1. Legal information
  2. Carriage of Firearms and Fireworks

Carriage of Firearms and Fireworks

The rules laid down for the carriage of Firearms on Eurotunnel shuttles are in accordance with the guidelines set out in the UK government Home Office Firearm Security Handbook 2005.

This can be viewed at the Home Office website: Home Office website

  1. Firearms are not permitted for carriage on Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, unless accompanied by a valid Firearms or Shotgun Certificate(s) corresponding to the weapon(s) carried.
  2. Firearms must be declared to staff at the Check-in booths, and/or as otherwise directed by signs on the Terminals.
  3. Firearms and shotguns to which this certificate(s) relates must be stored securely at all times so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, access to the guns by unauthorised persons.
  4. It is the responsibility of the certificate holders in each case to ensure that they comply with the conditions of the possession of those firearms.
  5. While carrying firearms in a vehicle on a Eurotunnel Passenger shuttle, the following steps are considered to accord with the duty to ensure the safe custody of the firearms and/or ammunition. 
    (a) Any guns must be contained in the locked boot or other secured load carrying area of the vehicle where practicable. 
    (b) If the vehicle is left unattended for any reason, firearms should be concealed, preferably in the locked luggage compartment and an essential component such as the bolt or forend removed and kept in possession of the responsible person. Any ammunition should be stored separately from the firearm and this too should be concealed from view. The vehicle should be locked, and any immobiliser or alarm should be set if the vehicle is left unattended whilst on the Terminal before boarding. 
    (c) In the case of an estate, hatchback or similar vehicles, the following recommendations should be considered: 
    (i) The responsible person should ensure that the lid or cover of the load carrying area is in place and /or that the guns are so covered or concealed to prevent their identification; 
    (ii) Whenever possible the guns and ammunition should not be stored together. Where the boot or load carrying area is the most practical place, ammunition should be secured in an appropriate container, ideally secured to the vehicle - if practicable; 
    (iii) Wherever practicable, the bolt, magazine or other vital operating part should be separated from the gun and either carried on the person or secured or hidden in the vehicle, or kept in a locked container, ideally secured to the vehicle if practicable; 
    (iv) If firearms are regularly carried in such a vehicle, provision should be made for securing the firearms to the vehicle's structure. E.g. security cases, cage, cable or clamp.
  6. Collections of firearms being transported for display or exhibition should be carried in accordance with the above conditions. Where articles are being transported within display cases, the vehicle should allow those cases to be held within the closed luggage or goods area of the vehicle. Where the vehicle has windows into the load carrying area, the cases should be covered to prevent identification of the contents.
  7. The quantity of ammunition carried must be kept to a minimum.
  8. Any vehicles carrying firearms or ammunition are subject to a security check undertaken by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and in accordance with the Channel Tunnel Security Order 1994. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle reserves the right to refuse travel to any vehicle considered by Eurotunnel Le Shuttle to be carrying firearms or ammunition in such a manner as to present an unacceptable risk to other passengers and staff.

Fireworks

The carriage of fireworks, flares and pyrotechnics on board Eurotunnel's shuttles is prohibited, in accordance with our Governing Body’s Direction.

Wherever possible, customers should be advised in advance of travel that fireworks are not allowed to be transported when travelling with Eurotunnel. Any customer arriving with fireworks must be informed of the regulations and will not be authorised to travel.