Shotgun World Shoot - Greece 2026

Today, August 27th, I have 32 days until we start the competition in Greece, for IPSC Shotgun World Shoot V. This will be my 4th shotgun world shoot, representing the USA and my 13th international match. Here's what I want to share with the rest of Team USA headed to Greece:

Paperwork

Now is the time to get your paperwork organized. All these copies seem ridiculous, until you're waiting to board a connection in a foreign country as someone has to go to a back office to photocopy your passport while everyone else is boarding the light...then the time spent doing this seems genius!

• Match invitation:

  • 2 copies or airlines (departure and return, and a set for any connecting flights between)

  • a copy for each checked bag

  • 1 in case you need to give it to the match or anyone in Greece (police at airport, etc.)

    
    

• Passport: make sure you know where yours is and make copies:

  • 2 copies or airlines (departure and return, and a set for any connecting flights between)

  • copy for family at home

  • 1-2 in case you need to give it to the match or anyone in Greece (police at airport, etc.)

  • copy to give travel companion

    
    

• 4457 - US Customs and Boarder Patrol form with your shotguns listed on it

  • a copy for each checked bag

  • 2 copies or airlines (departure and return, and a set for any connecting flights between)

    
    

• Greek Permit : translate and check serial numbers, dates of arrival and departure.

  • Print copies ( 5-7 )

    • 2 for airlines (departure and return, and a set for any connecting flights between)

    • 1 for each checked bag ( one in gun bag, one in gear bag with ammo you bring)

    • 1 in case you need to give it to the match or anyone in Greece (police at airport, etc.)

    • copy for family at home

    • copy to give travel companion

      
      

• Travel Insurance:

  • Print a copy of your policy ( confirmation of coverage and summary of benefits)

  • Car rental agency might require proof of insurance, if you don't take theirs. If it's on your credit card or travel insurance, get a physical copy of that coverage info so you are not trying to do it on the spot.

• Flight info:

  • print your ticket / receipt / payment for bags

How to Organize this paperwork

• Get clear plastic sleeves and put each set of paperwork into a sleeve so you can hand them to:

  • the airline agent at check in (departure and return and any connecting flights)

  • checked bags

  • copy for any potential needs: police / customs in Greece

  • Originals sleeve that stays with you

  • copies to go with travel companion

  • sleeve or folder to leave at home

Phone Calls

You need to call your airline(s) and request permission or each leg of the trip / each airline.

I they tell you that you don't need this (eg. Delta or United), reiterate that you are travelling with sporting firearms to another country and this is required for international trips - this is not a CONUS trip. (In 2015, American Airlines refused someone because this was not done as they tried to leave for shotgun world shoot in France.)

Here's a script:

"I’m calling because we’re flying to a world championship with your airline. It is a sporting competition and we’re traveling with sporting firearms.

For international flights I know that we need to get permission from the airline for both the departure and return trips. So I’m calling to make sure that it is on my reservation, that the airline gives me permission to travel with the firearms, both to and from Greece. And that the airline knows I have firearms for every leg of my travel.

I would like you to make a note in the SSR notes on my reservation (the special service request notes), in addition to whatever else you have to put in your system to give me permission." (If it’s an American brand airline and you’re starting in the US, they might try to tell you you don’t need permission… Insist that they put the info about the firearms in the SSR notes or ask them to ask a supervisor, because you've heard of people being refused on their travel day for not having permission.)

"Additionally, can you either email or tell me how I can get confirmation that I have completed the steps so that I do not have any troubles on the day I travel?” ( some airlines, China, Airlines, and Finnair) will actually send you an email. But that’s the only ones I’ve ever gotten something from.)

Next big part is paying for the guns: If you have already paid to check two bags per person, ask if they are going to apply that bag charge to the guns or if there is a separate charge for the guns. (again, because this is a US airline, they might not do this… International airline tend to always do this, and it gets a little convoluted about what you have or haven’t paid for. The second bag fee if you’re checking two bags should be applied to the gun or if they want you to pay for the guns at that point, that can also be something they issue you a receipt on so that you have confirmation that you have not only asked for permission for the guns, but you even paid for a bag for them!)

I would also check back about a week out and just double check that is on your reservation. (usually they have to get back to you within 72 hrs.)

If I've never flown with that airline before, I do this again driving to the airport or the day before I leave

Steps to take in case you have problems:

• Copy your documents to an email or folder online, in case you lost things during travel

• Give a set of travel paperwork to your travel companion and put it in their carry on and do the same for them.

• Leave a set of paperwork and travel insurance info at home with family

  • passport copy, travel insurance, flight info, permits, where you're staying, etc.