Sports equipment and musical instruments
Different regulations and charges apply for the transportation of sports equipment. These depend upon the maximum free baggage allowance that you may take on a flight.
You must request permission for the transportation of a bicycle, golf bag or skiing, surfing or diving equipment by contacting KLM Reservations. Click here to contact us by phone.
Sports equipment weighing in excess of 32 kg can only be transported as cargo. Please contact KLM Cargo for information in this regard on +31 (0)20 6498000.
On this page:
Various kinds of surfing equipment (wind, wave or kite)
Checking in surfing equipment will always involve an additional charge except in the case of certain bodyboards (boogieboards). (Please note: if you are flying on a Fokker 50, you should know that this aircraft cannot transport any kind of surfboard.) Surfing equipment heavier than 32 kg or longer than 290 cm cannot be checked in as baggage. To transport this equipment, you can contact KLM Cargo at +31 (0) 206498000
- Equipment categories:
A set of windsurfing equipment may consist of a board, mast, sail and boom. A set of kitesurfing equipment may consist of a board and a kite bag. Surfboards measuring up to 107 cm (43 inches) in length are considered bodyboards. - Costs:
Transporting surfing equipment subject to the weight concept:
Bodyboards up to 107 cm (43 inches) in length:
For these bodyboards, you do not pay for excess baggage unless the total weight of your baggage exceeds the maximum free baggage allowance. If it exceeds this weight, you will be charged a small standard excess baggage rate to take your bodyboard along. This applies to one bodyboard weighing up to 20 kg. For these rates, please refer to the sports equipment table. For every kg over 20 kg that your bodyboard weighs (or for additional bodyboards), the standard excess baggage rate will apply.
All other kinds of surfing equipment:
For other kinds of surfing equipment, you will always be charged an additional fee but we offer a special standard rate for a single set of equipment up to 20 kg. For these rates, please refer to the sports equipment table. For every kg over 20 kg that your set of surfing equipment weighs, or for additional sets of surfing equipment, the standard excess baggage rate will apply.
Transporting surfing equipment subject to the piece concept:
Bodyboards up to 107 cm (43 inches) long:
A bodyboard up to this length is considered a standard piece of baggage with a total measurement (length + width + height) of 158 cm. You will not be charged for excess baggage unless the total weight of your baggage exceeds the maximum free baggage allowance. If so, the standard excess baggage rate will apply.
Other kinds of surfing equipment:
Any other kind of surfing equipment is considered a piece of excess baggage. In this case, the standard excess baggage rate always applies
Bicycles
A charge will always apply for the transportation of bicycles.
• Packing:
Bicycles should be packed in a container or box with the handlebars turned parallel to the frame, the pedals and any protruding parts removed, and the tire pressure reduced. Special boxes (177 x 23 x 102 cm) for transporting bicycles are supplied by KLM at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at a cost of € 20 each.
• Charges:
Regulations for bicycles according to the weight concept:
A charge always applies to the transportation of bicycles, but we offer a special fixed rate for bicycles weighing no more than 20 kg. This rate can be found in the sports equipment table. The standard excess baggage rate shall apply for each kilogram that your bicycle is in excess of 20 kg.
Regulations for bicycles according to the piece concept:
One bicycle is regarded as one piece of excess baggage. The standard excess baggage rate shall apply to this piece of baggage.
• Restrictions:
Tandem bicycles cannot be accepted as baggage. For information on the transportation of tandem bicycles please contact KLM Cargo on +31 (0)20 6498000.
Diving equipment
Your diving equipment is subject to the standard baggage regulations. This means that if the total amount of your baggage exceeds the maximum free baggage allowance, excess baggage costs shall apply.
• Equipment:
One set of equipment may include a wet suit, vest, socks, mask, shoes, flippers, knife, empty aircylinder and regulator. The cylinders must be empty and the valve must be open or removed. Diving lamps may be transported as hand baggage only. In this case, the bulb and batteries must be removed.
• Charges:
Regulations for diving equipment according to the weight concept:
If your baggage and diving equipment together weigh in excess of 20 kg, a low, fixed excess baggage rate shall apply to your diving equipment. This fixed rate is, however, subject to the condition that your diving equipment alone does not weigh more than 20 kg. The rates can be found in the sports equipment table. The standard excess baggage rate shall also apply for each kilogram that your equipment weighs in excess of 20 kg.
Regulations for diving equipment according to the piece concept:
One set of diving equipment is regarded as one piece of baggage. If you check in more than two pieces, the standard excess baggage rate shall apply.
Golf bags
Your golf bag is subject to the standard baggage regulations. This means that if the total amount of your baggage exceeds the maximum free baggage allowance, excess baggage costs shall apply.
• Equipment:
One set of golf equipment may include a golf bag with clubs and a pair of golf shoes.
• Charges:
Regulations for golf bags according to the weight concept:
If your baggage and golf bag together weigh in excess of 20 kg, a low, fixed excess baggage rate shall apply to your golf bag. This shall apply to golf bags weighing no more than 20 kg. The rates can be found in the sports equipment table. The standard excess baggage rate shall also apply for each kilogram that your golf bag weighs in excess of 20 kg.
