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Rules for the transportation of weapons and ammunition
Weapons, ammunition, and special equipment are accepted for transport only with prior approval from Smartavia.
Weapons must be transported as a separate checked luggage item in an isolated compartment of the aircraft, paid at the rates set by the airline.
Weapons are accepted for transport in an unloaded state if accompanied by:
- A license or permit, as specified in section 77 of the "Rules for the Circulation of Civilian and Service Weapons and Ammunition in the Russian Federation," approved by Russian Government Resolution No. 814 of July 21, 1998;
- A certified copy of the permit to store and use weapons, which may include an inventory list if required. For sports weapons, this also includes an official interregional, national, or international event schedule and an order from the head of a legal entity organizing the transport of weapons and ammunition.
Transport of weapons and ammunition belonging to visa-free transfer passengers who do not cross the state border or transport goods across it should occur without an import/export permit for weapons in or out of the Russian Federation.
Weapons that do not require a license or registration and are stored without a storage permit must be unloaded and transported based on a certificate of conformity issued under section 8 of the "Regulation on Maintaining and Publishing the State Register of Civil and Service Weapons and Ammunition" as per Government Resolution No. 814 of July 21, 1998
Weapons and ammunition that belong to or are used by state paramilitary organizations in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, as well as cold weapons in state paramilitary organizations approved by the resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation dated October 15, 1997, No. 1314, as well as paramilitary and security units of organizations under the jurisdiction of the National Guard troops of the Russian Federation, in the field of arms circulation, private security activities, and departmental security, are accepted for transportation in a disarmed state provided there is a corresponding travel certificate (directive) with a note on the presence of weapons.
Ammunition must be stored separately from weapons.
The caliber of the accepted ammunition must correspond to the caliber specified in the weapon license or the permit for its storage, possession, and use of specific types, models, and designs of weapons.
For transportation as registered luggage, a passenger may carry a maximum of 5 units of firearms and no more than 1000 rounds of ammunition, weighing no more than 5 kg.
Ammunition weighing more than 5 kg is permitted for transport only as dangerous cargo.
It is not allowed to combine the luggage allowance containing weapons and ammunition from multiple passengers into one or several pieces of luggage.
When transporting weapons used by employees of state paramilitary organizations on official business trips, it is permitted to carry weapons beyond the standard allowances, provided there is a travel certificate (directive) indicating the presence of weapons.
The transport of ammunition with explosive or incendiary bullets, cartridges for gas weapons, as well as devices loaded with tear gas or irritants, is prohibited on board civil aviation aircraft.
When transporting convicted individuals and persons in custody, the escort's weapons (in a discharged state) are placed in a locked metal box (container) belonging to the guard after a pre-flight inspection. This box is sealed by the head of the guard and handed over to the security officer of the aviation security service (SAB) with an act for transfer to the aircraft.
Weapons used by employees of special communications organizations, as well as by employees of organizations engaged in the protection of valuables during their transportation, are transported in accordance with general procedures.
After inspecting and verifying the weapon and its documentation, and ensuring that a luggage tag is attached to the weapon, the passenger places the weapon in the manufacturer's special packaging or in a holster, case, or special container. For foreign citizens, the transportation of imported weapons into the territory of the Russian Federation for hunting and participation in sporting events to the location of the relevant event is carried out in locked cases.
Air guns are classified as civilian weapons and are transported according to the procedures established by the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Electroshock devices and spark discharge devices produced domestically are classified as civilian weapons and are transported according to the regulations applicable to other weapons. When transporting electroshock devices, it is necessary to carry a document with technical specifications for verification by representatives of the airport's SAB to ensure that the device's output parameters comply with established state standards of the Russian Federation. The circulation of electroshock devices produced outside Russia is prohibited, and consequently, their transportation is also prohibited.
Weapons and ammunition are considered as one piece and are included in the allowance for free checked luggage. If the fare on the airline ticket belongs to the Smart Light group, the payment will be calculated at the rate for an additional piece of excess luggage.
If the flight route crosses a national border, the issue of transporting weapons on board must be arranged in advance by the passenger with the relevant authorized bodies of the interested states to comply with the laws and regulations in those states. The passenger must have permission from the competent authorities of that state to enter the country with weapons.
Requirements for packaging weapons:
- all weapons must be unloaded;
- weapons must be properly packaged to prevent damage during transport and loading.
Weapon packaging requirements
Requirements for packaging weapons:
- all weapons must be unloaded;
- weapons must be properly packaged to prevent damage during transport and loading.
Requirements for packaging ammunition:
Ammunition must be packaged separately from firearms.
Passengers are prohibited from carrying the following items during the flight:
- firearms, gas weapons, and ammunition for them;
- cold weapons of all types;
- sharp and cutting objects.
Passengers who have agreed to transport weapons and ammunition must arrive at the airport for check-in no later than 2 hours before departure.
According to paragraph 13 of the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated August 16, 2021, No. 275 "On Approval of Federal Aviation Regulations "On the Air Transportation of Weapons and Ammunition" the transportation of combat hand firearms and ammunition for them without their transfer for placement during the flight in an isolated compartment of the aircraft is permitted for:
- Employees and/or military personnel of the State Courier Service of the Russian Federation;
- Intergovernmental courier service personnel accompanying correspondence;
- Employees of the Federal Protective Service of the Russian Federation, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, the National Guard troops of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, who are escorting state-protected facilities and ensuring the safety of individuals subject to state protection.
The aforementioned employees and/or military personnel must have a travel certificate with a note indicating the presence of combat hand firearms, ammunition for them, special means, and a seal reproducing the State Emblem of the Russian Federation. Employees of the Intergovernmental Courier Service must have a travel certificate with a note indicating the presence of combat hand firearms, ammunition for them, special means, and a state seal of the courier service that issued the certificate. The travel certificate must also contain a record of the purpose of the trip—escort and provision of state protection (state security) and safety for individuals or escorting correspondence in accordance with requirements.
It is prohibited to transport on board the aircraft in checked luggage and in items with passengers:
- Pistols, revolvers, rifles, carbines, and other firearms, gas weapons, pneumatic weapons, electric shock devices, daggers, stilettos, parachute bayonets, except in cases and in accordance with procedures established by the legislation of the Russian Federation;
- Compact personal mobility devices powered by lithium batteries.
Payment for the transportation of weapons and ammunition is made only at check-in at the airport.