Overseas Travel & Flying with Kit

[sandyman]

Does anybody know what the regulations are regarding flying
with archery kit

I want to go on holiday to australia and was thinking of taking my
recurve bow / arrows with me.

Obviously they will go into the hold but I was wondering if I could
check the gear in without an issues ?

Info appreciated

[clickerati]

Try this post
and this one
and this one
and this one

just a few of many threads that have discussed taking bows aboard.

[rstamp]

Sandyman

Have travelled quite a lot with the bow France, Spain, Croatia & Africa.

The main thing to do is use common sense, in that if you the archer are confidant with the issue of travelling with the bow.

Calmly explain at the check-in that it is sports equipment and that is for archery, generally the person checking you in will first check with the manager/super. But thus far I have not been refused.

I do know that some of the cheaper airlines will not take the bow case, not because it is a bow but rather that these types of items have to be prebooked for which you will have to pay, not much though and if arranged well in advance things will go smoothly.

This applies particularly to compound cases, due to their size.

Personally prefer BA, KLM or Virgin as the baggage allowances are better.

Some airlines (Virgin being one) require you to sign a document relating to outsized baggage which is manhandled, it might do to read it although not much option if you are at the airport.

Make sure that when travelling you carry any relevant paperwork, GNAS card & Shoot Details if entered in one.

Depending on where you go you may be asked to declare sporting equipment and inform the authorities when leaving that you are taking the equipment out again. This is for the prevention of import tax evasion and can apply to other sports equipment as well.

Thus far the only unpleasant situation I had was with the Spanish police in Madrid when we tried to get onto a train to Malaga, it would seem that there is an issue with having the bows close at hand while on the train. Not that my Spanish is any good but the gist of it was that this applies to hunting arrows and not strictly to target arrows and once the arrows where inspected all was “OK”. The return trip when off without a hitch so it may also depend on whom you are dealing with.

Important points though are to keep it light, wrap the limbs well so as to prevent rubbing caused by vibration (serious damage was done on one flight), and have a good sturdy case.