Airsoft Parts in Carry-On Luggage – My Experience with Airport Security (Spain to UK)

[Asomodai]

Just wanted to share my experience flying from Spain (Malaga) to the UK with internal airsoft parts in my carry-on luggage, in case it helps anyone considering the same. This could probably help in some other EU countries as well. 
 

Background:

I only considered doing this because I had pre-purchased parts from Finland and Italy to arrive at my address in Spain.
Nearly everything was RetroArms parts at significant discounts — hard to come by and expensive to replace. The only non-RetroArms item was the LCT AK magwell spacers.
I was trying to avoid shipping them separately or risking them in checked baggage due to time and coordination issues.
 

Previous Experience:

On a past trip, I had tried to take an airsoft pistol magazine in carry-on. In hindsight I couldn't believe I even tried this, I should have known better. It was flagged immediately and security said I’d have to either check it in the hold (too late) or have it confiscated. I chose the latter.

Lesson learned: magazines are a definite no in hand luggage.
 

This Time:

I packed the following internal-only parts in my carry-on:

2 gearboxes

2 motor cages

2 spring guides

1 cylinder

1 cylinder head

LCT AK magwell spacers
 

Nothing was externally gun-shaped or capable of functioning on its own. All were purely internal upgrade components.

 

I also brought:
 

Paperwork detailing what the items were, receipts and why I had them. In both Spanish and English.

My best attempt at staying calm and cooperative despite being rushed (I woke up an hour before the flight and was rushing like hell to get to the airport, don't do that!)
 

What Happened:

• After going through the scanner, my bag was immediately pulled aside.
• Security flagged the contents as “weapon-like in nature.”
• I explained and handed over the documentation.
• A police officer was called. Thankfully, he knew what airsoft was and confirmed the parts were internal-only and not part of a replica.
• He still went to check with his superior, since it was a fairly large quantity.
• The superior gave the green light, but warned me not to do it again, emphasizing that other officers could have refused it entirely.

 

I ended up having to sprint through the airport and barely made my flight. It was a close call as I had 7 minutes to run from Security, through Passport control and to the gate at the furthest end of B Terminal!

 

Key Point:

Even if what you’re carrying is legal, that does not mean you have the right to bring it in carry-on.

Airport security and airline staff have full discretion to confiscate or deny boarding over any item they find suspicious, even if it’s not prohibited by law.

 

Final Thoughts:

I got through this time because I had paperwork, remained polite, and the police officer was informed.

But it could have easily gone the other way.
 

TL;DR:

Only tried this because I had pre-bought RetroArms parts at a discount, shipped to Spain from Finland and Italy.

Packed all internal parts: no replica externals, no magazines.

Bag was pulled aside, police were called, and I was let through after a warning.

Legal doesn’t mean allowed — security can refuse anything.

Wouldn’t try it again — too stressful and risky.

If you do intend to try this. Please make sure you heed the above!

Edited Wednesday at 21:18 by Asomodai

[TheFull9]

I'd be interested in a further explanation of why you didn't put them in your checked/hold bag? I'm not a frequent flyer or anything, probably only done about 20 return trips in my adult life, but I've brought alllll sorts back from the US in my hold bag, zero issue or fuss. Little bottle openers that look like rounds, bladed tools, all sorts of little gun/tactical paraphernalia that's obviously legal in both countries and legal to put on the plane, just with a high potential of raising eyebrows at airports. But on the flip side I've forgotten to empty my water bottle that was in my carry-on backpack or take out a tablet (electronic) a couple of times over the years and been swiftly pulled aside and had to go back around to the start of the queue going through security.

[Herrgh]

2 hours ago, TheFull9 said:

I'd be interested in a further explanation of why you didn't put them in your checked/hold bag?

 

I'm also interested in this, but it may be that @Asomodai's plane ticket was of the "Economy Lite" variety that doesn't allow for checked hold luggage. (Tangent: I blame COVID for these types of fares seemingly now being so widespread.)

 

In any case, thanks for sharing OP. Airport security is one of those great anxieties mysteries one thinks about a lot once one has been pulled aside and interrogated for the first time (not a fan of transiting Hong Kong now for this very reason), so putting your experience down on the record for others to ingest is very much appreciated.

[Federico]

I had the similar experience flying to Italy.

 

I was carring a semi assembed AK gearbox in my backpack and was seized in UK by the security , a lot of questions, almost lost the plane and collected 

at the return in UK.

 

I was carring a AEG inner barrel in my hand suitcase coming to UK. Again was seized at the security check and lost it.

 

On the other hand, when I went to Japan, I bought PTW M4 parts,  a RIS and a Tokyo Marui revolver , fitted in the checked luggage and i did not have any problems. 

 

 

[Asomodai]

5 hours ago, TheFull9 said:

I'd be interested in a further explanation of why you didn't put them in your checked/hold bag? I'm not a frequent flyer or anything, probably only done about 20 return trips in my adult life, but I've brought alllll sorts back from the US in my hold bag, zero issue or fuss. Little bottle openers that look like rounds, bladed tools, all sorts of little gun/tactical paraphernalia that's obviously legal in both countries and legal to put on the plane, just with a high potential of raising eyebrows at airports. But on the flip side I've forgotten to empty my water bottle that was in my carry-on backpack or take out a tablet (electronic) a couple of times over the years and been swiftly pulled aside and had to go back around to the start of the queue going through security.

I get to visit Spain every month for 6 days and have storage there for clothes etc, so I only ever need to take a small backpack with me on flights. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Asomodai