Travel to or through Netherlands with Firearm

[badmolassesaccident]

I will reiterate my point that the EFP did not allow you you to travel to any EU country you wished without restrictions. Many countries required visitors permits, certain weapons are prohibited in certain countries.

Travelling with a rifle and paperwork go hand in hand, it’s a pain but do the homework prior and all is good.

Yes, you must do your homework. However in many cases, such as my Denmark example, your homework would inform you that you need no more than the EFP. The EFP is a direct benefit, when travelling with firearms to some countries.

If you are transiting several countries and the EFP makes your travel easier in some, then that cuts down the logistics even more.

With my DK trip, I now need a DK visitor permit where before Brexit I did not. And if I were to drive there via France, BE, NL and DE, how much more time will I spend getting permits?

As you rightly point our, it does not work everywhere. So it seems EU member countries still have sovereignty to make their own rules.

 

[Jamsie]

The EFP made it substantially easier in many countries. To deny that, is to deny reality. Although there is plenty of reality denying going on when it comes to the consequences of Brexit.

As a direct example, I enquired about a weekend shooting trip at the Cold Bore range in Denmark. For citizens of EU countries with a EFP, it is easy. The booking and your EFP is your permit. British residents with a UK FAC need to apply for a visitor weapons permit in advance.

Of course, the British FAC holder will also need to apply for a visitor permit for the countries they drive through on the way, eg the Netherlands as per this thread, if they don’t go direct by air.

On the same vein, despite claims that the EU somehow supersedes national authority, EU members have always been able to prohibit certain firearms or components, eg semi-autos or moderators, regardless of if they are on a EFP from some other place which allows them.

You are breaking my heart!

Jamsie

 

[Jagare]

Living in Sweden I still have a EFP. If I travel back to the UK with a firearm I still have to get a visitors Fac. Was the same before Brexit. If you travel to Sweden with a firearm them just like the UK you needed a Swedish visitors weaponsas only the UK ticket. The new Government have said they will change that so EU members only need a EFP. I understand that some German and Danish hunters ignored the the Swedish rules.
I stand to be corrected but I thought that it was only the UK and Sweden that needed extra firearms certification when traveling with a firearm and EFP in the EU. Since brexit I've traveled with a rifle round a lot of Europe with just my EFP a never gave a thought about it. When I was back in the UK a year ago I travelled with a rifle with a visitors fac. Nobody asked about a weapon travelling in or out of the UK so I never mentioned it. Less bother for me and less paper work for them.

 

[badmolassesaccident]

What to you suggest for travel to Denmark with firearms and over 5kg of ammunition?

You appear to think this is not a problem, so presumably you have found a solution. You could let everyone know what you do, when you travel with firearms across several European countries.

You are breaking my heart!

Jamsie

 

[scrumbag]

The EFP is part of the Schengen visa scheme which we aren't part of. Hence no EFP.

I do wonder what there are in terms of options for cross border travel might be explored - as in if you've entered the Schengen zone with your firearms legally, could you travel to other countries with the gun? (A temporary EFP if you like).

5kg is an agreed amount for air travel so that's where the issue comes from.

I miss the EFP scheme. I've had them issued by the UK and Switzerland and found it good.

 

[Jamsie]

What to you suggest for travel to Denmark with firearms and over 5kg of ammunition?

You appear to think this is not a problem, so presumably you have found a solution. You could let everyone know what you do, when you travel with firearms across several European countries.

I don't travel across several European countries with an assortment of firearms and ammo and neither would I wish to. As such, I haven't found a solution because I'm not looking for one. These procedures that are making 'your' life more difficult in that respect would seem to represent the situation as it is now and anyone who thought that this wouldn't become an issue after our seperation from the EU was kidding themselves. You have two options. You can either get used to it, comply with the rules and continue your shooting on the other side of the Channel or ... stay in the UK. It's undoubtably more time consuming but no one is stopping you from following the procedures then jumping on the plane / ferry. Its more of an additional inconvenience than a problem.

