International shipping

[Shooting Kiwi]

Hi. Can anyone recommend a shipping company that will transport pistols between countries (from Denmark to New Zealand, for starters)?

In NZ, we are in the fortunate position of being allowed to import firearms. A Danish dealer is happy to send me a pistol, provided I can find a shipper. Contacting the NZ office of each of the three best-known courier / shippers was frustrating. Apparently, I have to contact the office at the sending end of the process, which is problematic if you don't speak the local lingo. In this age of near-instant electronic communication, it seems that it is beyond the capability of these organizations to arrange transport from the recipient's end.

[Richard H]

Have you tried contacting them via the internet at their head offices to see if they will ship firearms?

[Shooting Kiwi]

Have you tried?

I've spent ages trawling through the UPS site(s), to name but one. There are screeds explaining the restrictions on handgun shipping, but it still seems possible. Trying to find a suitable address to which to address the question has defeated me. Why do they have to make the process so opaque? OK, perhaps they don't want to be asked difficult questions? Perhaps I'm stupid. I tried... I'm tired...

By the way, can anyone explain why an unloaded firearm is considered 'dangerous material'? Sweating dynamite, anthrax spores and plutonium I can understand, but a pistol in a box is about as dangerous as a hammer in a box, isn't it?

[j-team]

Use the postal service. Thats how I've bought pistols to New Zealand previously. It's cheaper than air freight and you don't have to pay a clearance fee when it arrives (only GST).

If you are hell bent on air freight try Korean Airlines, they will take firearms.

[Richard H]

Have you tried?

I've spent ages trawling through the UPS site(s), to name but one. There are screeds explaining the restrictions on handgun shipping, but it still seems possible. Trying to find a suitable address to which to address the question has defeated me. Why do they have to make the process so opaque? OK, perhaps they don't want to be asked difficult questions? Perhaps I'm stupid. I tried... I'm tired...

By the way, can anyone explain why an unloaded firearm is considered 'dangerous material'? Sweating dynamite, anthrax spores and plutonium I can understand, but a pistol in a box is about as dangerous as a hammer in a box, isn't it?

Did you try to call any of these from the link below

http://www.ups.com/content/nz/en/contac ... svl=SecNav

[Shooting Kiwi]

'phoned local office - see first post.

When energy levels recover, I'll try emailing, but predict I'll again be told to contact the sending country's office (for which I can't find an email address!). Grrr!

[Richard H]

How about this

http://www.ups.com/content/dk/en/resour ... index.html


from here.

http://www.ups.com/content/dk/en/contac ... svl=SecNav

There's phone numbers too, chance are you most likely will find someone who speaks english its not that uncommon in Denmark.

[j-team1]

'phoned local office - see first post.

When energy levels recover, I'll try emailing, but predict I'll again be told to contact the sending country's office (for which I can't find an email address!). Grrr!

Don't waste your time. Read my previous post. I've used the postal service for pistol to NZ from Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.

[Kiwi bob]

I imported a pistol from Australia 2 years ago, via parcel post and had no problems. All I had to deal with was customs and to pay the duty.

Kiwi bob

[David Levene]

Out of interest,does Danish law (as in the original post) allow the transportation of firearms in the mail?

[Spencer]

Postage of firearms and firearms post from Australia is a contentious matter.

In a classic catch 22, firearms can only go to New Zealand by sea mail
http://www.auspost.com.au/international ... /firearms/
http://www.auspost.com.au/international ... Lifted.pdf
and there is no sea mail service to New Zealand
http://www.auspost.com.au/international ... s/seamail/

Spencer

[Shooting Kiwi]

I discovered the above when I explored getting a pistol from Australia. No go.

The irony is that (I have been told) an air passenger can transport a pistol with him (although not as cabin baggage!), with appropriate export licence. This seems the only realistic way to get a pistol across the Tasman Sea.

Now which is the more 'dangerous', an unloaded pistol in an anonymous box or a passenger, with unknown intentions and of unknown psychological health, carrying his weapon through airports, streets, etc., in taxis, on busses, trains, whatever, from home to destination? Oops, perhaps the authorities will stop that also.

[Richard H]

I discovered the above when I explored getting a pistol from Australia. No go.

The irony is that (I have been told) an air passenger can transport a pistol with him (although not as cabin baggage!), with appropriate export licence. This seems the only realistic way to get a pistol across the Tasman Sea.

Now which is the more 'dangerous', an unloaded pistol in an anonymous box or a passenger, with unknown intentions and of unknown psychological health, carrying his weapon through airports, streets, etc., in taxis, on busses, trains, whatever, from home to destination? Oops, perhaps the authorities will stop that also.

Neither is dangerous but I wouldn't use that logic because yes they would just like to ban both and they are well on there way all around the world, the death of a thousand cuts is upon us all including the US, the great bastion of gun rights and gun culture., god help us if they succeed in passing any more gun bans there.

[jamesh]

Try a specialist freight forwarder, eg http://www.pbs-int.co.uk/firearms.htmlmay be able to help or advise.

It won't be cheap.

If you ship open mail what happens if it vanishes?

"Recent legislation means courier companies can no longer deliver firearms throughout Europe and beyond."
From their website, not sure if its true.