Qatar Airways + Firearms

[Bivy]

Hi All,

Heading to RSA at the moment and thought I’d share my experience traveling with a firearm on Qatar.

This forum lacked concise guidance, but here’s the short synopsis of what you need to do and what you need to provide.

1) I called a month in advance (simple 1-800 helpline) and informed the airline of my intent to transport a firearm. They collected basic information about the rifle/ammunition and advised what I should bring at check-in.

2) Assembled required paperwork copies
- Valid 4457
- SAPS Permit (completed via Afton)
- Invitation Letter from outfitter
- Copy of Passport
- Declaration of Surrender of Firearm

Note: They had a Declaration of Surrender of Firearm waiting at the counter based on the information I provided when I called, but chose to use mine as it was typed and likely more detailed/accurate.

3) Check-in: The counter supervisor spotted the gun case and pulled us out of line and immediately to the front. They weighed the ammunition case to confirm it didn’t exceed 5kg. They didn’t require me to open the rifle case. Overall the process to check bags, get tickets, and sign firearm paperwork was 15 minutes.

4) I was stopped and told to stand aside briefly in Seattle and Doha. The 1 or 2 minute delay was so the supervisor could advise that the firearm had been loaded onto the aircraft.

And that’s all so far. I don’t anticipate any issues at O.R. Tambo. Hopefully this will be helpful for someone!

Bivy

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Hi All,

Heading to RSA at the moment and thought I’d share my experience traveling with a firearm on Qatar.

This forum lacked concise guidance, but here’s the short synopsis of what you need to do and what you need to provide.

1) I called a month in advance (simple 1-800 helpline) and informed the airline of my intent to transport a firearm. They collected basic information about the rifle/ammunition and advised what I should bring at check-in.

2) Assembled required paperwork copies
- Valid 4457
- SAPS Permit (completed via Afton)
- Invitation Letter from outfitter
- Copy of Passport
- Declaration of Surrender of Firearm

Note: They had a Declaration of Surrender of Firearm waiting at the counter based on the information I provided when I called, but chose to use mine as it was typed and likely more detailed/accurate.

3) Check-in: The counter supervisor spotted the gun case and pulled us out of line and immediately to the front. They weighed the ammunition case to confirm it didn’t exceed 5kg. They didn’t require me to open the rifle case. Overall the process to check bags, get tickets, and sign firearm paperwork was 15 minutes.

4) I was stopped and told to stand aside briefly in Seattle and Doha. The 1 or 2 minute delay was so the supervisor could advise that the firearm had been loaded onto the aircraft.

And that’s all so far. I don’t anticipate any issues at O.R. Tambo. Hopefully this will be helpful for someone!

Bivy

Yep, that sounds familiar. Surprised you didn't find that already on AH, I know it's been shared. But this is for certain concise.

I'd add that my first experience with Qatar was only by email and it was a little slow. If you have the actually phone number, please do share, Seems things move easier that way.

Side note: If you use a travel agency specializing in hunters travel, they can handle this all for you.

 

[Bivy]

Qatar Support # +1-877-777-2827

In regard to travel agencies—I’ve had better luck on my own, minimal issues, and the reality is this stuff isn’t that hard. People make it hard.

I’ve used a couple of the most popular hunting-focused travel agencies and pricing was higher than I can manage with Alaska Airlines benefits, companion fares, and points

 

[analog_peninsula]

I had a very different experience in the fall of 22. When I called and emailed, nobody ever knew anything. I tried to get the necessary clearance for the better part of a month. Every referral lead to a dead end. With two weeks to go before departure, I called Gracy Travel, and, for a fee, they had everything sorted out within three or four days. From that point on, there were no difficulties. The experience left me feeling ambivalent about an otherwise exceptional airline.

 

[Sideshow]

My notes all are two years old and Heathrow to NZ. Very easy Same as the above OP. Easy and a breeze to deal with. Good to see they have not changed.

