Dates - 

Day 1 location

Day 2 Location

Day 3 location

Jan 5th - Match Pre-Registration - Decision to attend and notify the Match Director

Jan 20th - Flights booked

Feb 1st - Ammunition ordered/arrangements competed

March 1st - Submittal of your firearms Permit (8 weeks before match)

April 1st - Hotels and Car Rental Booked

Pre-Registration - To save a seat in the match before registration opens send an email to Runar Jonsson (runar@precisionrifleseries.com) letting him know you plan to attend.  This will ensure your match spot is marked.

 

Official match registration happens on Shoot-n-scoreit.  This is Europe's version of Practicscore and is also free. Once you have created an account, email Runar your username/email used for the account and he will get you added to the match.  Do not Pay for the match on Shoot-n-scoreit.  Runar will send you an alternate way to pay your match fee.

 

Match Fee - Runar will send banking details where you'll need to wire money.  A money wire is easily completed with online banking. This is common in Europe.

Destination - Oslo, Norway.

Most visitors arrive at Gardermoen airport outside Oslo and rent a car.  Driving from Oslo to Stavanger (check in and 1st day match) is about an 8 hour drive.  Some shooters would rather fly from Oslo to Stavanger, rent a car one way, and fly out of Oslo. Doing this is an open ended car rental (not returning the car the place you rented it from) and can be very expensive in Norway.  For this reason we found it best to land in Oslo and drive from there.  If you have ordered factory ammunition, plan your driving trip to pick it up as well.

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Iceland Air has the easiest and most cost effective flights to and from Oslo, Norway.  Flying from the US to Iceland, where you'll pass through the European Union border control, then on to Oslo, has proven easy.  Iceland Air will fly your rifle for $60ish and their process at your layover in Iceland is similar to any other layover.  You will not need to collect your baggage and re-enter security like other port-of-entry airports.  The down side to Iceland air is they do not work with any other airline companies to get you from another US city to thier connecting flights.  You must book these separately or drive to one of their hubs to get on their flights.  Here is a map of Iceland aiR's network and routes.

 

If you are flying with another company we recommend to layover in Iceland, Denmark or Frankfurt, Germany, if possible.  If you are booking a flight with any other layovers, we recommend checking with Runar if the airport is an easy place to transfer planes with a firearm.  When booking through other companies double check the connecting flight airline allows firearms and what their rules are. You may fly from the US on a United Airlines flight, and then transfer to Scandinavian Air or Air France in Europe. Be sure to check the connecting airline's firearm rules to determine if you'll need to provide notification ahead of the flight that you will have a firearm or if you ammunition is required to packed a certain way.

Avoid England (London-Heathrow), Netherlands (Amsterdam-Schiphol) or France (Paris-Charles de Gaulle) because import permits for their countries are needed when you pass through EU customs just to change flights on a layover.

The Viking Trail is a 3 day match with 350 match round count. We recommend 380 to 400 rounds for zero checks, data validation and the match. The maximum weight of ammunition that most airlines allow to fly with is 11lb per person.  400 rounds of ammunition is heavier than 11lbs.  You will need to have ammunition shipped to a contact in Norway, buy, or pickup ammunition once you are in the country.

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More details are coming about where, when, and how to order ammunition.  6 Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor or 308 Winchester are the current available options.

US Border and Customs requirements

US for 4457 <-- Link - See here for information about the US documentation required

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Norway Applications and requirements

https://www.politiet.no/tjenester/vapen/reise-til-norge-med-vapen/

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Firearms Permit Application must be submitted 2 months (8 Weeks) before entering the country.

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To enter Norway you will need to apply for a Temporary Import License.   Below is a list of the documentation you will need to submit your application.  This form and information is submitted to a Norwegian police department.  Your Match director will need to provide you with the email address.

In 2024 we used post.agder@politiet.no.

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Here is an example of the Application I sent. Ted Hoeger 

 

1. Valid firearms licenses from your country

   1. Permit to carry or

   2. Sheriff letter stating you can legally own a firearm and are in good standing with your local law enforcement.

      1. Here is a template for the Police letter ← link to document
         (Don't print this and ask the Police to sign it, present this as a template for them to place on their letterhead. They may need to create their own for department requirements.) 

2. Valid proof of Identification - Photo of your passport

3. Documentation verifying why you are traveling to Norway with a firearm, such as an invitation to take part in a competition or documentation that you have access to hunting grounds in Norway

   1. A match invitation provided by the Match Director.  

4. Applications for the temporary import of a firearm if you do not have a valid European Firearms Pass. 

   1. License Application ← link to application form

   2. This application must be sent to the police district  2 months before arriving in Norway.

   3. Fee. The approval department will ask for an application fee to be transferred to their bank. See below for the process.

 

Approval & Payment Process

After sending you application the police will review your applications and email you the results.  My application was approved in 24 hours, although I am not sure if this is normal. In the results email, the police will ask for the application fee to be paid and will provide the bank details to send the funds. They will also ask for a receipt of this bank transaction to finalize your application. Through online banking I was able to send this wire transfer.  Afterward, I emailed a receipt of the transfer back to the police and a day later they sent a final email with the approved application.  A hard copy will also be sent in the mail.  Print several copies of this approved permit and all the documents you submitted.  Then place these documents in every bag, case and duffel you will travel with.

Once you land in Oslo, retrieve the firearm from the oversized baggage area. You will the need to declare the weapon to their customs and border control. At the airport, before exiting the baggage area, you will need to contact the customs authorities and present the weapon and the license (permit). At entry points where red and green zones have been introduced, you must enter the red zone.
Map of Oslo Airport Arrival Terminal ← link

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Once you are in Norway with a firearm, it is very simple to travel with it.  Most shooters treat it like you would in the US.  The minimum requirement for traveling in a car is the firearm must be covered and out of sight.  A case is not required but we recommend it is in a case.  If you must leave the firearm unattended in the car it must be in a locked case or you must take the bolt with you to render it inoperable. We toted it in and out of the hotels when needed.

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Laws and Regulations on Weapons ← link
Please review the “How to Store Firearms and Ammunition” on this page.  This will give you good direction about how to transport a firearm and what you need to do if you must leave it unattended.

As a standard, firearms are not allowed on trains or boats.  If you plan to ride a train or boat you will need to get permission from them (similar to airlines) to take your firearm.

Portion of Norway laws for firearm transport.
Chapter 6. Storage, transport and dispatch of firearms, weapon parts and ammunition
§ 6-7. Requirements for the transport and dispatch of firearms and ammunition
Anyone who transports a firearm in a public place cannot carry the firearm in a holster or similar, which is attached to the body in such a way that it gives quick access to the firearm.
Anyone who transports firearms or ammunition pursuant to Section 20 of the Arms Act in a motor vehicle must have firearms and ammunition under proper supervision. Firearms or ammunition transported in a motor vehicle may still be left without proper supervision when the firearm and ammunition are packed and concealed and the motor vehicle is locked, or when a vital part of the firearm is removed.

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