Taking paintball markers abroad?

[steven09 (Exodus Capt)]

Just a quick question to you all

what are you the regulations for taking your equipment aboad

Ie insurance etc etc

thanks for your help

steve

 

[freddie]

depends on where your going
and how your travelling
when i played in france a few year's back
i went by train through the tunnel
on booking in was asked what was in the bag
i told them what it was and where i was going
was then asked to put everything together
as they had not had a paintball marker go
through before
three xrays, four photo's and twenty minutes later
i was allowed to travel
but i had a guard with me all the way
all i can say is be honest declare what your carrying
things have changed since then
as to insurance
get everything valued properly
inform your insurance company before hand
you may be able to get your kit insured
with the same company as your house insurance
but phone around
hope this helps

 

[steven09 (Exodus Capt)]

thanks dude will definatly have a look at insurance
steve

 

[Mario]

did they make you take your bolt out? coz i know they do that on real guns e.g a rifle. just wondering

 

[jahlad]

as far as i know there is no reason why you cant travel with pb gear. you will have to take the valves out of bottles if you are flying due to the pressure etc....
also its prob a good idea to dismantle your marker a bit. and ive also been told its a good idea to take a copy of pgi with you....makes it easier to explain what paintball is to dumb ass security staff i guess

 

[freddie]

station staff at ashford were very helpful
you must understand these people have a
very difficult job to do
my marker was/is an evo cocker
and was fully made up with smart parts
air system less barrel, bottle and hopper
all i can really say to anyone taking
their marker abroad is
be polite and as helpful as you can

 

[lettucecheesecake]

just make sure you check with customs first more than once! as i was told i could bring my marker to oz and now im filling in forms to get the little beauty back. i might not see it again so i suggest you do your homework first!

 

[Spike]

Having travelled with my marker many times here is the low down...

First Contact the Airline by phone and as if they have any issues but it is important not to give them too many details of your name and your trip at this point. Most jo public are not aware what a marker is and call it the 'G' word. If they say no over the phone doesn't mean that they will say no on the day but probably that they don't know anything about what you are carrying. One airline I travelled made me wait with weeks before telling me we could carry them - so be warned. Airlines like BA, Delta, Air Canada, Canadian & UA are all ok.

It is important that you pack the items in your HOLD baggage. I use bubble wrap around the unit and pack my barrel seperately. It is a good idea to make it look as least like a gun as possible. Not normally a need to take the bolt out. If you can remove your cylinder then do so.

Cylinders should be completely EMPTY and the Valve OPEN. This is the thing the airlines are really worried about.

Do not take any paint with you as the airline will always ask if you are carrying any ammunition - of course on your return you might have a bag or two but pack them in something else and don't tell them - remember they think ammunition means something else!

When you arrive at the airport make sure you have a copy of PGI so you can explain what this sport is and always always call it a marker.

Sometimes your bag will be marked with Firearms Labels and you will have to go through extra security - this can be a problem at your arrival destination but generally is not an issue. The security people will normally x-ray your bag and ask to see them. Nine times outs of ten they will then remove the firearms labels.

The most important place is make sure the country that you are clearing in accept these without any permits or letters of authority - you don't want to end up in the position our friend above is.

 

[JohnJ]

Having spent a pleasant half hour with the armed security guards at Charles de Gaulle airport last year I can recommend putting a copy of PGI at the top of your kit bag.
I don't speak French and the guards didn't speak English. PGI and pictures speak all languages
The amazing thing was that due to me always tie-wrapping the bags up, rather than using locks, I was handed the biggest bread knife you have ever seen in order to cut them off
JJ

 

[CreaTure]

i bought a gun while i was in florida and when i checked my bags in for boarding.i told them it was there and it had to be in a Locked hard case or they put it in a a hard case for you,you then hand it over and its taken down by hand,instead of on the
conveya belt,and then you will have to collect it from a desk where they will check it again when your at your destination and then you just walk through,if your taken your air you will it to be open without the valve in otherwise thats not allowed on the
plane...thats my 2 pence of experience..and that was flying with Virgin