Driving from Kent to Greece with two shotguns on an European Firearms Pass

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rjohnscuba

Active Member
Hello All,

We are heading to Greece for a LONG stay, I am considering driving through France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria to get to Greece. I would like to take two UK licensed shotguns with a European Firearms Pass.

Has anyone done this or similar before and what were your experiences?

I did consider the France, Italy and Greece driving route using the ferry from Brindisi, Italy to Igoumenitsa, Greece. But Grimaldi Lines Ferry does not allow weapons.

I will, of course, be taking all reasonable security precautions along the way including keeping weapons out of view (probably locked in the gun cabinet in the back of my SUV), fore grips removed and kept on my person (in a backpack), paperwork kept on my person at all times and not actually carrying any ammunition.

Once in Greece I will register the shotguns in the usual way.

Many thanks
Rob
 
I used to do UK to Greece in the 90s in a lorry , not sure of the gun rules and regs on a journey like that though.We used to go France,Belgium,Germany,Czechlosavakia,Hungary,Yugoslavia and then into Greece. It's changed a bit since then but I wouldn't be worried transititing the former Yugoslavia, check what documents you need for the countries you wish to transit and you will be fine. E75 all the way to Greece. Have you tried looking at different ferry companies? Ancona to Patras used to be quite popular when the war was on in Yugoslavia .
 
Rob do you have a written invite to shoot somewhere in Greece or are you just intending to simply use your EFP as a convenient way of transporting the guns until you can apply for any necessary authority required in Greece as a resident?
 
Hello 8x57,

We're emigrating to Greece, will start with shooting at local clay pigeon range near Thessaloniki and progress from there.

I will register the shotguns through our local Greek Police Station shortly after arrival.

Many thanks
Rob
 
your suppose make a declaration at every border... and be inspected we never bothered and just took it like man when stopped then blamed the previous border guerds/ police for not doing the job right....

never had any real issues they seemed more interested in cigarettes and booze....

editted

they do sell shotguns in Greece, the problem can be when your certificate expires and they say in the UK, ok where's your guns..?

editted some more

have you considered putting them on a carnet? this means the items are encapsulated in a legal document which means it's down to someone else (the last person to sign it)

which would work well if the police sign it into the register of keepers? or whatever they have also you then have a document to show the cops in the UK
 
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Personally I would contact the Greek embassy and enquire with them about the correct process. The process that you are suggesting is really intended for holidaying rather than for permanent export of the guns which is something that you will have to declare at some point when your actual residence changes.
 
or find the club you'll be joining and we'll ship the stuff to that location once they've been properly tagged as the recipient using the UKTI BIS paperwork (for a hansome fee) or you fly out with it and we'll deliver to airside at the airport/ carrier customs clearing.
 
You wouldn't need a carnet either as your not going outside of the EU. One thing is for sure is make sure your paperwork is correct and if it's not quite right you best get your negotiating head on.
 
the carnet is more to encapsulate the items in transit, which means they're not yours, your in effect the shipper. Legally it's nice not to be too close to a cargo when "they" you know "them" are looking to throw you in a cell.

:)
 
I'm not an expert on carnets and T forms , you don't have a carnet for one EU country to another, there for EEC to non EEC so the chambers of commerce wouldn't draw you one up. You may well be thinking of a CMR which effectively is a delivery note that the sender gets signed by the customer of the goods.
 
There is another ferry line running southern France to Greece. I don't believe it is Grimaldi that run this lane but can't check until back at work tomorrow
 
I have driven France, Belgium, NL, Germany, Poland, Lithuania and France, Belgium, Germany, Austria-Slovakia and Hungary on many occasions without issue.
 
levigsp said:
I have driven France, Belgium, NL, Germany, Poland, Lithuania and France, Belgium, Germany, Austria-Slovakia and Hungary on many occasions without issue.
Click to expand...

your missing the subtle point, and while I love the idea you've not had any issues travelling about consider this. Matey is using his EU weapons permit which is a temporary reciprocal travel permit to permanently "export" his stuff to a new life in Greece.

the problem starts when he can't explain where his stuff is, when asked and "they" you know "them" issue an arrest warrant for him.... Plus they'll get really stroppy when "they" appear at his registered address... you know like the place he lives/ lived at all the time... until they turn up and then kick in the door and arrest the wrong people cos there's other people living there...! who may have bought his home and who know nothing about his guns, any permit, where he's gone apart from he's gone...

I'd paid good money to be a fly on the wall on that day....!

but let's not worry too much about that, cos it's not my problem :)
 
Does the op not state that he's having a long stay ? I'm trying to work out what you mean by can't explain where his stuff is, he says that he will be taking them in his suv?
 
I will be registering the shotguns in Greece on arrival, we have the completed the necessary (long) process and documentation for us to live in Greece. The European Firearms Pass is for transport only. I have been on the website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/firearms-and-export-control-forms

Their wording goes as follows:

Quote: Depending on whether you are a business or an individual, you are likely to need to complete one or other of the following documents for customs purposes if you intend to take a firearm overseas:
  • an export licence issued by the Export Control Organisation (ECO)
  • EC3, EC4 and EC5 forms - valid documentation required in conjunction with particular export licence applications
  • Prior Import Consent (PIC) - obtained from the relevant authority in the destination country of import
  • a European Firearms Pass (EFP) - issued by the Firearms Licensing Unit of your local police authority
  • a Firearms Certificate - issued by your local police authority and proving ownership of the item
In many situations, the legislation will permit an export without the need for an export licence, provided certain requirements are met.

and

Quote:
[h=3]Do I need to apply for an export licence or not?[/h]If you wish to export items listed under the ML1 and ML2 control entries - even temporarily - from the UK, you will have to consider whether the ‘personal effects’ exemption applies (and in the case of exports to the EU if you can also use an EFP).
If the exemption does not apply you will need to apply for an export licence issued by the ECO.

I will remove these shotguns from my Shotgun certificate once they are registered, in Greece.
 
I would get a letter from the receiving club, to have with you. Declaring they are aware your on route, that way if asked your delivering rather than just in possession guns....

best of luck in Greece

:)
 
DAVIDAIKEN said:
Unless the two shotguns are fitted to you or special in some way I'd sell them and buy in Greece
Click to expand...

SurreyArmoury said:
they do sell shotguns in Greece, the problem can be when your certificate expires and they say in the UK, ok where's your guns..?

editted some more

have you considered putting them on a carnet? this means the items are encapsulated in a legal document which means it's down to someone else (the last person to sign it)

which would work well if the police sign it into the register of keepers? or whatever they have also you then have a document to show the cops in the UK
Click to expand...

the OP must have the major horn for them..... as this was covered before....

he's over 18 has a driving licence and passport and must know what's the best course of action..... best left alone and too it seems the right thing to do :)
 
SurreyArmoury said:
**
Click to expand...
Well I read his first post and it said long stay, I missed the bit in his other post saying emigrating, however I have found it difficult trying to work out what your trying to say in your posts, no offence , and I hope the op has a happy and safe journey to Greece.
 
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