Taking my Vintage Air Rifles to the USA, advice requested?

[Goldenkey2025]

Hi Fellow AirgunBBS Enthusiasts!
Growing up in Oxfordshire, I owned a Webley Vulcan Mk2, and a Weihrauch HW80 since the 70Â’s!
Many years of pleasure shooting and hunting in the gardens and fields around my family home.
Later teaching my boys to shoot with them too.
I emigrated to the USA 20 years ago, leaving my guns behind, but they are still at my parents.
Will be back in the UK this summer, and planning to bring them back to the USA with me.

My research says:
1/ Uk has no restrictions on exporting an Air Rifle, as itÂ’s not considered a firearm.
2/ USA has no restrictions on importing an Air Rifle, as ATF also do not consider it a firearm.
3/ Virgin Atlantic website says they must be in a locked TSA approved hard case to go as checked baggage in the hold. Unloaded, ammo separate, and they charge £65 for such items, and you must give 72hrs notice etc.

Planned to disassemble the two, by removing the barrels, as much to save length/space as well as prove they are not functional. As they are spring powered, the rules about air tanks and storage donÂ’t apply.

Did see a comment about “Proof of ownership” being requiredÂj… obviously at this point I donÂ’t have that.. Maybe some vintage pics of me, and my airguns from the 70s would suffice!Ding have a case yet, and need to buy something either here or in the UK when I get back.


Any advice, knowledge, experiences to share/help me navigate this plan?