Help moving bow to UK, was refused at airport

Aryzel

I tried to bring my bow back to london after xmas, it was disassembled, packed up etc, and checked in as Sports Equipment. But I was called back and told the bow was considered a weapon and would not be allowed to travel on the plane. So had to leave the bow in the airport and get it picked up by family.

So now I want to post the bow to my place in london, but am I going to get it confiscated? Does anyone actually know the full legalities, registrations/papers, requirments that have any association with moving a bow internationally. How do archers that go to international compeitions do it?

Tackleberry.

I'd post it UPS or the like, it would get returned to sender if it was not allowed into UK, but i'd think it would ship fine, i shipped mine in from the USA no props

Renegade_Archer

Son of a bitch, what airline?

My company tried fedexing my archery gear when I moved to the US, and fedex refused it on grounds that it was a weapon. They ended up using a contract moving crowd in the end.

I think the issue is that a lot of people think "bow" and think weapon, the point one has to get across is that is has no stored energy and is about as dangerous as a bicycle.

One other option is to get the parents to drive over on the ferry some weekend with the gear in the boot

Carebear11

Renegade_Archer wrote: »

One other option is to get the parents to drive over on the ferry some weekend with the gear in the boot

This is the best option but even some ferry companys will not take bows on there boats.

For international comps there isent usualy big problames with checking in archery gear into the oversized lugage and putting it in as sports equipment. Seems odd they stopped you.

Panserborn

Have travelled a few times to the uk and beyond with a compound (has stored energy) and never had a problem. The only thing they ever had a good look at was the poundage gadge as the spring showed up on the x-ray.

This bodes bad if they are going to stop us travelling. If you can borrow yourself an Irish team tracksuit or top it usually helps to be wearing it - "on international duty".

Irish ferries (since last year) will technically not allow bows to travel anymore. This caused us hassle when travelling to the UK for field events.

Aryzel

Was with Ryanair through Shannon airport. Will trying getting it posted and see how that goes and let ye know.

But are their any registrations or papers we can get for the bow that would make travel easier, or at least allow us to prove at airports that it should be allowed to travel? I imagine the IAAA has looked into this before, in terms of archers representing Ireland travelling, what did they find out? I presume they must have made a report and detailed list of what is recommended procedure when traveling to international competitions?

Victor

Ryanair don't carry weapons of any kind, even replicas, even in baggage. Aer Lingus will carry sporting goods. Aer Arann ban cross bows and arrows, but are silent on long bows. Bmi, BA or Lufthansa might be an idea.

Best thing to do is phone in advance of booking.


http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=bag&quest=prohibitedchecked

What items are prohibited in checked in baggage?

Explosives, including detonators, fuses, grenades, mines and explosives. Gases: propane, butane. Flammable liquids, including gasoline, methanol, flammable solids and reactive substances, including magnesium, firelighters, fireworks, flares. Oxidizers and organic peroxides, including bleach, car body repair kits. Toxic or infectious substances, including rat poison, infected blood, radioactive material, including medicinal or commercial isotopes. Corrosives, including mercury, vehicle batteries, and vehicle fuel system components which have contained fuel.

Guns, firearms, ammunition and weapons (including replica items), paints, Christmas crackers, items with internal combustion engines such as chainsaws, model aircraft, lawnmowers, etc., may not be carried in any baggage (whether checked or unchecked)

Note: Any sharp objects in checked-in baggage should be securely wrapped to prevent injury to screeners and handling personnel.

http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=bag&quest=prohibiteditems&xtmc=restricted&xtcr=1

What items are prohibited from being carried in the Cabin of the aircraft?

Passengers are not permitted to carry the following articles into the security restricted area and the cabin of an aircraft: Guns, Firearms & Weapons; any object capable, or appearing capable, of discharging a projectile or causing injury, including: All firearms (pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, etc.) Replica and imitation firearms, Component parts of firearms (excluding telescopic sighting devices & sights), air pistols, rifles and pellet guns. Signal flare pistols, Starter pistols, Toy guns of all types,ball bearing guns, industrial bolt and nail guns, cross bows, catapults, harpoon and spear guns, Animal humane killers, stun or shocking devices, e.g. cattle prods, ballistic conducted energy weapons (laser), lighters shaped like a firearm.

