broadheads, traveling through the netherlands

[R. W. Mackey]

Wondering if anyone has had any bad experiences with Germany. Have a trip in August leaving DFW in Dallas through Frankford, Germany on to Windhoek, Namibia. Was thnking of splitting my bows between my check bag and a Pelicn bowcase, but maybe I just need to add another check bag to split them up.  Thoughts from anyone.  RW

[Jorge]

Hi from europe

I have travelled by Germany to Namibia with my bows with no problems. Two of the guys went with their compound hard cases, are not discrets, and no one question. Europe is not as your country, if something looks as a weapon will be checked and probably will go by the police. I would use duffel bags, maybe you can put your hard case into the duffel.

[saumensch]

Germany aint a problem if its checked in luggage.
Broadheads are legal here.
Bows arent even considered weapons so no problem there (as long as you dont hurt or threaten anyone with it).

[187BOWHUNTER]

IDK, maybe mail them ahead of time

[Don_G]

I had exactly this problem in 2006. They called me down to customs for broadheads. I had a 416 Rem, no problem. 60 rounds for same? No problem.

Broadheads? Call the cops!  I was lucky, I had put the bow and arrows on the same fax as my 416 Rem, and the paper had been approved - even though it should not have been under the law. They let me take  the broadheads off and put them in my regular baggage and continue.  They said that broadheads had been made illegal in the Middle Ages!  

I packed the heads in my checked suitcase - not my bowcase - on the way back. No problem.  

Don't know how I'm getting to TZ in June. Suggestions welcome.

[Bowwild]

Because of this thread I'm shipping two dozen arrows with broad heads to my friend/PH one month before I go. I'm sending early to make sure they arrive.  More expensive as I'll have to have duplicate gear to continue my practice sessions with.

In fact, when booking my flight I turned down all routes that stopped in the Netherlands. I go Cincinnati, Dulles, Dakar, Johannasburg.

My back-up will be to pack the broad heads and arrows in checked baggage separate from my bow. I'd like to put my TD curve in a carry-on bag but I don't know if I could do that.  I packed a recurve from WI to KY several years ago. I had to put the limbs in carry-on and the riser (club?) in a checked bag.

Here' s the rub. You can't even have confidence that asking the airline or the airport will prevent problems.  Depending upon the person(s) you encounter they have different interpretations!

For example, one TSA Prince may say belt off and the next (same airport) leaves you alone.

[cacciatore]

Roy,don't trust who can say you that limbs can goon your carry on!Everything need to go on checked bags!

[Bowwild]

Thanks Felix.

[Don_G]

My PH just went through Schipol twice carrying broadheads with no problem. He had them in a different case than his bow.  He does this routinely.

As stated before, I had problems there several years back.

It appears like it's as much a matter of who's on duty as much as anything else - just like here in the USA.

YMMV

[ursusmajor]

I had asked this question but havnt gotten a response. I see this thread is somewhat old. I will b travelling to joburg via the netherlands. Is ther still an issue with going thru ther with broadheads?  What's best way to get around it? Put broadheads in seperate bag as bow??

[Horne Shooter]

I would not chance it.  You may have a problem, you may not.  If you do chance it, I would definitely "disguise" them the best you can.  If there is a way around Holland, I would take it.  I've been to Africa three times, two of the times I went through Holland and one of those times I had a MAJOR problem.  It was not a good day...if they do question you (this may seem obvious) but be polite.  You don't have the rights in a foreign country that we are used to here in the U.S.

[ursusmajor]

Trust me.  They confiscate your broadheads.  I flew from Detroit to the Netherlands, then onto to Joberg.  I flew out july 8th and my gear never made it.  Just got it all back this past weekend.  Everything was ther except my broadheads. They were also kind enuff to fold my kenati quiver in half for me.  U can gather what i think of the Netherlands.

[TxAg]

^^^ ouch, that stinks

[amazonjim]

I just had a recent flight to South America, asked if I could carry on my limbs and no deal had to check them.