Ammo and Commercial Airlines

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

Transporting Firearms and Ammunition

You may transport unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only. Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter. The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted. Be aware that the container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure the firearm when it is transported in checked baggage.

Contact the TSA Contact Center with questions you have regarding TSA firearm regulations and for clarification on what you may or may not transport in your carry-on or checked baggage.

Firearms
•When traveling, comply with the laws concerning posession [sic] of firearms as they vary by local, state and international governments.
•Declare each firearm each time you present it for transport as checked baggage. Ask your airline about limitations or fees that may apply.
•Firearms must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container and transported as checked baggage only. Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock.
•Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
•Replica firearms, including firearm replicas that are toys, may be transported in checked baggage only.
•Rifle scopes are permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.


United States Code, Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 44, firearm definitions includes: any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, or is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; and any destructive device. As defined by 49 CFR 1540.5 a loaded firearm has a live round of ammunition, or any component thereof, in the chamber or cylinder or in a magazine inserted in the firearm.

Ammunition
•Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage, but may be transported in checked baggage.
•Firearm magazines and ammunition clips, whether loaded or empty, must be securely boxed or included within a hard-sided case containing an unloaded firearm. Read the requirements governing the transport of ammunition in checked baggage as defined by 49 CFR 175.10 (a)(8).
•Small arms ammunition, including ammunition not exceeding .75 caliber and shotgun shells of any gauge, may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm.

Read the guidelines for law enforcement officers flying armed.

Also note the 5kg (11lb) limit. You must declare it because there is a limit per plane as well that can be an issue flying into popular hunting areas.

Mike

No need to declare ammo by itself.

I missed it, where's the checked baggage weight limit on ammo in the regs?
I've flown to HI twice with several boxes of shotgun ammo in my checked luggage that may have exceeded that, no issues raised by TSA.

The original boxes ammo comes in is sufficient to meet their requirements.

Yes, to be legal ammo MUST be declared, and the above is correct re: 5 kilos. In addition, the pilot has the option to refuse ammo on "his" plane.
These are well-known facts and practices in the cartridge collecting world.

Please let us know where in the regs it says ammo by itself in a checked bag must be declared. Same for the 5 kilos.

It may be well known but I haven't found it.

Thanks

Speedo66 said:

Please let us know where in the regs it says ammo by itself in a checked bag must be declared. Same for the 5 kilos.

It may be well known but I haven't found it.

Thanks

Click to expand...

The weight limit is an airline limit, not a TSA limit. You should call your airline, or check their website, to verify their limit. Most have a 5 Kg/11 Lb limit. I believe Alaska Airlines has a 50 Lb limit for domestic flights.

In fact, you should check with your airline for any other additional limits they may impose, such as ammunition packing requirements.

https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/hazmat_safety/more_info/?hazmat=4

http://thetravelinsider.info/info/travelingwithfirearms.htm

A call to the "carrier" ref your question would certainly get a factual answer.

A call to the "carrier" ref your question would certainly get a factual answer.

Click to expand...

....of both what the law requires, and anything added as carrier policy.

Does TSA enforce airline rules? I would think as long as TSA rules are satisfied, a passenger should be fine if they keep with the old military rule of don't ask, don't tell.

For those with minimal search skills, here is an example from one of the US commercial carriers:

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/sports.aspx

United accepts shooting equipment as checked baggage in hard-sided shooting equipment cases.

[snip]

No more than 11 pounds of ammunition may be carried. The ammunition may be packed in the same container as the firearm or in a separate container. Ammunition must be packed in the manufacturer's original package or securely packed in fiber, wood or metal containers. The ammunition inside the container must be protected against shock and secured against movement.

Speedo66, I used to fly with guns and ammo (items, not the periodical) often. Here's the skinny:

The FAA has rules. The TSA has rules. The air carrier has rules. All rules are enforced. Declare your ammo and you won't have a problem. Package your ammo according to carrier rules and you won't have a problem. In fact, the only time I saw an issue with an airline was when a guy I was working with had loaded mags and carrier rules said no.

An additional thought: Rules and regs say declare ammo. How well are you going to keep it under wraps when your bag goes through a metal detector or X-ray?

