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Unfortunately, we have seen a flurry of incidents where pilots and/or passengers on international flights to different countries have wound up getting into a lot of trouble by taking firearms, ammunition or prescription drugs in unmarked containers on international flights.

In many countries, just having ammunition, not even having the firearm, can result in a jail sentence. We saw a US professional pilot face a 6-year jail sentence for just having ammunition in his suitcase. So, please, please, please, make sure that under no circumstances you take firearms and/or ammunition out of the USA on your aircraft unless you have secured the necessary permissions from the foreign country AS WELL AS CBP in the USA for your return. Bringing a firearm back into the USA is a delicate topic and you need to be sure to have filed the necessary paperwork BEFORE you leave the USA, and you discuss with your planned port of entry on your return if they will be able to accommodate you. Not only are there federal laws to comply with but also local laws for the city/state where the port of entry is located.

Another topic that can get you into trouble is transporting controlled substances without their corresponding prescription. You may be challenged as to why you have those substances in your possession.

Remember, we have to comply with the laws of the foreign countries we fly to as well as our own laws when we return. Regrettably, we have seen some heartbreaking and tragic cases, we do not want to see any of those again. So, query your passengers and make sure that they have not overlooked anything that could get them, and you, into serious trouble.