Pointed/edged Weapons & Sharp Objects; pointed or bladed articles capable of causing injury, including taxes & hatches, arrows and darts, crampons (grappling iron, hooked bar of iron, or plate with iron spikes used in mountaineering), harpoons & spears, ice axes & ice picks, ice skates, lockable or flick knives with blades of any length, knives, including ceremonial, religious and hunting knives, made of metal or any other material strong enough to be used as a potential weapon, meat cleavers, machetes, open razors and blades (excluding safety or disposable razors with blades enclosed in cartridge), sabres, swords and swordsticks, scalpels, scissors with blades of any length, ski and walking/hiking poles, throwing stars, tradesman's tools that have the potential to be used as a pointed or edged weapon, e.g. drills and drill bits, box cutters, utility knives, all saws, screwdrivers, crowbars, hammers, pliers, wrenches/spanners, blow torches.

Blunt Instruments: any blunt instrument capable of causing injury, including baseball and softball bats, clubs or batons – rigid or flexible – e.g. billy clubs, blackjacks (truncheon of leather covered lead with flexible shaft), night sticks & batons, cricket bats, golf clubs, hockey and hurley sticks, lacrosse sticks, kayak and canoe paddles, skateboards, billiard, snooker and pool cues, fishing rods, martial arts equipment, e.g. knuckle dusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails, num-chucks, kubatons, kubasaunts.

Explosives and flammable substances; any explosive or highly combustible substance which poses a risk to the health of passengers and crew or the security/safety of aircraft or property, including ammunition, blasting caps, detonators & fuses, explosives and explosive devices, replica or imitation explosive material or devices, mines & other explosive military store, grenades of all types.gas & gas containers, e.g. butane, propane, acetylene, oxygen – in large volume, fireworks, flares in any form and other pyrotechnics (including party poppers and toy caps), non safety matches, smoke generating canisters or cartridges, flammable liquid fuel, e.g. petrol/gasoline, diesel, lighter fluid, alcohol, ethanol, aerosol spray paint, turpentine & paint thinner, alcoholic beverages exceeding 70% by volume (140% proof)

Chemical and Toxic Substances; any chemical or toxic substances which pose a risk to the health of passengers and crew or the security/ safety of aircraft or property, including: acids and alkalis, e.g. spillable "wet" batteries, corrosive or bleaching substances – e.g. mercury, chlorine, disabling or incapacitating sprays – e.g. mace, pepper spray, tear gas, radioactive material – e.g. medicinal or commercial isotopes, poisons, infectious or biological hazardous material – e.g. infected blood, bacteria and viruses, material capable of spontaneous ignition or combustion, fire extinguishers (excepting as authorised by fire protocols and as aircraft emergency equipment)

Guns, firearms, ammunition and weapons (including replica items), paints, Christmas crackers, items with internal combustion engines such as chainsaws, model aircraft, lawnmowers, etc., may not be carried in any baggage (whether checked or unchecked)

http://www.aerlingus.com/cgi-bin/obel01im1/Support/conds_of_carriage.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1844793108.1231191082@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccckadegeeiekihcefecfigdffgdfkl.0&P_OID=-8087&Category=2#8 (cookie may expire)

8.3ITEMS UNACCEPTABLE AS BAGGAGE
8.3.1 You must not include in your Baggage:

8.3.1.1 Items which are likely to endanger the aircraft or persons or property on board the aircraft, such as those specified in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, and in our regulations (further information is available from us on request);

8.3.1.2 Items the carriage of which is prohibited by the applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state to be flown from or to;

8.3.1.3 Items which are reasonably considered by us to be unsuitable for carriage because they are dangerous, unsafe by reason of their weight, size, shape or character, or which are fragile or perishable having regard to, among other things, the type of aircraft being used. Information about unacceptable items is available upon request.