An additional thought: Rules and regs say declare ammo

Click to expand...

Uh, no they do not. One must declare only the firearm, and abide by the individual airline's rule pertaining to maximum ammo weight, as stated, typically 11 pounds.

Then 11 lb limit is not a hard and fast policy among all airlines

As an example last I checked Alaska Airlines allowed 50 lbs. For hunters I assume

check the airline web site as they determine weight limits, not the FAA or TSA.

swinokur said:

Then 11 lb limit is not a hard and fast policy among all airlines

As an example last I checked Alaska Airlines allowed 50 lbs. For hunters I assume

check the airline web site as they determine weight limits, not the FAA or TSA.

Click to expand...

50 pounds for domestic flights, 11 pounds otherwise. Speciffically:

On Alaska Airlines flights 001-999 and flights 2000-2999, up to 50 lbs.(domestic) and 11 lbs. (international - where permitted) may be checked. Customers checking in or connecting to Alaska Airlines flights 3300-3499 are limited to 11 lbs. of ammunition. Ammunition must be securely packed in the original manufacturer's package or in a container designed for ammunition and of sufficient strength to protect it from accidental crushing or discharge (i.e. wood, fiber, plastic, or metal). The projectile must be no larger than 11/16" in diameter, the size of a dime. Ammunition may be checked with or separately from the firearm. Spent ammunition shells will be accepted in checked baggage provided they meet the same acceptance procedures as live ammunition (e.g. packed in a crush-proof case)

Source:

https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/baggage/special-baggage/transporting-firearms.aspx

Ask the air carrier - not the TSA. The TSA does not own, operate, title, certify or insure the aircraft. The air carrier does. Only they decide what goes in their aircraft. TSA authority only applies in the inspection area. (though they would tell you otherwise) The only other authority is the Federal Aviation Rules - and I assure you the air carrier knows all of those.

This past week I flew from ABQ to MCO and return. Took both my and my wife's CCW weapons. Easy peasy, even easier now than it was prior to 9-11.

Declared the weapons at the baggage counter, signed the slip, inserted it into the suitcase containing my locked gun case. Two boxes of ammo in factory packaging in the same suitcase. At ABQ I was asked to stay near the desk for a couple of minutes to ensure TSA clearance. At MCO I was escorted with the bag to TSA, and two minutes later I was given the thumbs up. At MCO the ticket agent asked me if my ammo exceeded 11 lbs. At neither end was I asked to show the weapons or handle them in any way (prior to 9-11 I was always asked to show them as being clear).

That bag received special handling, and returning to ABQ the bag was brought out to me and not dumped into the carousel.

Like I said, it couldn't be easier. Just make sure to know and follow the rules and regs.

Just one other bit of practical advise: Firmly attach your firearm case to the inside structure of your suitcase with a cable or chain lock. It makes it harder to steal.

Old Dog said: Quote:
An additional thought: Rules and regs say declare ammo
Uh, no they do not. One must declare only the firearm, and abide by the individual airline's rule pertaining to maximum ammo weight, as stated, typically 11 pounds.

Re-read the first line of the first paragraph of the TSA Regs in post #2.....it looks to me like you need to declare ammo, with or without a firearm.

"Declare the firearm and/or ammunition to the airline when checking your bag at the ticket counter."

I've flown with guns & ammo numerous times, domestic & overseas flights, & have always included the ammo in the case with the gun(s). On my last trip to Australia (2014) United Airlines in Sydney wouldn't let me include the ammo in the box with the rifle & insisted it go in my other (unlocked) checked baggage.

So, there are airline rules, TSA rules, FAA rules AND international rules. I suspect the 11 lb. limit is related to rules for international flights. Also, the 11 lb. limit technically includes whatever the ammo is packed in.

Happily, in my experience airlines rarely either weigh or check how ammunition is packaged. The only airline that ever was that rigorous in checking mine was Air France.

Rules Of Carriage

If you want to really be correct read this document. These are the written rules that the carrier uses in a court of law.


If you want to keep your seat on their plane and stay in their good graces.

Read their Rules Of Carriage. Rest assured you will receive quite an education.

Their legal departments use this document in court every day. No PR sugar coated or otherwise.

Do not be a fool-follow the rule.