Jamsie

 

[Heym SR20]

I don't travel across several European countries with an assortment of firearms and ammo and neither would I wish to. As such, I haven't found a solution because I'm not looking for one. These procedures that are making 'your' life more difficult in that respect would seem to represent the situation as it is now and anyone who thought that this wouldn't become an issue after our seperation from the EU was kidding themselves. You have two options. You can either get used to it, comply with the rules and continue your shooting on the other side of the Channel or ... stay in the UK. It's undoubtably more time consuming but no one is stopping you from following the procedures then jumping on the plane / ferry. Its more of an additional inconvenience than a problem.

Jamsie

A fairly typical response from many as regards the changes we have gone through. Doesn’t affect me so doesn’t matter.

Plenty of us are hugely affected by BREXIT, not just for recreational purposes but also professionally and financially. I have effectively been made redundant by Brexit as I am no longer able to do business as I have done so for most of my career. Yes I can and will do other things, but I fundamentally loved working across Europe with exciting companies.

Now, it is very difficult to send staff into Europe to work with clients and customers. They can go and advise and talk about business, but to actually do a job - no chance.

Or put it another way. It doesn’t matter to the majority in the UK if the government decides to stop recreational and commercial hunting. But I think it would have a very grave effect on those of us who are on SD.

 

[Cumbrian 1]

A fairly typical response from many as regards the changes we have gone through. Doesn’t affect me so doesn’t matter.

Plenty of us are hugely affected by BREXIT, not just for recreational purposes but also professionally and financially. I have effectively been made redundant by Brexit as I am no longer able to do business as I have done so for most of my career. Yes I can and will do other things, but I fundamentally loved working across Europe with exciting companies.

Now, it is very difficult to send staff into Europe to work with clients and customers. They can go and advise and talk about business, but to actually do a job - no chance.

Or put it another way. It doesn’t matter to the majority in the UK if the government decides to stop recreational and commercial hunting. But I think it would have a very grave effect on those of us who are on SD.

I’m sorry to hear about your problems, if things get really tough I know these people are currently employing, a degree is a must -

Home :: McDonald's Careers UK

Restaurant jobs, head office jobs and early careers at McDonald's. Let's be part of something together.

people.mcdonalds.co.uk

 

[Jamsie]

A fairly typical response from many as regards the changes we have gone through. Doesn’t affect me so doesn’t matter.

Plenty of us are hugely affected by BREXIT, not just for recreational purposes but also professionally and financially. I have effectively been made redundant by Brexit as I am no longer able to do business as I have done so for most of my career. Yes I can and will do other things, but I fundamentally loved working across Europe with exciting companies.

Now, it is very difficult to send staff into Europe to work with clients and customers. They can go and advise and talk about business, but to actually do a job - no chance.

Or put it another way. It doesn’t matter to the majority in the UK if the government decides to stop recreational and commercial hunting. But I think it would have a very grave effect on those of us who are on SD

On the contrary, I can't think of anybody that I know who hasn't felt some effect of our departure from the EU. For some people the effect has been positive and for others not so. Bearing in mind the actual results of the referendum then that is hardly surprising. Nevertheless, changes were inevitable as a consequence of our majority decision to leave and travel to and through EU countries (with or without firearms) was likely to be one of them. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is and we'll learn to live with it. Incidentally, I have worked extensively abroad prior to Brexit (but never in Europe) and it was never a problem. For each country there was a process and it was only a matter of following that process to the letter.

Jamsie

 

[Heym SR20]

I’m sorry to hear about your problems, if things get really tough I know these people are currently employing, a degree is a must -

Home :: McDonald's Careers UK

Restaurant jobs, head office jobs and early careers at McDonald's. Let's be part of something together.

people.mcdonalds.co.uk

Sort of response I would expect from you.

 

[badmolassesaccident]

I don't travel across several European countries with an assortment of firearms and ammo and neither would I wish to. As such, I haven't found a solution because I'm not looking for one. These procedures that are making 'your' life more difficult in that respect would seem to represent the situation as it is now and anyone who thought that this wouldn't become an issue after our seperation from the EU was kidding themselves. You have two options. You can either get used to it, comply with the rules and continue your shooting on the other side of the Channel or ... stay in the UK. It's undoubtably more time consuming but no one is stopping you from following the procedures then jumping on the plane / ferry. Its more of an additional inconvenience than a problem.

