Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Firearms Transit in Frankfurt

Two friends of mine are travelling to Namibia in early July and to avoid the madhouse of the world cup in RSA were considering flying via Frankfurt.

What are the regulations regarding firearms transiting through Frankfurt? Can you layover a day or so without adding to the potential problems/paperwork etc with regard to the firearms?

Australians don't normally use this route when getting to Africa, so any help/advice would be most welcome!

Blair.

I don't know about Australians, but my rifles were checked in Canada in a small regional airport and picked up in Jburg without incident.

Randy

As it stands at this moment, if your bags are checked through to Windhoek, flying Luft and Air Namib. You don't have to do anything. This is of course if you are flying straight through with the typical 8-12hr layover. If you want to pick up your bags and tour that is probably a different matter.

I suggest calling Steve Turner at Travelwithguns.com or Kathi Klimes, kathiwildtravel.net. This is not the time to DIY.

404wcf,

Thanks for that. I advised them to check the bags through to Windhoek, but one guy wanted to see what the possibilty would be with regard to a 48 hour aprox layover, rather than the usual 8-10 hour that you mentioned.

I'll talk to Kathi or Steve, as you suggested.........none of the travel agents here in Oz' have a clue with regard to firearms regulations/permits etc.......!

Randy,

That has been my experience flying Sydney/Joburg as well. Going via Frankfurt is going the long way round for Aussies, but avoiding the world cup could be worthwhile.

I have a seven day layover scheduled in Frankfurt. The booking agent and travel agent say it won't be an issue. SAA will have my baggage in the meantime. I figure chances are good that I hunt with a borrowed rifle, but it's my opportunity to visit my sister in Rome so I'm taking my chances.

So Ryan, your guns are being held by SAA while you visit your sister in Rome?

Yes.

Hopefully they are being transported by SAA sometime around, say, when they are transporting me... But we will see.

You are a master of understatement, Ryan!

Yes, if flying Lufthansa/Air Namibia it is seamless. Absolutely no problems at least with the typical 12-14 hour layover.

Have them get their agent to provide them with the Namibian police report and have this filled out ahead of time. Saves time and aggravation; the police there appreciate the paperwork being done ahead of time, and it expedites getting on one's way.

Thanks Bob.

I have emailed them the Namibian paperwork, so they are all set on that front..............