Airline travel with air rifle.

Do a search here. I started a thread about this same subject and Jim Chapman who travels all over the world with airguns wrote an in-dept response with lots of good information. Ted also contributed good information as he have did a lot of traveling with airguns.

I found it: http://airgunnation.dev/topic/a-question-for-jim-chapman-or-anyone-who-travel-outside-the-us-with-airguns/

I came over from the UK with some air guns, one was in a rifle case which they made me check in at the over sized baggage desk, all they seemed concerned about was that it was not a fire arm and had no live rounds inside the case. I had no problems with customs inside the USA they just wanted me to pay sales tax on it because I purchased it in the UK. I had another gun I brought through Canada, the stock was removed and it was packed inside my suitcase, nobody paid any attention to it at all. Maybe things are different since 9/11 but nobody paid much attention to them at all, either in the UK, Canada or the USA, good luck with transporting yours, all the best, Neil.

Hello Monkyshine. I took my RAW home with me to NZ. I had asked the same question in July or there about and was told many people travelled with their rifles. TSA info was to have the air tank removed. I never did get a response from US customs concerning exporting licences their sight mentioned. However I did find out that an air gun is not considered a firearm. Strange.They are here, so I had a police import permit. I sent a message to Martin R and he responded that the best way to get the air out was to slowly undo the fill port. I did that and it blew the o-ring but it was empty. On arrival at the airport I was directed to TSA, I showed how I rendered it empty and the pressure gauge. She told me she would let it go this time but next time I'd better remove the bottle. I thanked her and was on the way. Once home I found out just how simple it was to unscrew the bottle once the air was removed. Martin also warned me of the damage you'd cause if you dry fired the rifle with no air in it. It would have had to be returned for repair.
Happy travels to you.

Hi all.

Traveling next week within the US. Plan to bring my FX Wildcat and carbon PCP tank. From what I understand I must:

1.. Empty the carbon fiber PCP tank
2.. Remove the fill valve assembly from the PCP tank?
3.. Empty the air from the airgun
4.. Must I remove the airgun tank as well?
5.. Lock airgun in a approved hard case with TSA locks
6.. Check in as baggage with airline

Am I missing anything else?

This could help? Check the links posted in this thread re' traveling with your airgun.

http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/first-iguana-hunt-in-pr/#post-191346

Hi jondon51 here. Just came back from p.r. Missed taking my impact because I blew the regulator. Really mad with myself over that . I booked a two day shoot with iguanas hunting tours . I borrowed a gun from them but I had to guess the range etc because we both forgot to take our range finders.. I don't like doing that way I like to dial the turrets and just aim dead canter. Anyway does anyone know how to download photos etc and I will show you my mug shot and some kills. I was told by the tsathat you have to remove the fill valve on the bottle and they can have a look inside. But what they don't understand is that every airgun has a tank and not all tanks can be removed. It's like monkey shine says they make it up as they go along.any way the holiday was great but the sun was too hot for me . I think it was about 90f it was that hot once in the uk about 1980. Also to monkey shine and Puerto Rico I sent you a personal message to you. This is to moor air. I empty my impact by removing the air bottle and then firing the gun and it emptys all the air on high pressure and low pressure side.

Sorry but I missed one important point. Don't put tsa locks on your gun case . You are the only person who is responsible for your equipment. If you put tsa locks on they can open the case without you knowing and god knows what could go missing. If they want to have another look in you case they should get you to open the gun case. 

TSA's interest in firearms is the same as their interest in anything that goes into an airlplane. They need to verify that nothing in your luggage or freight can bring an aircraft down. 
It is the airline that regulates whether you can bring a firearm and the quantity of ammunition you can put in the hold. It is also the airlines that regulate hazardous materials, ie. pressurized canisters. Technically, the airlines require that pressure canisters be open to internal inspection to guarantee they are not pressurized.
If TSA encounters a locked piece of luggage they are not shy about cutting the locks off or refusing to let the bag fly if the owner is not present.
I have worked in the bag room here in Boise, and gun cases coming down the belt are no big deal. 

The tsa need to look in your gun case when you first arrive at the airport. If they want to have another look they need to on tact the owner. That's why you shouldn't put tsa locks on. They can open the case without you being present. Also I would not trust anyone else present that knew the tsa numbers to unlock them. You can look the rules up saying the owner should be present when they inspect the gun.

Monkeyshine knows what he's talking about....he's travelled several times to shoot/hunt.

Just to avoid any confusion, if you say you are carrying a firearm which shoots black powder then you are not allowed to take it to p.r . An air rifle which is Under shooting equipment may be taken on board the plane if it's in a rigid case etc. Also I agree that the tank should be posted if possible or take the valve out of the bottle. If you don't you may not get on the plane.