Jamsie

If it is the case that you do not travel with firearms in Europe and do not have a solution for travelling with firearms in Europe, then why have you posted multiple mocking posts on this thread on this very subject.

You clearly have no knowledge on the subject title of this thread, no idea of what do about it and no useful information to add. Why post?

With regards to the travel with firearms you have done, I specifically mentioned target shooting and over 5kg of ammunition. Yet you still mention travelling by plane. On top you contributing nothing of value to the thread, you appear unaware that you cannot fly with more than 5kg of ammunition, including the container. You must go overland, or source your ammunition on arrival. Were you aware that target shooters often have quite specific ammo requirements which can be hard to find, or is that another thing you did not know?

 

[Jamsie]

If it is the case that you do not travel with firearms in Europe and do not have a solution for travelling with firearms in Europe, then why have you posted multiple mocking posts on this thread on this very subject.

You clearly have no knowledge on the subject title of this thread, no idea of what do about it and no useful information to add. Why post?

With regards to the travel with firearms you have done, I specifically mentioned target shooting and over 5kg of ammunition. Yet you still mention travelling by plane. On top you contributing nothing of value to the thread, you appear unaware that you cannot fly with more than 5kg of ammunition, including the container. You must go overland, or source your ammunition on arrival. Were you aware that target shooters often have quite specific ammo requirements which can be hard to find, or is that another thing you did not know?

I target shoot myself so am well aware of specific ammo requirements for that particular discipline and I do reload to support my hobby. I repeat that I do not travel in Europe or further abroad with firearms or ammo. I also mentioned the word 'ferry' which generally means that you would not be using the plane as a means of transport if another mode of travel was necessary. The only mocking that I am doing (if that is true) is because certain people can't seem to accept the principle that sovereign nations have the right to change their travel regulations if they deem it necessary to do so. The 'freedoms' that you enjoyed travelling across Europe with firearms / ammo when this country was part of the EU Bloc have now been restricted ... but not stopped. If you like your hobby then the inconvenience will be worth it. Stop whining, follow the procedure and go do your shooting.

Jamsie

 

[Cumbrian 1]

Sort of response I would expect from you.

Why because I am someone that travels extensively with firearms or because I had your best interests at heart?

 

[badmolassesaccident]

Oh come on Cumbrian. Don't go spoiling Heym's anti - Brexit narrative by quoting such annoying things as facts ...

Jamsie

You say you did not post mocking posts, yet you wrote the above. Which parts of the ‘anti-Brexit narrative’ were factually incorrect?

I target shoot myself so am well aware of specific ammo requirements for that particular discipline and I do reload to support my hobby. I repeat that I do not travel in Europe or further abroad with firearms or ammo. I also mentioned the word 'ferry' which generally means that you would not be using the plane as a means of transport if another mode of travel was necessary. The only mocking that I am doing (if that is true) is because certain people can't seem to accept the principle that sovereign nations have the right to change their travel regulations if they deem it necessary to do so. The 'freedoms' that you enjoyed travelling across Europe with firearms / ammo when this country was part of the EU Bloc have now been restricted ... but not stopped. If you like your hobby then the inconvenience will be worth it. Stop whining, follow the procedure and go do your shooting.

Jamsie

It is not your place to lecture about the logistics of travelling with firearms. You do not have experience travelling with firearms yourself. You have limited knowledge of it. You presume to be able to unilaterally determine how much time other people should have available to obtain visitor firearms permits for multiple countries when there is a requirement to transit through them on the way to a final destination.

As someone who does not travel with firearms, who does not appear to be aware of the 5kg ammo weight limit for air travel and who has not yet addressed having to apply for visitor permits for countries you aren’t even shooting in or stopping in, do you have any useful advice for this thread?

 

[Jamsie]

You say you did not post mocking posts, yet you wrote the above. Which parts of the ‘anti-Brexit narrative’ were factually incorrect?


It is not your place to lecture about the logistics of travelling with firearms. You do not have experience travelling with firearms yourself. You have limited knowledge of it. You presume to be able to unilaterally determine how much time other people should have available to obtain visitor firearms permits for multiple countries when there is a requirement to transit through them on the way to a final destination.

