Special baggage

Transporting firearms and ammunition

A "firearm" is any weapon that will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; or the frame or receiver of any such weapon. See firearms list.

Firearms checklist

You may transport firearms as checked baggage only.

You must be 18 years of age or over to transport a firearm.

Firearms must be unloaded and carried in a locked, hard-sided container.

Container must be completely secure so that it does not allow for accidental or unauthorized access.

• Multiple locks may be required on some cases to ensure the firearm/contents in the case is completely inaccessible and cannot be opened.
• Locks that do not completely prevent unauthorized access (e.g. long locks) will not be accepted.
• Only the passenger shall have the key or combination to the lock.
• Passenger may need to supply the key or combination upon request from the TSA when the case is screened.

Container must not hold dangerous goods or prohibited items, such as, but not limited to, loose ammunition, flammable liquids, black powder, primers, or bear spray. You are responsible for knowing and complying with all relevant laws that concern possession of firearms. Those laws vary by local, state, and international governments.

If your journey involves another air carrier, please confirm the firearm acceptance requirements with that air carrier.

If you plan to travel internationally with a firearm in checked baggage, please read the requirements on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website before you travel.

Ammunition checklist

Ammunition is prohibited in carry-on baggage.

You can transport it in checked baggage if it's within weight allotments.

Customers checking in or connecting to Alaska Airlines flights 3300-3499 are limited to 11 lbs. of ammunition.

Ammunition checklist table

Flight numbers	Domestic	International (where permitted)
001-1999	50 lbs.	11 lbs.
2000-2999	50 lbs.	11 lbs.
3300-3499	11 lbs.	11 lbs.

Ammunition must be securely packed in the original manufacturer packaging or in a container designed for ammunition.

• The packaging shall be of sufficient strength to protect the ammunition from accidental crushing or discharge (e.g. wood, fiber, plastic, or metal).
• We will not accept loose ammunition in a box, bucket or manufacturer packaging.

The projectile must be no larger than 11/16" in diameter—the size of a dime.

You may check ammunition with or separately from the firearm.

We'll allow shell casings in checked baggage provided they meet the same acceptance criteria as live ammunition (i.e. packed in a crush-proof container designed for ammunition.)

We may accept ammunition inside a magazine or clip that is enclosed in its own secure casing within the larger crush-proof firearm case.

Firearms baggage allowances

The following items may be included in your normal baggage allowance. Excess charges will apply for additional pieces of baggage. All items must be suitably packaged for transport.

• One rifle case with rifles, scopes, one shooting mat, noise suppressors and small tools, or
• One shotgun case with shotguns, or
• One pistol case with pistols, noise suppressors, one pistol telescope and small pistol tools

There is no limit to the number or type of firearms (e.g. rifles, shotguns, pistols) per case.
Different firearm types may be in the same case as long as each type is properly packed.

Declare firearms at baggage check

You must declare all firearms at the baggage counter when you check your bags.

We'll ask you to read and sign a special tag for each bag/container holding a firearm(s).

• This tag serves as your declaration that each weapon is unloaded.
• The tag also confirms that both weapons and ammunition are properly packaged.

It is your responsibility to obtain all the necessary permits for any firearm checked between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Claiming firearms

You must present photo ID or claim checks at the baggage office to retrieve your shotgun or rifle case/box.

If you are connecting to another carrier with an international destination you must claim your firearm(s) and ammunition at the final Alaska Airlines destination, and then check it directly with the receiving carrier.

If you are connecting to another carrier with a domestic destination you may need to claim your firearm(s) and ammunition at the final Alaska Airlines destination, and then check it directly with the connecting carrier.

International transport

Canada

You cannot transport handguns to or through Canada.

Non-restricted hunting rifles or competition firearms don't require special documentation.

Before you depart the U.S., you must get a declaration issued by U.S. Customs in order to later bring your firearms back into the United States.

We cannot transport rifles, shotguns, and other firearms between the U.S. and Canada without the required documentation.

Please call the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 for more information on traveling with firearms to or from Canada.

Mexico

You cannot transport handguns to or through Mexico.

A consulate-issued permit is required for any firearm transport to Mexico.

Before you depart the U.S., you must get a declaration issued by U.S. Customs in order to later bring your firearms back into the United States.

We cannot transport rifles, shotguns, and other firearms between the U.S. and Mexico without the required documentation.

Please contact the Mexican consulate nearest you for more information on traveling with firearms to or from Mexico.

Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, and Guatemala

Firearms and ammunition are not accepted to or from either location.

Firearms list

Firearms list table

Item	Carry-on	Checked	Special Instructions
Ammunition	No	Yes	Small arms ammunitions must be securely packed in a crush-proof case (e.g. fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging) designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.
BB guns	No	Yes	BB guns carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared at check-in.
Compressed air guns	No	Yes	Including paintball markers, may be carried in checked baggage without compressed air cylinder attached.
Firearms	No	Yes	Firearms carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared at check-in.
Firearm parts	No	Yes	Firearm parts, including magazines, clips, bolts and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-ons, but may be transported in checked bags.
Flare guns	No	No
Gun lighters	No	No
Gun powder	No	No	Including black powder and percussion caps.
Handguns	No	Yes	Handguns carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared at check-in.
Holsters	Yes	Yes
Paintball cylinders	No	Yes	Refillable type cylinders may travel in checked baggage if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder, and the cylinder has an opening to allow for a visual inspection inside.
Pellet guns	No	Yes	Pellet guns carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared at check-in.
Replicas of firearms	No	Yes
Rifle scope only	Yes	Yes
Rifles	No	Yes	Rifles carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared at check-in.
Shell casings	No	Yes	Shells must meet the same acceptance criteria as live ammunition (i.e. packed in a crush-proof container designed for ammunition.)
Shotguns	No	Yes	Shotguns carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared at check-in.
Starter pistol	No	Yes	Starter pistols carried in checked bags must be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided container, and declared at check-in.
Stun guns	No	No
Tasers	No	No