Thread: Travelling by plane with ammunition

Looking to travel with loaded ammo in a checked bag...looking at the Air NZ regs see up to 5kg is ok securely packaged. Would securely packaged in a cookietime container count or is it only factory/aftermarket containers that would be acceptable?

*Asking for a friend.

At checkin they will probably ask if it is packed in factory packaging, but I can't find anything on their website that states it has to be in factory packaging. I doubt you would get away with a cookie time container.

When I came home last from England with Emirates they said it need to be in a locked container inside of the hold bag.
No worries said me brought a small cash safe and Emirates where happy!
Win thinks me No because every airport has there own security staff this is the rub you will bend over backwards and do all the airline says but the pitfall is with the each individual airports security staff. They have the final word on if it goes on or stays behind. It will even depend on who is on at any time of the day and if they even know anything about firearms.
I listen to them as they scanned my rifles at Heathrow they had no clue. I was just lucky in that I had a security guard that was a hunter and talked the scanning lady around she was dimmer than a blown light bulb.

Sorry not really any help. But for ammo keep them in there brought packets and a small lock box. That should satisfy them. If you have a wild cat cartridge our reloads don’t tell them. Any factory packet will do.
Maybe that is of more help.

Originally Posted by Tikka7mm08

Looking to travel with loaded ammo in a checked bag...looking at the Air NZ regs see up to 5kg is ok securely packaged. Would securely packaged in a cookietime container count or is it only factory/aftermarket containers that would be acceptable?

*Asking for a friend.

I got caught like this it needs to be in factory packet or an aftermarket plastic ammo container. They took mine off me even though I had phone air nz and they only said a 5kg max and in checked in bag.

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Was like this with the factory packets inside. Then packed inside my bag.

I've travelled heaps with reloads in factory ammo box, never a problem. Wouldn't need lockable container for domestic flights. I was just wondering cos as others have highlighted there is no specification other than secure...and an icecream container of ammo one day might be ok and on another confiscated.

Originally Posted by 25/08IMP

I got caught like this it needs to be in factory packet or an aftermarket plastic ammo container. They took mine off me even though I had phone air nz and they only said a 5kg max and in checked in bag.

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Yep - I has same issue last year flying to Queenstown for a week in one of the Hunter Valley ballot blocks. They never said anything to me and it was only when I came to dig out ammo prior to getting everything organised for chopper ride that I realised they'd taken all the ammo (284) and left me with 3 rounds !!! WTF ?? They left a wee scribbled note saying "not in branded packaging". I'd put some rounds into a plastic case sleeve thing (Federal factory ammo) - they threw most of that out, except 3. I also had ~ 10 rounds in a soft camo pouch, each one in its little belt and holder. All chucked out. I was farkin wild ! They'd thrown out all my long range loads and left me with 3 bush loads. When I investigated the issue with staff at Queenstown airport they we unable to explain, told me to talk to the security guy that does all the scanning. He more or less confirmed that they make it up as they go. WTF ?! When I flew south again in July I went to great lengths to clarify with Air NZ prior booking what was required for ammo. The range of answers or responses I got went for very vague or ambiguous to down right stupid nonsense. I suggest that they spell out in exact words on their website what is required. Nothings changed. When I checked in I went thru the same questions with the person at the counter - their answer was "we really dont know" - just wanted to confirm which bag it was in and how many kg's. So when I took that bag to xray I made a point of explaining again to that person before I put my bag through. They also said "we dont have a clue, its up to the security person running the Xray machine". So I asked if it was possible for me to wait and get confirmation from that person that the bag & ammo was ok. Which they did. Everything in that trip was packed in factory ammo plastic & cardboxes. And one was in the plastic box container things (20 rounds) that you can buy. The whole system seems very subjective and does nothing for security or safety.

Just use the green ammo boxers and no worries

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I've order some 9mm Dillon containers. Should be ok.

@chainsaw it wouldn’t have been Air NZ who took your ammo, it would be the clowns at Aviation Security, all baggage is x-rayed at the main Airports, Auckland, Queenstown, ChCh, Wellington etc they are also hot on bic lighters, my mate got a nasty note in his pack as they took 3 out of it, your only allowed one and I think it’s meant to be in your carry on?

