Firearms Licensing
Travelling with firearms
If you are planning to shoot abroad with your firearm you should allow plenty of time to put into place the necessary documentation for its transport.
If you are the holder of a Shot Gun or Firearm Certificate and you wish to take your weapons to another EU country then you will need a European Firearms Pass (EFP).
No fee is charged for the issue of an EFP and there is no application form to complete. Make the request to your own Firearms Licensing Office and specify which of your weapons you wish to be included on your EFP. Please allow sufficient time before travelling for this to be processed; we recommend at least fourteen days.
The EFP will expire on the same date as the firearms or shotgun certificate it supports. In the case of a an EFP including both firearms and shotguns, it will end with whichever certificate expires first.
Permanent Export
In the case of a firearm being permanently exported abroad you will need to contact BERR who deal with the issuing of export and import licenses for firearms.
You will also need to notify your licensing office and provide proof of export.
You should also:
- Seek advice from the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit - even within the EU as other documents may be required.
- Inform the ferry operator/airline etc. carrying you. The company that you are travelling with may have additional rules and regulations for the carriage of ‘sporting guns’ and ammunition.
- You must declare the carriage of all firearms/shotguns to Customs.