 

[Manny R]

I flew to Nambia in 2023. I chose Travel Express and flew Qatar Airlines. She had my gun paperwork for the airlines at least a month prior to my departure from IAH.
One suggestion I will make to anyone flying ... Always have backup documentation and any approvals for your guns. If an airline misplaces any information you have the paperwork to show them.

 

[sgtsabai]

All good information for someone like me who is new and still learning. I've still a long wait until Sept. '25 and still a lot to learn about getting to S.A. Thinking seriously of taking an airline like Qatar or Emirates even if it takes longer just for for the comfort for the price difference between those and US airlines. Thanks for the information, I've a lot to learn.

 

[Sideshow]

@sgtsabai I’ve also flown with Emirates with firearms, no complaints same service firearm wise as Qatar.
Dont worry it will come sooner than you think

 

[sgt_zim]

Hi All,

Heading to RSA at the moment and thought I’d share my experience traveling with a firearm on Qatar.

This forum lacked concise guidance, but here’s the short synopsis of what you need to do and what you need to provide.

1) I called a month in advance (simple 1-800 helpline) and informed the airline of my intent to transport a firearm. They collected basic information about the rifle/ammunition and advised what I should bring at check-in.

2) Assembled required paperwork copies
- Valid 4457
- SAPS Permit (completed via Afton)
- Invitation Letter from outfitter
- Copy of Passport
- Declaration of Surrender of Firearm

Note: They had a Declaration of Surrender of Firearm waiting at the counter based on the information I provided when I called, but chose to use mine as it was typed and likely more detailed/accurate.

3) Check-in: The counter supervisor spotted the gun case and pulled us out of line and immediately to the front. They weighed the ammunition case to confirm it didn’t exceed 5kg. They didn’t require me to open the rifle case. Overall the process to check bags, get tickets, and sign firearm paperwork was 15 minutes.

4) I was stopped and told to stand aside briefly in Seattle and Doha. The 1 or 2 minute delay was so the supervisor could advise that the firearm had been loaded onto the aircraft.

And that’s all so far. I don’t anticipate any issues at O.R. Tambo. Hopefully this will be helpful for someone!

Bivy

What kind of ammo case do you have, and where did you buy it?

 

[Philip Glass]

Hi All,

Heading to RSA at the moment and thought I’d share my experience traveling with a firearm on Qatar.

This forum lacked concise guidance, but here’s the short synopsis of what you need to do and what you need to provide.

1) I called a month in advance (simple 1-800 helpline) and informed the airline of my intent to transport a firearm. They collected basic information about the rifle/ammunition and advised what I should bring at check-in.

2) Assembled required paperwork copies
- Valid 4457
- SAPS Permit (completed via Afton)
- Invitation Letter from outfitter
- Copy of Passport
- Declaration of Surrender of Firearm

Note: They had a Declaration of Surrender of Firearm waiting at the counter based on the information I provided when I called, but chose to use mine as it was typed and likely more detailed/accurate.

3) Check-in: The counter supervisor spotted the gun case and pulled us out of line and immediately to the front. They weighed the ammunition case to confirm it didn’t exceed 5kg. They didn’t require me to open the rifle case. Overall the process to check bags, get tickets, and sign firearm paperwork was 15 minutes.

4) I was stopped and told to stand aside briefly in Seattle and Doha. The 1 or 2 minute delay was so the supervisor could advise that the firearm had been loaded onto the aircraft.

And that’s all so far. I don’t anticipate any issues at O.R. Tambo. Hopefully this will be helpful for someone!

Bivy

Bivy,
Thanks for posting your experience. It is the same experience we have had with one exception. I use a TA so I don't have to do the call in to inform them.
I'll be on Qatar with my group very soon!
Philip

 

[JimP]

All good information for someone like me who is new and still learning. I've still a long wait until Sept. '25 and still a lot to learn about getting to S.A. Thinking seriously of taking an airline like Qatar or Emirates even if it takes longer just for for the comfort for the price difference between those and US airlines. Thanks for the information, I've a lot to learn.

