Traveling with Firearms
Most countries have special laws governing the possession and transportation of firearms by nonresidents, and in many countries individual possession of firearms is illegal. Travelers should contact the appropriate government departments to learn about the laws prior to traveling.
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UNITED STATES
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form 4457
For US citizens traveling out of the US with their firearms, all firearms must be declared and registered with United States Customs prior to leaving the US, on CBP Form 4457 or any other registration document in order to bring the same firearms back into the United States. CBP does not keep a record of this form.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
"Register Items Before You Leave the United States
If your laptop computer was made in Japan, for instance, you might have to pay duty on it each time you brought it back into the United States, unless you could prove that you owned it before you left on your trip.  Documents that fully describe the item (sales receipts, insurance policies, jeweler's appraisals) are acceptable forms of proof. To make things easier, you can register certain items with the CBP before you depart (watches, cameras, laptops, firearms and CD players) as long as they have a serial number or other unique, permanent marking." 

Print the necessary number of copies of CBP Form 4457. Multiple items may be registered on each form; the forms are valid for the owners of the item(s) only. Complete your name and address, and list the items including appropriate model numbers. Some CBP officers prefer to document the serial numbers during their certification examination; check with your local CBP office.  Do not sign.

The owner of the items must present them along with their partially completed Form 4457s to the nearest CBP office (click here)

It is a good idea to call ahead, as some of the smaller ports of entry have only one CBP officer who is often away from the office.The CBP officer must see the item(s) you are registering in order to certify their registration.The CBP Form 4457 remains valid for the re-importation of the registered items as long as you own the item(s) listed and the document is legible. The certificate is not transferable.

Links
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Traveling with Specialty Items
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Traveling with Firearms and Ammunition
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Article Summary
"Have Gun, Will Travel" by Craig Boddington, www.gunsandammomag.com
"Traveling with Firearms" by Jerry Usher, www.handgunsmag.com

Many of you recognize the name Craig Boddington, well known hunter and author.  If anyone can talk about traveling with firearms, it is Craig.  Right off the bat, he reassures us he has had relatively few problems during his travels.  He explains that traveling with firearms is susceptible to the same problems any other checked bag may experience: delays, misdirection, damage.  The most telling statement from the article "I don't think I've been just lucky.  Rather, I've tried to follow the airline rules, Federal Aviation Administration and now Transportation Security Administration rules and my own rules based on experience.  And in all honesty, most of my problems, albeit minor, have occurred when I've tried some shortcuts."  Jerry Usher writes for competitive shooters. A summary of the key points from these two articles follows.

Follow both the airline and TSA rules

• The rules vary and change often, always call the airline

• Talk to a real person, write down that persons name, write down the current rules as described by that person, date and keep your notes

• Unloaded firearms and ammunition must be checked baggage

• You will be asked to sign a card that states the firearm(s) is unloaded.  It is a federal felony if a search of checked luggage discovers a firearm without this declaration

• They must be declared when you check your bags

• Firearms must be in sturdy, lockable hard cases

· Pretty safe to take 2 firearms per traveler, which typically comes in just under the 50 pound weight limit

· Trigger locks are never a bad idea

· Combination locks eliminate the lock/key issue

• Ammunition is limited to 1 factory box  up to 11 pounds per passenger

• The rules for ammunition change and are variable (in with the gun or in a separate case, in factory box or in a locked wooden or metal container, accessible so it can be easily reached if an inspection is desired) (Craig recommends that handloaders put their ammo in an original factory box.)

• Carrying bulk black powder is forbidden; make arrangements to buy it at your destination or ship it ahead

Prior to travel have firearms certified on US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form 4457

Know early in the process what it takes to bring firearms into your destination country; get the paperwork taken care of

• Often this is taken care of by the outfitter and is waiting for you upon arrival

• If possible, get a copy of the paperwork faxed to you

• Make back-up arrangements to borrow an appropriate firearm in the event there is a problem and you are not allowed to take your gun with you

Avoid tight airline connections (domestic: 60 minutes minimum, 90 minutes better; international: 2 hours minimum, 3 hours better)

• Check bags through to destination, especially true with foreign travel

Check-in well ahead of time

• You cannot curbside check-in with firearms, you must go to the ticket counter, declare your guns and have them inspected

• Some airline personnel are nervous about firearms, inexperienced agents may be clueless about what is required

• Make sure you understand the rules even if the ticket agent doesn't

Be low key and KEEP SMILING! Rest assured, a temper tantrum will make things worse
Pack with care