8.3.2 Firearms and ammunition other than for hunting and sporting purposes are prohibited from carriage as Baggage. Firearms and ammunition for hunting and sporting purposes may be accepted as Checked Baggage. Firearms must be unloaded with the safety catch on, and suitably packed. Carriage of ammunition is subject to ICAO and IATA regulations as specified in 8.3.1.1.

8.3.3 Weapons such as antique firearms, swords, knives and similar items may be accepted as Checked Baggage, at our discretion, but will not be permitted in the cabin of the aircraft.

8.3.4 You must not include in Checked Baggage money, jewellery, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, personal medication, passports and other identification documents or samples.

8.3.5 If, despite being prohibited, any items referred to in 8.3.1, 8.3.2 and 8.3.4 are included in your Baggage, we shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to such items.

http://www.aerarann.com/about_us/passenger_information.htm#pro

Article 15: PROHIBITED ARTICLES


**DANGEROUS ARTICLES IN BAGGAGE**

For safety reasons, dangerous articles such as those listed below, must not be carried in passengers cabin or hold baggage:

Compressed gases (deeply refrigerated, flammable, non-flammable and poisonous) such as butane, oxygen, liquid nitrogen, aqualung cylinders and compressed gas cylinders; items with internal combustion engines: such as chainsaws, model aircraft, and lawnmowers. Corrosives, such as acids, alkalis, WET CELL BATTERIES, and items containing mercury (e.g. thermometers) or chlorine. Explosives, munitions, ammunition including blank cartridges, hand guns, shot guns, fireworks, Christmas crackers, flares and pistol caps. Flammable liquids and solids, such as lighters that need inverting before ignition, lighter fuel, MATCHES (safety matches may be carried on the person), firelighters, paints and thinners.

Radioactive materials. Oxidising materials, such as bleaching powder and peroxides. Poisons and infectious substances, such as insecticides, weed killers and live virus materials. Briefcases and attaché cases with installed alarm devices. Other dangerous articles, such as magnetised material, offensive or irritating materials. Medicines and toiletries in limited quantities required by passengers during the journey, such as hairsprays, perfumes and medicines might be carried.

Guns, Firearms & Weapons; any object capable, or appearing capable, of discharging a projectile or causing injury, including, all firearms (pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, etc.), Replica and imitation firearms, Component parts of firearms (excluding telescopic sighting devices & sights), Air pistols, rifles and pellet guns, Signal flare pistols, Starter pistols, Toy guns of all types, Ball bearing guns, Industrial bolt and nail guns, Crossbows and Arrows, Catapults, Harpoon and spear guns, Animal humane killers, Stun or shocking devices, e.g., cattle prods, ballistic conducted energy weapons (lasers), Lighters shaped like a firearm, Ice Axes and Ice Picks, Open razors and blades (excluding safety or disposable razors with blades enclosed in cartridges),

Pointed/Edged Weapons & Sharp Objects; pointed or bladed articles capable of causing injury, including, Axes and hatchets, Crampons, Harpoons and spears, Lockable or flick knives with blades of any length, ceremonial knives, with blades of more than 6 cm., made of metal or any other material strong enough to be used as a potential weapon, Meat cleavers, Machetes, Sabres, swords and swordsticks, Scalpels, Scissors with blades more than 6 cm. in length,

Explosives and flammable Substances; any explosive or highly combustible substances which poses a risk to the health of passengers and crew or the security/safety of aircraft or property, including, Ammunition, Blasting caps, Detonators and fuses, Explosives and explosive devices, Replica or imitation explosive material or devices, Mines and other explosive military stores, Grenades of all types

Gas and gas containers, e.g., butane, propane, acetylene, oxygen—in large volume, Fireworks, flares in any form and other pyrotechnics (including party poppers and toy caps), Non-safety matches, Smoke-generating canisters or cartridges, Flammable liquid fuel, e.g., petrol/gasoline, diesel, lighter fluid, alcohol, ethanol, Aerosol spray paint, Turpentine and paint thinner, Alcoholic beverages exceeding 70% by volume (140% proof).

