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Flying from USA with Bullets in Checked baggage?

Willow

Quick question for those (most of you I guess) who live in the US. Is there any specific paperwork or requirements to fly out of the US internationally with projectiles (components only)?

I'm going to be travelling to the US for work for a week from this coming weekend and I'm trying to find out if there are any hurdles in buying projectiles and bringing them home with me (Australia). I have a B709 form approved at this end to get the projectiles through Customs, just not sure if there's anything in particular I need at the US end.

Any advice appreciated!
 
Attached link is for US Customs where you may find info on exporting - https://www.cbp.gov/

In addition to @Sandstorm recommendation, I would contact the projectile manufacturer to determine if there are export controls on their products. If yes, an individual entity exporting could impact their quota.
 
Willow said:
Quick question for those (most of you I guess) who live in the US. Is there any specific paperwork or requirements to fly out of the US internationally with projectiles (components only)?

I'm going to be travelling to the US for work for a week from this coming weekend and I'm trying to find out if there are any hurdles in buying projectiles and bringing them home with me (Australia). I have a B709 form approved at this end to get the projectiles through Customs, just not sure if there's anything in particular I need at the US end.

Any advice appreciated!
Click to expand...

I would be careful. The GCA defines ammunition as loaded ammunition or components thereof. Additionally, the GCA prohibits a non-immigrant alien from possessing firearms or ammunition in the US unless they meet an exemption, typically this is a hunting license issued by one or more states.

I don't know if the government would enforce it when you are leaving the US, however, if you get jammed up I could see them seizing the projectiles and causing you some grief. You'd be out your $.
 
I don’t know for sure, the list is extensive, but they may be on the ITAR munitions list. Things far less obvious are. I would find a US lawyer that specializes in this area before trying to buy bullets and then exit the US with them.

EDIT: Yes, they are Category III and require an export license.
 
Not an SME by any means, what about shipping through USPS to yourself back home with a copy of your paperwork enclosed.
 
No matter the rules and documentation you get you still put yourself in the position where you could end up dealing with TSA agents who don’t know what is correct and will hold you up forever waiting for the person who does. Or, they’ll just confiscate it and leave a tag on your bag….
 
Cover ALL your bases FIRST or you could end up in the slam like a few folks recently that had "A BULLET" in their bags going into the Bahamas!! Cost BIG $$$$ to get out of town, out of jail and back home.
 
This is just projectiles...gotta be easier than Ammo by all means...but ya never now.
Fire Dog figured it out.. so gotta be doable.
 
I sure can't say it is legal but every time I have gone to RSA I have enclosed some projectiles in my check baggage and have never been questioned. Usually around 5-600 in their factory sealed boxes.
 
Willow said:
Quick question for those (most of you I guess) who live in the US. Is there any specific paperwork or requirements to fly out of the US internationally with projectiles (components only)?

I'm going to be travelling to the US for work for a week from this coming weekend and I'm trying to find out if there are any hurdles in buying projectiles and bringing them home with me (Australia). I have a B709 form approved at this end to get the projectiles through Customs, just not sure if there's anything in particular I need at the US end.

Any advice appreciated!
Click to expand...
Willow -

Pretty sure you cannot do it legally. You will run afoul of " ITAR " regulations.

Why I say this...
I wanted to ship brass cases from the U.S. to a gent in New Zealand. Before I shipped, I first asked FEDEX, UPS, the US Commerce Dept, the US State Department and the local US Postal Service whether I could legally ship... and none of them said NO....including the locally USPS official I talked to face-to-face.

Everything went well....until it didn't. I got a letter saying that the shipment was quarantined in a regional customs holding area... that I could go to Court to fight to get the brass back... or sign a document to surrender the brass in-place. The reason given: I had violated
" International Traffic in Arms Regulations ". Not knowing exactly what I had u knowingly violated, I read up on it. ITAR puts restrictions on international shipping of arms and
" munitions ". And I while munitions are by very definition ammunition, bombs, rockets
et al, used by armies for combat ( and I had tried to ship inert " wildcat " brass )... I felt arguing syntax with a Federal Magistrate would be stupidity beyond reason.
I signed-off on surrendering the cases, and received back a letter saying the case was
closed; and all was copacetic..... until it wasn't...

After well over 6 months had gone by, I got a call from US Customs and Border Patrol that they wanted to interview me, concerning my case. I met 2 humorless agents dressed just like " men in black "... including the Roy Orbison sunglasses; and squiggly cord running up to their ear buds... during my lunch time. I made them show ID, and I the same; showing my retired MIL ID.

They informed me that my closed case was picked @ random, for " follow-up ". After giving me their assessment that all was well, the leade' agent offered to give me a guide book, that would tell me how to legally ship brass internationally...and then they awaited my response.

Now, I'll admit that can sometimes I can be a bit slow on the uptake. However, in this instance; I felt that they had played out some rope for me. And I thought... just how stupid did they believe me to be ?! That, and... I had previously noted they had handcuffs on their belts.

In my best aw shucks voice, I assured them...no...no... I had learned my lesson; and had zero intent on doing any more international shipping. They accepted my answer, but I must say they did seem a bit disappointed.

Is
everything OK now...some years past the events ?
kI dunno
 
OOops - hit transmit too soon.

Is everything ok now ?
I dunno... I still get wand'ed by TSA when I fly, despite my use of " Trusted Traveler " !


With regards,
357Mag
 
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