WHFTA 2025
International travel
WHFTA 2025
HERE YOU WILL FIND LOADS OF USEFUL INFORMATION RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO WHFTA 2025. FROM UK AIRGUN LAW, TO TRANSPORT LINKS AND MUCH MORE.
UK Airgun Law
Many visitors may have heard about how strict our gun laws are in the UK. Whilst this is true it doesn’t mean travelling to the UK with an air rifle that has a power less than 12 ft-lbs is difficult. Many shooters from around the world have visited England with airguns with ease and have enjoyed their stay without any issues.
Our laws are the same as in Wales, however Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules so if you do intend to visit those countries with an airgun then you will need to comply with their licensing rules and regulations. Below are some helpful guidelines but if you have any specific questions then please let us know.
UK air rifles* are treated as firearms. The only distinction is that rifles under 12 ft-lbs do not require a license. This means there is no documentation either available or required to enter the UK with them. However, we will supply a letter of invitation and explanation to help at customs should any questions arise. UK customs may inspect your rifle to ensure it is as such, so it is useful to pack the rifle so that its serial number is easily visible.
If your home country requires a license or documentation, you will need these when you leave the UK. It is advisable that you carry photographic ID and your invitation when you are with your air rifle outside of the competition.
You must contact the airline or ferry you are travelling with to ensure that they know you are travelling with an airgun so they can advise you of the procedure you need to follow for the rifle and pellets. It is important that you ensure any transfers are included as these can complicate the procedures to a significant degree. We advise you book direct journeys if that is possible.
Here are some further rules:
Air rifles are covered by the UK firearms act which means they can carry the same penalties as a firearm.
Air rifles are not permitted on public transport (bus, coach, tram or train) in a case/cover or otherwise.
Air rifles are not permitted to be left so that those under the age of 18 can have access to them.
Air rifles are not permitted in a public place, in a case or cover or otherwise, without a reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse is directly travelling to and from a shooting competition such as WHFTA 2025 or a shooting club.
Scopes, silencers, muzzle brakes are all permitted on air rifles in England and Wales.
There is no need for a muzzle flag, breech flag or any other awareness device in the UK.
Rifles can be left in hotel accommodation in the room. Precautions must be taken to prevent access by those under the age 18.
*there are separate rules for air pistols but as we are not running an air pistol competition, we will not refer to them. Some rules are common with air rifles, some are not.
A good resource for an overview of airgun law in the UK is our government GUIDE HERE :
HTTPS://WWW.GOV.UK/GOVERNMENT/PUBLICATIONS/AIR-WEAPONS-A-BRIEF
Travelling by air
Here is a list of the main airports we would expect you to arrive at and their distance and average driving time from the venue.
East midlands airport (EMA) 35 minutes/ 20 miles
Birmingham international (BMX) 1 hour / 59 miles
Luton airport (lTN) 1 hour 45 minutes / 95 miles
Manchester (MAN) 1 hour 50 minutes / 96 miles
London Heathrow (LHR) 2 hours 15 minutes / 135 miles
London Gatwick (LGR) 3 hours / 175 miles
Further afield, other airports that may serve you are:
Bristol airport (BRS) 2 hours / 120 miles
Liverpool (LPL) 1.5 hours / 80 miles
Stansted airport (STN) 2.5 hours / 147miles
long haul flights will most likely arrive into the UK’s main airports, London Heathrow (LHR), Birmingham (BMX) or Manchester (MAN). Shorter haul flights may be found that can fly into east midlands airport (ema) which is in close proximity to the venue.
*Just a reminder, you need to ensure your airline will carry firearms to and from the airport of your choice. We have been made a way of some airlines carrying firearms out but not in, and serving some airports with firearms but not others, especially when non direct flights including transfers are concerned.
Arriving by land
Several ferry terminals are available if you prefer this method. You should check with your ferry company that they will carry firearms but to date we are not aware of any issues with this. An alternative is the Eurotunnel which also carries firearms.
Here is a list of ports you may arrive at and their distance and average driving time from the venue.
Hull 1 hour 45 minutes / 82 miles
Portsmouth 3 hours / 180 miles
Harwich 3 hours / 168 miles
dover 3 hours 40 minutes / 205 miles
Eurotunnel Folkstone 3 hours 30 minutes / 200 miles
if you have any more specific questions then please do not hesitate to contact us and we’ll assist you further.
Public transport
just a reminder that it is not legal to carry airguns on public transport (train, bus, tram, coach) so you will need to arrange for your own private transport such as car hire.
Here is a list of the main airports we would expect you to arrive at and their distance and average driving time from the venue.
East midlands airport (EMA) 35 minutes/ 20 miles
Birmingham international (BMX) 1 hour / 59 miles
Luton airport (lTN) 1 hour 45 minutes / 95 miles
Manchester (MAN) 1 hour 50 minutes / 96 miles
London Heathrow (LHR) 2 hours 15 minutes / 135 miles
London Gatwick (LGR) 3 hours / 175 miles
Further afield, other airports that may serve you are:
Bristol airport (BRS) 2 hours / 120 miles
Liverpool (LPL) 1.5 hours / 80 miles
Stansted airport (STN) 2.5 hours / 147miles
long haul flights will most likely arrive into the UK’s main airports, London Heathrow (LHR), Birmingham (BMX) or Manchester (MAN). Shorter haul flights may be found that can fly into east midlands airport (ema) which is in close proximity to the venue.
*Just a reminder, you need to ensure your airline will carry firearms to and from the airport of your choice. We have been made a way of some airlines carrying firearms out but not in, and serving some airports with firearms but not others, especially when non direct flights including transfers are concerned.
Arriving by land
Several ferry terminals are available if you prefer this method. You should check with your ferry company that they will carry firearms but to date we are not aware of any issues with this. An alternative is the Eurotunnel which also carries firearms.
Here is a list of ports you may arrive at and their distance and average driving time from the venue.
Hull 1 hour 45 minutes / 82 miles
Portsmouth 3 hours / 180 miles
Harwich 3 hours / 168 miles
dover 3 hours 40 minutes / 205 miles
Eurotunnel Folkstone 3 hours 30 minutes / 200 miles
if you have any more specific questions then please do not hesitate to contact us and we’ll assist you further.
Public transport
just a reminder that it is not legal to carry airguns on public transport (train, bus, tram, coach) so you will need to arrange for your own private transport such as car hire.