Unless you are flying business class I'll recommend that you fly the most direct route that you can to get there. That 24 hour + in the air time on Qatar is a killer in cattle class. I flew it a couple of years ago and after getting home I came to the conclusion that I'd never fly it again. But Qatar was picked because it was at the end of Covid and they were the most dependable airline to get us to where we wanted to go.

I also highly recommend a travel agent that is familiar with hunters flying to South Africa. The little that you pay them for their services is well worth it in eliminating things that you either forgot or have to do prior to your flights.

 

[WyoBull]

Used Travel Express last year flying Qatar from Houston to Doha and then on to Johannesburg.
They were very good with the firearms and ammunition check in process knowing exactly what to do.
Qatar Airlines made it very simple.

 

[Moody808]

I realize that this is an old thread, wondering if someone can shed some light on what the situation is with respect to firearms and stopovers in Qatar. The have a discover qatar offer where you can stay at a luxury hotel for a couple of days when flying through there for almost no money. I thought it would be a nice treat for my wife after a couple of weeks in the bush but can't find any information on whether or not you can do this if flying with firearms. Any help appreciated. Thanks

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I realize that this is an old thread, wondering if someone can shed some light on what the situation is with respect to firearms and stopovers in Qatar. The have a discover qatar offer where you can stay at a luxury hotel for a couple of days when flying through there for almost no money. I thought it would be a nice treat for my wife after a couple of weeks in the bush but can't find any information on whether or not you can do this if flying with firearms. Any help appreciated. Thanks

I think a call to one of the travel agents specializing in travel for hunters would be your best bet here.

 

[Red Leg]

Or utilize a quality travel agent who specializes in the hunting community. Worth every penny.

 

[JimP]

I have always thought that it is good practice to not mix hunting with vacations or sightseeing if you are taking firearms.

On my first trip to South Africa we did a 2 week tour of the country but we had arrangements for the safe keeping of our rifles before hand.

 

[Scott CWO]

I realize that this is an old thread, wondering if someone can shed some light on what the situation is with respect to firearms and stopovers in Qatar. The have a discover qatar offer where you can stay at a luxury hotel for a couple of days when flying through there for almost no money. I thought it would be a nice treat for my wife after a couple of weeks in the bush but can't find any information on whether or not you can do this if flying with firearms. Any help appreciated. Thanks

Unless something has changed, I was told you cannot leave the airport if you travel with firearms. Check with Gracy Travel. They have the most experience with Qatar and certain countries.

 

[Altitude sickness]

I was pitched an “opportunity” to leave the Doha airport free or cheaply. And if I did there were arrangements where the airport would store my firearms. I had to collect the firearms. Transfer them to storage, then collect them and go through the entire firearm check in again before leaving Qatar. No thank you. There are enough hassles and issues without purposely causing more.

I just booked an in airport hotel room for the lengthy layover instead.

Which ever you decide I would fly Emirates not Qatar air.

 

[sgt_zim]

I realize that this is an old thread, wondering if someone can shed some light on what the situation is with respect to firearms and stopovers in Qatar. The have a discover qatar offer where you can stay at a luxury hotel for a couple of days when flying through there for almost no money. I thought it would be a nice treat for my wife after a couple of weeks in the bush but can't find any information on whether or not you can do this if flying with firearms. Any help appreciated. Thanks

To each his own, but a couple days in Doha ain't exactly my idea of vacay. All the Persian Gulf states are hot and humid AF. I've been through Doha, but had a couple weeks of business in Dubai a number of years ago. In August. Daytime highs were 110 - 120ºF, and probably 80 - 90% humidity.

I've lived on the GoM/GoA almost all my life. I'm not unaccustomed to heat and humidity, starting in May and ending in late September or early October. The Persian Gulf is worse. WAY worse.

 

[deewayne2003]

July 2024 I used PWP travel and flew Qatar out of DFW; it took over 3 hours to get checked in with my guns; with it taking so long to get checked in the TSA precheck was closed so I had to go through the full security check and when I made it to my gate they had already started boarding.

Probably the most frustrating travel experience of my life and unless I have a Q Suite I will not be flying Qatar again.