Our son is coming home from a year in Japan in just a few days. He would like to bring a Japanese bow and arrow with him -- a momento of his time in Japan, where he learned to love this sport. Does anyone know if this is something he can check at the airport along with his luggage? Thank you

YOu should check at tsa.gov. I would be inclined to say no.

He should probably consider shipping it, although there may be extra paperwork for any kind of weaponry.

I am sure they would not let it in the passenger part of the plane. I also think that if you checked it it will get the rough treatment airlines are known for. I suggest shipping it Federal or Airborne or any other.

As an aside, back in 1987 I returned from Jamaica. I hand carried a machete home, through customers and out the door with barely a second look from 'security'.

New world...

mm

His memento should--without any doubt!!!--be professionally shipped. If I were your son, I would return to the dealer where he bought it, as they probably know the appropriate procedure for shipping their items.

Here is a thought, contact the airline for correct information.

He may be able to just put it in his checked luggage.

Doubtful he'll be able to carry this item on.

He can't carry it on but it can be packed in a box and checked with his luggage. Hunters check their rifles, for heaven's sake.

Hi Gretchen, just wondering, do you have firsthand knowledge of hunters who have checked weapons/firearms on international flights?

Yes, I do.

Two good friends of mine and their sons fly quite frequently to Argentina to hunt and they check rifles.

I totally agree with Gretchen. What are the rest of you thinking?

As long as there is no laws against bringing in weapons to your destination, almost anything can be check with your luggage. I brought a Japanese Samurai sword from Japan and another sword from Thailand. I also brought couple of guns from Afghanistan and Europe. The guns were for friends of mine. I just don't like guns.

The point is that it's very possible. Have it wrapped very nicely, check it in as fragile item and declare it on your customs form.

I never had any problems.

When I was checking in at Southwest in Reno a few weeks ago there were two hunters ahead of me checking in their rifles. It's done all the time...people that live in say the Bay Area flying up to hunt in Alaska, or Idaho etc. What they could NOT take was the ammo. Your son should have no problem with his bow and arrow but be sure it's well boxed so it doesn't get broken..also, it probably should be a box that is easily opened for inspection. If any other doubts have him call his airline direct.

Part of what makes this board such a great resource is the firsthand experiece that so many have. However, while I cannot speak for anyone but myself, AA Frequent..., *I* was thinking that in the current climate that one could not just check weapons in their luggage. I also guess, apparently naively so, that it would never have occurred to me that anyone else would be travelling w/weapons and so I, again naively, assumed that someone attempting to check a weapon might be stopped and searched. A young man I know was held aside and all his luggage was recently tested for explosives just b/c his driver's license had expired 2 *weeks* previous to his travel...This, to me, is illustrative of the current travel climate. I was trying to help a mother have her child avoid any difficulties at an international airport....Again, I cannot speak for what the rest of the posters were thinking!!

Bow and Arrows - Bows and arrows are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners.

Source: TSA website
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/e...orial_1188.xml

Although checking the item wont be a problem, I would probably be inclined to ship it home FedEx or equivalent for the reason that FedEx is nicer to their packages than airlines are with the luggage. Plus, it is just easier not to have to take a package to the airport.

I would hope someone can tell the difference between a weapon and an artifact.

HI, just to clarfy, are you suggesting that rifles, guns, working bows and arrows--not to mention machetes--all of the above referenced items--are artifacts?

Yes, socialworker, I do have first hand knowledge. we fly to Denver often during elk season and there are literally stacks of gun cases coming off the carousel. And yes, even I, a gray haired grandmother, have been taken aside and had my carryon checked for powder residue.

I totally agree that your son should professionally ship his bow and arrow home. The airlines only guarantee $250 replacement value per bag, while FedEx, UPS and the Postal Service allow you to buy added value insurance for your item in case of damage.

FWIW, my husband has TWICE flown to Colorado to go elk hunting, and checked his hunting rifle AND ammo. It does require some paperwork and an extra inspection from the TSA, but it is very do-able. The ammo has to be packed spearately from the rifle, and both must be in padlocked, hard-sided cases. The ammo can go inside a suitcase as long as the box containing it is small enough. This was very important for my husband as not all stores carry the ammo for his hunting rifle, and it would be a huge disappointment for him to not have any ammo when he arrived at the hunting camp...

social worker, I'm not suggesting anything. I'm hoping security can tell the difference between a weapon and an artifact.

Artifact: Asian motif painted bow and decorative arrows. Bow strung with little to no tension weight.

Weapon: 30.06 hunting rifle with scope.

Hi Go..thanks for clarifying and Gretchen, I was not doubting the firsthand knowledge you had already referred to above...I am sorry if it somehow seemed that I was!

I guess I am just a little taken aback that it is possible to transport such an assortment of dangerous items on a plane. But, re: the OP's query, I still think that the young man in Japan should make things easy on himself--security-wise--and ship the bow and arrow.