• Make sure your firearms are unloaded as they must be demonstrated as empty

• Use hard case that locks securely and offers plenty of padding

• Make sure firearms cannot rub against each other

• If your firearm disassembles, pack it disassembled (makes inspection much simpler, easier to demonstrate it is not loaded)

• On bolt actions, always remove bolt (makes inspection simpler, removes "lump" from bolt in gun case); Craig wraps the bolt in a pair of socks and puts it separately in the case

• Packs any knives, binoculars and a spotting scope in the gun case

• Make sure there are no loose cartridges anywhere in your luggage

• Watch your baggage weight

• In most instances, you are allowed 2 checked bags (one of which is your gun case)

• In most instances, each bag cannot weigh more than 50 pounds (rare airlines allow up to 70 pounds)

• If you have to go over the weight limit or check more than 2 bags, "expect to pay through the nose"

· Also understand, there is an increased risk of your bags catching a later flight

• On very full flights, airlines may hold back certain amount of baggage because of aircraft weight restrictions

• So mix up what is in which bag and consider carrying essentials in your carryon

• Put contact information on the bag and inside the bag
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ARGENTINA
Most outfitters in Argentina have firearms to rent. For wing-shooting, shotgun rental is highly recommended.

Taking firearms and ammunition to Argentina for hunting or shooting is permitted, provided you are holding a completed "Autorizacion Temporaria de Ingresso Y Egresso de Armas a la Republica Argentina" (temporary authorization to enter and leave Argentina with firearms.)  This authorization can be obtained at an Argentine Consulate or by applying upon arrival with the relevant Police Authority. Often times, the outfitter will assist in this process. There may be a processing fee (typically less than $100).

Individuals  wishing to enter Argentina with one or more firearms and their ammunition, for the purpose of hunting, sport shooting or other legitimate purposes, must submit an application to the appropriate US Argentine Consulate. Upon arrival to Argentina, entry into the country will require clearance by the local Police Authority, who will required valid firearms/hunting permit (original), passport, and the "temporary authorization and temporary possess permit." If you arrive in Argentina without the permit from the Argentine Consulate, the Police Authority at the point of entry is able to authorize the temporary permit.  There is a fee, about AR$300 (about $105) per firearm (cash recommended, US currency accepted).

The temporary authorization and temporary possess permit, signed and stamped by the local Police Authority, enables the temporary tourist to Argentina to possess, transport and use the firearms and ammunition for the legitimate activity during the authorized time period.  When leaving the country, the appropriate Police Authority will verify the exit of the corresponding firearms and live ammunition, and will retain the temporary authorization and temporary possess permit.

The following are required for the application for the temporary authorization and temporary possess permit.

• Application, in triplicate, unsigned

• Valid US passport (original)

• Two recent passport-style photographs

• Valid US firearms/hunting permit (original)

• Firearms information (type, model, make, serial number and gauge)

• Type and quantity of ammunition

• Owner's current address in US and temporary address in Argentina (including telephone numbers)

• Airplane ticket with arrival and departure dates

Links
CDC: Health and Other Information for Travelers to Argentina
National Registry of Weapons
List of Argentine Consulates in the US
Application for Temporary Authorization and Temporary Possess Permit
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AUSTRALIA
The import into Australia of firearms and certain weapons is controlled by prohibitions and restrictions for the protection of the community.  Customs administers the controls through the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 (the Regulations).

Foreign hunters cannot bring handguns (Category H) into Australia for the purpose of hunting. Only Category A and Category B firearms may be imported for safari hunting purposes.  the importation of single and repeating action firearms (commonly referred to as Category A and B) is restricted. The following weapons are included in Category A or Category B

air rifle

soft air rifle

rimfire rifle (other than a self-loading rimfire rifle)

single shot shotgun

double barrel shotgun

single shot airgun designed exclusively to fire paintballs

repeating action airgun designed exclusively to fire paintballs

muzzleloading firearm

single shot center fire rifle

double barrel center fire rifle

repeating action center fire rifle

break-action shotgun/rifle combination

repeating bolt action shotgun

lever action shotgun

In order to import these firearms, an importer will need to obtain the written authorization of the Police Firearms/Weapons Registry in the state or territory where the importer resides, before the arrival of goods in Australia.  This authorization will be in the form of a B709A.

Any ammunition imported with the firearm will need to be included on the B709A Form.

General archery equipment such as bows and arrows (except for pistol crossbows) is not controlled under the Regulations at present.  However, contact the Firearms/Weapons Registry of your state/territory police. 

Links
CDC: Health and Other Information for Travelers to Australia
Importing firearms and weapons
Importing certain single and repeating rifles and shotguns
Application for issue of Customs import permit (B709A)
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