this!
Make sure to call your firearms "sporting firearms" and say you are travelling for a competition.
Put a copy of your : 1) match invite, 2) permit, 3) and CBP 4457 , into your gun case.
I add a copy of permit and match invite in a clear sleeve to each checked bag with ammo / gear.
If you check your guns in a rectangular case, like the Pelican Air we used in Finland, it might come out on regular luggage belt. When you arrive, stage one person at regular bag claim and another at oversize to find your bags. Sometimes you have to go to a counter, sometimes they wheel them out and wait for you.
4 - Travel Tips
Have your travel companion (s) carry copies of all your paperwork and passport. (in case yours are lost).
Save all your documents and travel plans to Google drive or on your home computer for your family to access, if you need help with lost luggage or delayed flights.
Look at details for carry on and personal items. Sizes and weights are often checked on international flights.
Use duty free to buy any presents you want to take to friends overseas.
If you are tight on carry on weight / space, buy a meal with a bag to take onto the plane - HINT* this can be a bag to stash a couple heavy things in as you board, were the airline to weigh your carry on(s).
Bring less clothes than you think you will need! It's wasted weight and cumbersome.
Do bring goretex shoes and some rain gear.
You can buy cooler bags in Znojmo, and about anything else you would need.
The ground at the range is on the sandy side IMO. So bring a mag brush and cloth to wipe dropped mags with.
Call your cell carrier and add travel plan or if Verizon, just add Travel Pass.
When you start driving, get directions, screenshot the route in case you loose signal as you drive.
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