How to bring your rifle to Latvia – step by step

If you’re planning hunting in Latvia and you love using your own rifle, the big question is: how do you actually bring your rifle to Latvia legally and safely?

The good news: it’s absolutely possible. Latvia has clear rules for foreign hunters, and thousands of people do this every year. The key is to prepare your documents in advance and follow a few simple steps.

This guide walks you through how to bring your rifle to Latvia – step by step, from paperwork at home to arriving at Riga Airport and going out to the hunting ground.

⚠️ Important: firearm and travel regulations can change. Always double-check details with your outfitter and the official Latvian authorities (State Forest Service, State Police, Latvian embassy/consulate) before you travel.

1. Make sure you’re allowed to hunt and own a rifle

To bring your rifle to Latvia, you must first be legal at home.

You will need:

• A valid hunting licence in your home country
• A firearms licence/permit for the rifle you want to bring
• The rifle must be legally registered in your name (or as your property)

Latvian rules also say foreigners may hunt in Latvia after receiving a Latvian hunting permit, and they can get this without taking an exam if they already have a valid hunting licence from their own country. The permit is issued by the State Forest Service (Valsts meža dienests).

2. Understand EU vs non-EU rules

How you bring your rifle to Latvia depends a lot on where you live.

If you are from an EU / EEA country

• Latvia follows the EU Firearms Directive, which sets common rules for owning and transporting firearms within the EU.Migration and Home Affairs
• Most EU hunters will have a European Firearms Pass (EFP). This is your main document for travelling with your rifle between EU countries.
• You will still usually need:
  • Invitation/contract from your Latvian hunting organiser
  • Proof of your Latvian hunting permit (or application in progress)
  • Sometimes prior notification or permission, depending on your route and airline

Your outfitter in Latvia should clearly tell you what copies they need (passport, EFP, hunting licence, rifle details, dates).

If you are from outside the EU

Non-EU hunters usually need a temporary import permit issued by the Latvian State Police under the Law on the Circulation of Weapons.

This is normally arranged through your hunting organiser in Latvia. They’ll tell you what they need from you, but typically it includes:

• Passport copy
• Copy of your national hunting licence
• Proof that the rifle is legally owned/registered by you
• Exact details of the firearm (make, model, calibre, serial number)
• Travel dates and where you’ll be hunting

Once approved, the permit allows you to bring your rifle into Latvia for hunting during your stay.

3. Collect your documents

To bring your rifle to Latvia, expect to need most or all of the following:

• Passport (valid for the entire trip)
• Hunting licence from your country
• Latvian hunting permit (or application, arranged via State Forest Service)mfa.gov.lv+1
• Firearms licence from your home country
• Proof of rifle registration (or ownership)
• European Firearms Pass (for EU hunters)
• Temporary import permit issued by Latvian State Police (usually via your organiser)BWC Implementation+1
• Invitation/contract from your Latvian hunting organiser
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended – some outfitters require it)

Send scans of all documents to your Latvian organiser well before your trip so they can check if anything is missing.

4. Book flights and check airline gun rules

Each airline has its own rules for transporting firearms, but most follow similar standards:

• Rifle must be unloaded
• Stored in a rigid, lockable gun case
• Ammunition in original or dedicated ammo boxes, in a separate locked container inside your checked baggage
• Maximum ammo quantity (often around 5 kg per passenger – but check your airline)
• You must declare your firearm and ammo at check-in in advance, not at the gate

Before you book:

1. Check your airline’s website for “firearms”, “sporting weapons” or “hunting rifles” policy.
2. If unclear, call the airline and ask them to confirm:
   • If they allow firearms on your route
   • How to book the firearm (some require pre-approval)
   • Extra fees, if any

On the day of travel, arrive at the airport earlier than usual to allow extra time for check-in and security checks.

5. At the airport: departure and transit

At your departure airport:

1. Go to check-in, tell staff that you are travelling with a firearm.
2. Fill out any airline or airport firearm form.
3. Show your documents (passport, firearms licence, EFP or permit).
4. Your rifle case and ammo will usually go to a special handling area after inspection.

If you have transit in another country:

• Check if the transit country has any special rules.
• Sometimes you can transit without extra permits if the firearm stays in the baggage system and you don’t enter the country.
• If you change airlines or have to re-check baggage, you may need to pass border control and re-declare the firearm.

Your organiser can often advise you on the best route (for example, direct flights to Riga when possible).

6. Arrival in Latvia: customs and control

When you land in Latvia (usually Riga Airport):

1. Follow baggage claim instructions for firearms (sometimes you collect the rifle at a special counter).
2. Go through the red channel or follow instructions for declaring firearms.
3. Show:
   • Passport
   • European Firearms Pass (if you have it)
   • Temporary import permit / documents from Latvian State Police
   • Hunting licence and Latvian hunting permit

Officials may check that the rifle, serial number, ammo quantity and documents all match.

Keep all paperwork with you, not in checked baggage.

7. During your stay: storage and transport in Latvia

Once you’re in Latvia, your rifle must be handled according to Latvian weapon laws and hunting rules.BWC Implementation+2Valsts valodas centrs+2

Basic principles:

• Always unloaded when transported outside the hunting area
• In a case or cover when moving in a vehicle or through public places
• Ammo stored separately from the rifle
• At the accommodation, the rifle should be stored locked and out of reach of unauthorised persons
• Only load your rifle at the hunting ground, when the hunt leader tells you it is safe to do so
• Follow all instructions from your Latvian hunt leader about where and when you may carry and load the rifle

Your organiser should brief you on local safety rules before the first hunting day.

8. Leaving Latvia with your rifle

When your hunt is over and you fly home:

1. Pack your rifle and ammo the same way as on your outbound flight.
2. Bring the same documents you used on arrival.
3. Declare the firearm again at check-in and follow staff instructions.

Keep in mind any rules about trophies and meat – these may have separate veterinary or customs regulations.

Quick checklist – how to bring your rifle to Latvia

Here’s a short recap you can save or send to your hunting buddies:

• ✅ Valid hunting licence in your home country
• ✅ Rifle legally registered + firearms licence
• ✅ Latvian hunting permit (through State Forest Service)
• ✅ For EU hunters: European Firearms Pass
• ✅ For non-EU hunters: temporary import permit from Latvian State Police (usually arranged by your organiser)
• ✅ Invitation / contract from Latvian hunting organiser
• ✅ Airline approves transport of firearms on your route
• ✅ Rifle unloaded in a lockable hard case
• ✅ Ammunition in separate locked container (within airline limits)
• ✅ Enough time at airports for check-in and checks
• ✅ Safe storage and transport in Latvia according to local law