The best way to ensure your ammo doesn’t cause issues is to put/leave it in factory box’s, max of 5kg. I wouldn’t risk anything else.
With Air NZ when you check in and declare it, they will give you a special firearms bag tag, which you read & sign, they give you one copy to keep for bag pick up at your destination, you then take your rifle & bag to the oversize drop off, a staff member will scan the tags, I wait until it’s gone through & ask them if it’s all good? ie, the x-ray was all good.

You then pick it up from Baggage Services at the other end which should be near the baggage belt, it’s generally the last bags delivered.

Now if you have any trouble checking it in, as in the staff member is hazy on the procedure “Politely Ask” for a manager to help. I just bought some down from Akl the other day & she was a little confused as I didn’t have a rifle, just the ammo, it’s the same procedure, no drama.

Thanks @outdoor lad, yep I'm very familiar with the procedure and understand that its aviation security doing the screening. But its Air NZ staff and web site that are the face to public & the only ones you can talk to & deal with the check in.
Unfortunately they seem to be poorly trained and very unaware of the requirements or issues. I've also had that discussion with Air NZ, including managers "up the tree"
I also had recent example like you where I was taking ammo but no firearm. We got there in the end but took a lot of discussion and involvement of several people behind the desk.
The other one I keep telling them about is that they should allow (make) you take the bold in your carry on. That way the rifle and ammo in the hold are rendered harmless.

Originally Posted by chainsaw

Yep - I has same issue last year flying to Queenstown for a week in one of the Hunter Valley ballot blocks. They never said anything to me and it was only when I came to dig out ammo prior to getting everything organised for chopper ride that I realised they'd taken all the ammo (284) and left me with 3 rounds !!! WTF ?? They left a wee scribbled note saying "not in branded packaging". I'd put some rounds into a plastic case sleeve thing (Federal factory ammo) - they threw most of that out, except 3. I also had ~ 10 rounds in a soft camo pouch, each one in its little belt and holder. All chucked out. I was farkin wild ! They'd thrown out all my long range loads and left me with 3 bush loads. When I investigated the issue with staff at Queenstown airport they we unable to explain, told me to talk to the security guy that does all the scanning. He more or less confirmed that they make it up as they go. WTF ?! When I flew south again in July I went to great lengths to clarify with Air NZ prior booking what was required for ammo. The range of answers or responses I got went for very vague or ambiguous to down right stupid nonsense. I suggest that they spell out in exact words on their website what is required. Nothings changed. When I checked in I went thru the same questions with the person at the counter - their answer was "we really dont know" - just wanted to confirm which bag it was in and how many kg's. So when I took that bag to xray I made a point of explaining again to that person before I put my bag through. They also said "we dont have a clue, its up to the security person running the Xray machine". So I asked if it was possible for me to wait and get confirmation from that person that the bag & ammo was ok. Which they did. Everything in that trip was packed in factory ammo plastic & cardboxes. And one was in the plastic box container things (20 rounds) that you can buy. The whole system seems very subjective and does nothing for security or safety.

Shit that would rip your undies.
I complained to air NZ as I had phoned the main call centre to get all the info and told them that no one ever said they had to be packed into factory containers or after market ammo cases.
The look,ed up my recorded call and they refunded me the cost of my 7mmsaum ammo at factory ammo prices for 70 rounds.


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Nope can't take bolt separately. Once just had a suppressor in my carry on. No ammo or gun. Security made me go back and check it with my bag even though I didn't need to declare. Their reasoning was different people could bring parts that are assembled in the cabin.

Originally Posted by Tikka7mm08

Nope can't take bolt separately. Once just had a suppressor in my carry on. No ammo or gun. Security made me go back and check it with my bag even though I didn't need to declare. Their reasoning was different people could bring parts that are assembled in the cabin.

Yep. If there's no problem, we'll make sure there IS a problem. We're here for a reason, like ALL ferkin' bureaucrats. Cnuts.

Good job where not walking through nakedyet our some bits would be travelling in the hold....some in the cabin....and some left at home... mind you at lest all the fat weapons that you see crawling onto the planes these days wouldn’t make it onto the flights, god I saw one coming back from America just now that had trouble even fitting through the security gate I was just praying it wasn’t on my flight