Moving to France - how can I bring my guns with me?

[Afterhender]

Dear all,
I'm an airsofter living in London. In few weeks I'll move to France and obviously I want to bring my guns with me.
Could you please tell me what is the best solution, is there any specific procedure ?? Should I prefer the train, ferry, euro-tunnel with my car, plane ?

Thanks in advance,

Nick

ps: sorry if you already discussed about that, but after a quick search I did not found it.

[Cqb.Charlie]

Re: Moving to France - how can I bring my guns with me?

Spray them green take battery out and say there toys for my sisters kid :P


(Please dont do this, its just a joke :D)

[bobtuskins]

Re: Moving to France - how can I bring my guns with me?

If you travel via train or ferry they won't even look at what stuff you're bringing, let alone care. There's a very good chance they won't even check your passport. I've done that. Not even a single question.
Airsoft is 110% legal in France so you can take your guns over without any problems. They are classified as toys as long as they stay under 1 Joule (this is the general EU legislation).
If you want to take thm on a plane, check the airline's policies on real and replica firearms and ask if the airport has any issues. Make sure you explain that the gun is for all intents and purposes only a dangerous-looking toy.
Upon checking in, let them know that you are carrying toy guns in your luggage and for God's sake make sure they go into your checked (hold) luggage.
If the port authorities in France are feeling adventurous, they may stop your bag to see just how realistic your toy guns are, but as long as you explain that they are airsoft toys, you should be fine.

[Utrinque Paratus]

Re: Moving to France - how can I bring my guns with me?

Visible transportation of replica firearms in public areas is forbidden. They must be covered with something, for example, a firearm case. Land owner's permission is needed to play airsoft in any area. Minors (under 18) can only buy airsoft guns which are under 0.08 joules in power. Minors can not use guns over these 0.08J. Airsoft guns may only have a power under two joules, otherwise they are no more qualified as airsoft replicas but firearms and owners should follow the French weapons law (dated 1995).

Just got this from a quick google. I think thats pretty much the only laws.

[Fizzy]

Re: Moving to France - how can I bring my guns with me?

OP your best bet is speaking to French customs or look for some French based airsoft forums and ask on there. The French guys that come to the GZ Weekender bring their own kit so I can't see it being an issue, but it's certainly worth inquiring

[Ian IWG]

Re: Moving to France - how can I bring my guns with me?

Put them in the boot of your car covered up or in cases and just take them. If and it's a bloody big IF, you get stopped and questioned just tell the truth about whats in your car.
As stated earlier remove battery's,mags and carry them in a differant box/bag.

[Sci Fi Steve]

Re: Moving to France - how can I bring my guns with me?

Take them by car (as suggested by the above in the boot out of sight) I personnel would actually declare them when I arrived, ( have a guilty conscience and would probably get pulled for looking suspicious ). Flying would be the option I would least recommend, a lot of hoops to jump through before you are allowed on planes with anything remotely gun like.

[Smirf]

Re: Moving to France - how can I bring my guns with me?

I carry my AEG's in the boot of my car all the way from Germany via Dunkirk/Dover everytime I come home to UK. Only once has anyone in customs cared and she was just interested as to just how realistic my AK74 was, she was impressed, lol. As said above if you fly, just have them well wrapped and declare them, make sure you have your UKARA card on you, and have them put in the hold. The only issue you will have is with gas. Oh, and as far as I know, they tend to get a bit twitchy about batteries, so check on them.

Paul