Traveling through Newark

[TxHunter55]

I have a trip coming up and will be traveling w/ my bow. Leaving form Texas to South Africa. We are going through Newark. I was wondering what to expect on the way back. Will I have to recheck bow or have it checked on the way back through. If so, anyone know what that process looks like and how long it may take, Thanks.

 

[Mountaineer]

I was through Newark last summer. I’m a rifle hunter, but I seen people getting their bows and going through customs. They were giving them out at the far end of the room past the luggage. I would expect it to take a couple hours at least.

 

[slam8031]

Everything is collected from international flights after clearing customs lines, with the rifles and bows at the far right of the area where the luggage carousels are located, and then they x ray luggage and check weapons before proceeding through to your flight. As mountaineer said, it is not necessarily quick--and unlike ATL, your weapons are out in the open to be checked. I am not sure how they checked bows, but if I remember correctly, they didn't go through the same process as the rifle hunters, and proceeded directly to the x ray/luggage area.

 

[Dee S]

It's odd to me how the process differs from airport to airport. Chicago just ran them through the x-ray machine. Atlanta had me walk to the Customs section where they opened it and once they were done, I had to take it to have it checked back in for the last leg to Houston and then she opened it. She wasn't a hundred yards from the first guy. Then on our trips from Doha on Qatar back into Houston, non-stop, I keep expecting to go to Customs, but nope, you just go retrieve the bow cases from the oversize luggage area without having to check in with anyone, just grab them and go.
And Atlanta is known for spraying down all of your arrows, heads, and boots. They didn't do mine, but the guy right behind me had to as I was walking away. I guess since my arrows, heads, and boots were in my checked luggage, he didn't want to fool with having me empty the entire bag, so he sent me on my way. HIs were packed in his bow case.
Good luck with your trip and I am anxious to hear what you have to go through. Keep us posted.

 

[TheGrayRider]

Good luck with the Newark, New Jersey airport… Last year, when I traveled back through that airport, at least this other traveler “politely” finished his straight bottle of whiskey in a brown paper bag around 7 am on the train shuttle before he entered the main terminal to check in for his flight. What a dump!

 

[R.M.C.]

Good luck with the Newark, New Jersey airport… Last year, when I traveled back through that airport, at least this other traveler “politely” finished his straight bottle of whiskey in a brown paper bag around 7 am on the train shuttle before he entered the main terminal to check in for his flight. What a dump!

Place is a shit hole for sure lol . I gotta fly out of there in July, can't wait lol

 

[K-man]

My first (and last) trip through Newark was with a firearm last year. I was detained and "interviewed" for over an hour as to why I had a firearm as checked baggage, who I was, where I was going, etc. And with a connecting flight!!! on top of all that, they NEVER EVEN OPENED MY BAG OR CHECKED THE SERIAL NUMBERS!! (and I have Global Entry) What a POS customs/staff.

 

[Fred Gunner]

All luggage must be cleared through customs on any and all international flights without exception.
Nothing is "Checked Through" That said only random bags are actually opened for physical inspection. If your bow is in an airline approved bow case I doubt it will receive a physical hands on inspection. All Firearms are checked and customs form 4457 must be matched.

 

[MMAL]

I just returned from South Africa on sat 5/21. My bag came out in the carousel and the gun case was already at the far right of custom inspectors. I waited 5 mins and was called up to get my cases and to officer. Took 5 mins to check 4457 and number on gun and I was relocated up and sent on my way. I did not have to recheck the bag as this was my final destination but it was as easy I have seen flying back to the states. That includes Dulles, jfk and Newark. Checking in guns at Newark is not a problem in the multipack times I have done it. The only difference is they call tsa to come to the check in and you walk with them to security. They take the bag and the keys into a secure room, check it and return keys. Not normal but have never had an issue in 10+ times. Not sure about bow.

 

[Dee S]

All luggage must be cleared through customs on any and all international flights without exception.
Nothing is "Checked Through" That said only random bags are actually opened for physical inspection. If your bow is in an airline approved bow case I doubt it will receive a physical hands on inspection. All Firearms are checked and customs form 4457 must be matched.

Just curious, and not to start an argument, but to learn. If my SKB bow cases are coming out in Houston at the oversize luggage area, are they being x-rayed first? I've never been to a Customs section in Houston upon return. As a passenger returning from overseas, yes, I have to go through that line, but once I'm cleared, I head straight to the carousel for my checked bag, then head over to the oversize bag area and grab my bow case, which at that point is usually just sitting there all by it's lonesome, then exit the building.

 

[slam8031]

They are x raying baggage that is continuing on to another flight, not items leaving the airport. If you were going thru atlanta, they would probably inspect your archery gear As they do firearms before allowing you to leave.

 

[Philip Glass]

My first (and last) trip through Newark was with a firearm last year. I was detained and "interviewed" for over an hour as to why I had a firearm as checked baggage, who I was, where I was going, etc. And with a connecting flight!!! on top of all that, they NEVER EVEN OPENED MY BAG OR CHECKED THE SERIAL NUMBERS!! (and I have Global Entry) What a POS customs/staff.

This is good to know, not that I was ever going through EWR anyway!

 

[gillettehunter]

Went through Newark today. At passport control I was asked if I had a firearm. She then kept my passport and called for any other hunters in her line to step forward. Then led us as a group to get our other bags. Firearms were pulled and taken there as a group. They called us by name to come show rifles and 4457’s. Then an airline official took us out to recheck regular luggage and then hauled the firearms to Be checked by TSA. Then your free to go catch your next flight. You have to clear security again so that’s a PITA.
Bows don’t need the TSA inspection. Also not usually inspected by customs.
Bruce

 

[C.W. Richter]

It's not even a firearm. It's like a set of golf clubs to them. No big deal. I'd keep the arrows and broadheads separate in another case. And locked.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Even though they may look like a muzzleloader it's not a firearm.