As someone who does not travel with firearms, who does not appear to be aware of the 5kg ammo weight limit for air travel and who has not yet addressed having to apply for visitor permits for countries you aren’t even shooting in or stopping in, do you have any useful advice for this thread?

This thread is less about travelling abroad with firearms and more about bashing Britain and it's decision to leave the eu. I've made it crystal clear that I don't (and won't be) travelling with firearms abroad and that I don't have any knowledge of that process. I have strong opinions regarding the former to which I am as entitled as you are. As I stated previously, there is nothing stopping anyone from travelling outside the UK with their legally-held firearms. Just follow the process required and allow sufficient time. I'm sure that it's all very bothersome and different to what people are used to, but that's all it is ie. different but not difficult.

Oh ... and my useful advice for the thread is that the current situation regarding travel abroad with firearms was very likely to change after Brexit. Do your research on what the new process requires and comply with it in good time. That really is about all there is to it. Feel free, as is your right, to cry, scream, moan, tear your hair out (delete as appropriate) in condemnation of this imposition of new regulations, but I fear that you may be wasting your time.

Jamsie

 

[Jagare]

I agree with post #35 Brexit is a done deal, the rules for transporting a hunting rifle or shotgun have changed. If I travel to the UK to hunt I need a visitors FAC so nothing has changed from before Brexit. Come to Sweden hunting with your rifle and you still need to obtain a Swedish permit just like before Brexit.
I'm sure most Country's in Europe firearm use, travel info can be found online. A bit more work to travel in Europe with a hunting weapon but it is what it is.

 

[Dunwaters]

The EFP is exactly what it says it is, a pass which permits you to carry your firearm through various countries.
To actually use your firearm in your destination country generally required a visitors permit, that was, and remains, the case with the UK, ROI, Sweden and Hungary that I know of.
Since Brexit, UK residents, except those from NI, can no longer avail of the EFP, which makes travel with a firearm on a trip where you intend to transit several countries awkward, you need permission in each individual country.
Given the open nature of internal borders within the EU you’re unlikely to have your papers checked except at the point of EU entry or exit but without specific authorisation you may well find yourself in a spot of bother if you are, for example, transiting through France enroute to Greece and the firearm comes to police attention for any reason.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Dover harbour as an example do spot checks on vehicles, they send them into a into a customs style hall where they sniff around your baggage, more likely to be picked out if you are a single male driver is what they told me as I had complained about always being pulled out on each trip.

 

[reiver]

Dover harbour as an example do spot checks on vehicles, they send them into a into a customs style hall where they sniff around your baggage, more likely to be picked out if you are a single male driver is what they told me as I had complained about always being pulled out on each trip.

That’s what customs is supposed to do .It’s called profiling if they didn't do spot checks how would they find anything? Do you get stoped Coming in or going out of the uk ?

Just to say I got my Dutch customs firearms pass through in less than 2 weeks ready for my trip next month to Croatia from Newcastle via Amsterdam . The paperwork is relatively straight forward to do and is free.
I have traveled abroad with firearms since 2006 .both to the EU and non EU country’s I don’t think the paper any worse now than then to be honest . Just certain airports and airlines are a POS.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

That’s what customs is supposed to do .It’s called profiling if they didn't do spot checks how would they find anything? Do you get stoped Coming in or going out of the uk ?

Just to say I got my Dutch customs firearms pass through in less than 2 weeks ready for my trip next month to Croatia from Newcastle via Amsterdam . The paperwork is relatively straight forward to do and is free.
I have traveled abroad with firearms since 2006 .both to the EU and non EU country’s I don’t think the paper any worse now than then to be honest . Just certain airports and airlines are a POS.

Do you get stopped Coming in or going out of the uk ?
I lived in Walmer near Deal and worked Mon-Fri in Europe from Holland/France/Germany for years coming home Fri evenings and returning early Mondays almost every weekend I was stopped in either direction often had my cars trim panels removed and refitted badly (I have quite a few tools the muppets left behind in my car) I pointed out to them often that I am a regular and you have never found anything as they would not have but I would have got more reaction from talking to a turd or a brick wall.