Chemical and Toxic Substances; any chemical or toxic substances which poses a risk to the health of passengers and crew or the security/safety of aircraft or

property, including, disabling or incapacitating sprays, e.g., mace, pepper spray, tear gas, Radioactive material, e.g., medicinal or commercial isotopes, Poisons, Infectious or biological hazardous material, e.g., infected blood, bacteria and

viruses, Material capable of spontaneous ignition or combustion, Fire extinguishers.

Explosives, including detonators, fuses, grenades, mines and explosives, Gases: propane, butane, Flammable liquids, including gasoline, methanol, Flammable solids and reactive substances, including magnesium, firelighters, fireworks, flares, Oxidizers and organic peroxides, including bleach, car body repair kits, Toxic or infectious substances, including rat poison, infected blood, Radioactive material, including medicinal or commercial isotopes, Corrosives, including mercury, vehicle batteries, Vehicle fuel system components which have contained fuel.

In addition to the items listed under "dangerous articles", the following items will not be accepted for carriage in the cabin but can be accepted in the hold once suitably packed:

Catapults
Knives with blades or length under 6cm., including letter openers, made of metal or any other material e.g. polycarbonate or ceramic
Razor blades (both open bladed and safety razors)
Tradesmen's tools
Darts
Scissors
Hypodermic syringes (unless required for genuine medical reasons, proof of same required e.g. Doctors letter)
Knitting needles
Large sporting bats and clubs (e.g. Baseball and Softball bats, Golf clubs, Hockey sticks, Lacrosse sticks, Kayak and canoe paddles, Skateboards, Fishing rods,)
Billiard, snooker or pool cues.
Ski and walking/hiking poles
Notes: Any sharp objects in checked-in baggage should be securely wrapped to prevent injury to screeners and handling personnel.

http://www.flybmi.com/bmi/en-gb/flight-and-airport-info/pre-travel/baggage-advice/banned-items.aspx

Items not permitted in your cabin or checked baggage

For safety reasons, dangerous goods as defined in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, such as those listed below, must not be carried in your cabin or checked baggage.

Explosives - ammunitions, fireworks, flares etc
Compressed gases (flammable, non-flammable, deeply refrigerated and poisonous) such as camping gas and aerosols
Flammable liquids such as lighter fuels, paints and thinner
Flammable solids such as matches and articles which are easily ignited such as firelighters
Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Substances which on contact with water emit flammable gases
Oxidising substances (such as bleaching powder and peroxides)
Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances such insecticides, weed killers and live virus materials
Radioactive materials
Corrosives such as mercury (which may be contained in thermometers) acids, alkalis and wet cell batteries
Disabling devices such as mace, pepper spray, etc containing an irritant or incapacitating substance are prohibited on the person, in checked and carry-on baggage
Briefcases and security type attaché cases with installed alarm devices; or incorporative lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic material
Magnetised materials and miscellaneous dangerous goods as listed in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
Personal medical oxygen devices that utilise liquid oxygen are prohibited
Please note: One small packet of safety matches or a cigarette lighter that does not contain unabsorbed liquid fuel other than liquified gas, may be carried about your person.

Strike anywhere matches are forbidden for air transport.

Medicines and toiletries
You may take non-radioactive medicinal items or toiletries (including aerosols) like hairsprays, perfumes, colognes and medicines containing alcohol, in limited quantities in your checked and hand baggage:

Single articles must not weigh more than 0.5kg or 0.5 litres (1.1lb or 1pt).
Combined articles must not weight more than 2.0 kg or 2.0 litres (4.4lbs or 2.0qt)
Release valves on aerosols must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents
Please note that some of the quantities stated above are further restricted by current security restrictions, if these items are carried as hand baggage.

Miscellaneous articles
You must be aware that items such as the following need to be approved by us prior to carriage.