Regulations for golf bags according to the piece concept:
One golf bag is regarded as one piece of baggage. If you wish to take a golf bag in addition to your maximum free baggage allowance, you can take advantage of our special, low rate. These rates can be found in the sports equipment table. The standard excess baggage rate shall apply for extra golf bags.
Kayaks and canoes
This type of sports equipment can only be transported as cargo. For information on the shipment of kayaks and canoes, please contact KLM Cargo on +31 (0)20 6498000. Paddles can, however, be checked in as baggage, subject to the standard excess baggage rate. The rates for excess baggage according to the weight concept can be found here. The rates for excess baggage according to the piece concept can be found here.
Skis and snowboards
Your (water) skiing equipment is subject to the standard baggage regulations. This means that if the total amount of your baggage exceeds the maximum free baggage allowance, excess baggage costs shall apply.
• Equipment:
One set of skiing or snowboarding equipment may include a snowboard or a pair of skis, two ski poles and a pair of ski boots.
• Charges:
Regulations for skis and snowboards according to the weight concept:
If your baggage and skiing or snowboarding equipment together weigh in excess of 20 kg, a low, fixed excess baggage rate shall apply to your skiing or snowboarding equipment. This fixed rate is, however, subject to the condition that the equipment alone does not weigh more than 20 kg. The rates can be found in the sports equipment table. The standard excess baggage rate shall also apply for each kilogram that your skiing or snowboarding equipment weighs in excess of 20 kg.
Regulations for skis and snowboards according to the piece concept:
One set of skiing or snowboarding equipment is regarded as one piece of baggage. If you wish to take a set of skiing or snowboarding equipment in addition to your maximum free baggage allowance, you can take advantage of our special, low rate. These rates can be found in the sports equipment table. The standard excess baggage rate shall apply for extra sets of skiing or snowboarding equipment.
Firearms and ammunition for shooting and hunting sports
The transportation of ammunition and firearms in hand baggage is strictly prohibited. These items may, however, be transported as checked baggage, for sporting and hunting purposes only, subject to the following conditions:
• Charges:
Regulations for baggage according to the weight concept:
The standard excess baggage rates shall apply if your baggage exceeds the maximum free baggage allowance.
Regulations for baggage according to the piece concept:
Each firearm is regarded as one piece of baggage. If your baggage exceeds the maximum free baggage allowance, the standard excess baggage rates shall apply.
• Permits and licenses:
Passengers must carry the following documents with them:
• The license for the firearms concerned
• Import and export permits for the countries concerned
• In the case of travel to, from or via the Netherlands, a permit from the Dutch Customs.
• Preparing firearms and ammunition for travel:
Contact your travel agent or airline reservations office to make an advance reservation for traveling with firearms or ammunition. Firearms must be unloaded and packed securely inside a suitcase, or in a separate case. Cartridges must be securely boxed and preferably packed inside a suitcase. Sporting and hunting rifles must also be transported separately from their ammunition. Ammunition must be for sporting purposes only and the weight of the ammunition must not exceed 5 kg (11 lbs) per passenger. It is not permitted to share the weight allowance between passengers.
• Restrictions
If you are intending to travel with firearms and ammunition, please note the following restrictions:
• Firearms and ammunition cannot be accepted on board Fokker 50 or smaller aircraft
• Baggage containing ammunition must not bear labels stating the word ‘explosives’
• Ammunition with explosive or incendiary projectiles is not permitted
• At check-in, you must declare that your firearm is unloaded and that the ammunition is packed separately
Other sports equipment:
Other sports equipment is transported free of charge, provided that it falls within your maximum free baggage allowance. When this is not the case, the standard rates for excess baggage according to the weight concept and piece concept apply. In the case of oversized or oddly shaped sports equipment, please contact KLM Reservations, stating the type, number, weight and dimensions of the sports equipment concerned.
Musical Instruments
There are four ways to transport your musical instrument by air: as check-in baggage, as hand baggage, taking up an extra seat, or asKLM Cargo.
As check-in baggage:
If you want to transport your instrument in the hold of the aircraft, you should consider the following points:
- The instrument should be packed in a hard case. We assume no liability for damage if your instrument is not appropriately packed.
- The standard excess baggage rates will apply if checking in your musical instrument results in having your total baggage exceed the limit. When your baggage is subject to the piece concept, a musical instrument counts as one item when it measures up to 100 cm in length.
- If your instrument, including its case, is larger than 203cm (80inch)(length + width + height) or heavier than 32 kg, you will have to contact KLM reservations in advance to request permission for its transport. If your instrument is heavier than 46 kg or lanrger than 406cm (160inch) the only way to transport it is via KLM Cargo.
As hand baggage
You can also take your musical instrument with you into the cabin as hand baggage if it fits in overhead bin or under the seat. Click here for more information about the limitations for hand baggage.
Taking up an extra seat
Larger instruments that will not fit in the overhead bin or under a seat can sometimes be taken into the cabin to be placed on an extra seat that is booked in advance. The condition for doing so is that your instrument must not exceed 140 cm in length and not weigh more than 46 kg. It is not possible to reserve an extra seat for this purpose at this website. Instead, you should contact KLM Reservations or your travel agent.
As KLM Cargo
If your musical instrument weighs more than 46 kilograms or is larger than 406cm (length+width+height), it can only be transported as freight by KLM Cargo.