Firearms and ammunition
Carbon dioxide, solid (dry ice)
Wheelchairs or other battery powered mobility devices
Heat producing articles
Mercury barometer or thermometer
Avalanche rescue backpack
Chemical agent monitoring equipment and insulated packages containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen

Further information is available on request - please call 0870 607 0555

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagrest/public/en_ie?gsLink=searchResults

Dangerous goods are articles or substances which are capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. The carriage by air transport of these materials is strictly regulated.

We do not allow the following dangerous goods on board our aircraft on your person, as part of carry-on or checked baggage:

Explosives – fireworks, ammunition, flares etc.
Gas cylinders containing flammable, non-flammable, toxic and refrigerated liquefied gas (e.g. butane, oxygen, propane, refrigerated liquid nitrogen etc).
Flammable liquids – paint, petrol, lighter refills, solvents, varnish etc.
Flammable solids – firelighters etc.
Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases
Oxidising materials – paint stripper, etc.
Organic peroxides – bleach, etc
Toxic substances – insecticides, weedkiller, etc.
Infectious substances – bacteria, viruses, etc.
Radioactive materials
Corrosives – wet cell batteries, acids, mercury barometers, etc.
Miscellaneous dangerous goods – magnetised materials, dry ice (carbon dioxide solid) chemical etc.
Note: strike anywhere matches, disabling devices (mace, pepper spray etc) and security attaché cases containing dangerous goods (e.g. pyrotechnic devices etc.) are FORBIDDEN.

Cooking Oils are also prohibited from carriage in checked or carry-on baggage.

Exceptions are detailed in the following table:

Download our guide to dangerous goods (PDF - 67KB)

http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/ie/info_and_services/baggage?l=en&nodeid=1769649&cid=1000235

Dangerous goods
You may not take these items alongLightersAmmunition

top You may not take these items alongFor safety reasons, the laws of all countries prohibit the transportation of the following items in your checked-in or carry-on baggage:


Briefcases with built-in alarm devices
Explosives, fireworks, flares
Pressurized containers containing irritant gases, self-defense sprays, camping gas Containers with flammable liquids such as lighter fuel, paint, varnish, cleaning agents
Items that ignite easily, such as matches
Substances that emit flammable gases upon contact with water
Oxidizing substances, such as bleaching powder, peroxides
Poisonous (toxic) and infectious substances, such as quicksilver, bacteria and virus cultures Radioactive materials and items Corrosive substances, such as acids, alkalis, wet cell batteries Strongly magnetic materials
top LightersTaking one lighter is permitted if:

It is for personal use
It is filled with fully absorbed liquid fuel

Forbidden are:

All lighters in checked-in baggage So-called Zippo lighters
Lighters filled with unabsorbed fuel
Lighter fuel
Fuel refills
top AmmunitionSpecial regulations apply to the transportation of ammunition. You can find out about them at any Lufthansa Airport Ticket Teams.

Aryzel

A bow is not classified as a weapon, however it appears that airlines don't need to obey the classifications of the law.

The fundemental difference between a bow and the firearms,crossbows etc, is that the later store energy and could in theory 'go off' in the cargo hold, damaging the plane. A bow has ZERO stored energy when disassembled, it is essentially a dead piece of wood and metal.

ruiner

Hmm both Junior and Senior Irish teams have flown with Ryanair and Aer Arann last year and checked in sports equipment with no problems. I also flew with Ryanair to Scotland with my bow in my luggage and no one said anything.

Irish ferries don't seem to have a problem with bows only arrows.

Alt Services and Bowsports send all their equipment here by post so you shouldn't have a problem but then yours is the first problem I've heard with getting on board a plane

Aryzel

I have my bow at last, was posted via registered post with AnPost on Thursday and arrived today, monday, damn fast

Before it was sent I called AnPost and they had no problem sending stuff to UK, they didn't check items, but was told to check with UK customs to confirm there wouldn't be a problem on the UK side. UK customs confirmed that there was no problem and that infact they don't check items sent within the EU.

Now my remaining problem is changing from a 24lb light wooden bow, to a 38lb monstrosity of metal and long rods. :P