Export Permits

User00022

Well-Known Member
I am off to South Africa to hunt and I have all the paperwork sorted for my rifle SA side.

However I have had various responses as to what I need to export my rifle for the hunt from the UK.

Anyone who has the experience could please shed some light then that would be great.

I have info from my FLO but just want to double check his information is correct.

Regards

Alex
 
All you need is your uk FAC and an airline approved lockable case (aluminium or pelican plastic) and to have notified the airline by phone that you are going to use your allowance of 23 kgs sporting goods. BA charge Virgin and SAA free. Its that easy except finding the airlines phone number !!!!! You say that you have already downloaded the SAPS 525 form and got your outfitter invitation letter with his licence numbers and a PH letter confirming your calibre to be suitable for what you're hunting. Good luck with group 4 security they are terrible at jnb but don'tpay bribes. Have a gr8 trip.
 
Having flown out of Heathrow, Gatwick and Standstead with firearms to both Africa and Finland on a number of occassions it can be a bit of a nightmare. In theory it is pretty much straightforward but it is always those people at the airport who do not know the rules or how to apply them for Firearms.

You will need a secure ridgid guncase to carry the firearm, do not put any ammo in the case. The ammo should go into your main luggage and be in a box, which does not need to be metal unless there is over 5kg explosive content!!
You will need your British FA certificate and you must let the airline you are flying with know you are carrying sporting firearms prior to your arrival. They then should inform airport security of your prescence and escort you to the customs where the weapon should be checked against your FA ticket. They then load the weapon onto the plane.

Couple of important points. 1. Make sure you arrive at the airport in plenty of time, i.e. at least 3 hours before take off. 2. Make sure you accompany the weapon at all times up to and with customs, do not let anyone take it to customs without your presence. this may seem obvious but believe me you will be suprised at how little airline staff know about handling weapons.

Have a great trip, if its your first time to the dark continent you will be in heaven. Let us know how you get on.

ATB

Sikamalc
 
The rifle case has to be lockable?
So i assume they inspect it at security and then you lock it?
I only ask because the last time i travelled to/back from America they said the cases (not a rfle case) needed to be unlocked.
Sadly i didnt realise my son had locked his for the return journey and security in the states had broken off the lock and ruined the case.
Cheers
Richard
 
The rifle case has to be lockable?
So i assume they inspect it at security and then you lock it?
I only ask because the last time i travelled to/back from America they said the cases (not a rfle case) needed to be unlocked.
Sadly i didnt realise my son had locked his for the return journey and security in the states had broken off the lock and ruined the case.
Cheers
Richard


Must admit I have never heard of a rifle case not being locked :eek:. But then I have never taken a rifle to USA.
 
The above is good Alex. Also make sure any ammo you take is in a manufacture`s box not home loads in another case makers packaging (it goes in your checked luggage not with the gun). Have you had a Yellow fever jab mate?
 
I am off to South Africa to hunt and I have all the paperwork sorted for my rifle SA side.

However I have had various responses as to what I need to export my rifle for the hunt from the UK.

Anyone who has the experience could please shed some light then that would be great.

I have info from my FLO but just want to double check his information is correct.

Regards

Alex

Hi Alex

We have just booked our 3rd trip to SA. Its really easy, first time was a bit daunting but in the end worked out well. If you fly with BA they will charge 50.00 out and another 50.00 back in, you need to notify them of the calibre you are taking at least 3 days before flying, however we got caught this way the first time and were lucky to be able to take the guns, they get very touchy about a .308, did not care much about the 30 06. Last year and this year booked with SAA, didn't even have to notify them of taking guns as they do it so often.

All you need is the letter of invitation from your outfitter, your tickets, the SAPs form completed BUT NOT SIGNED as you do that when you get there. If you are going through JHB then its really easy to find the import export of firearms department, do the paperwork then you have to go to another department to get the guns put onto the plane. We found a porter to assist with this and paid 20 sterling to him and another 20 sterling to the guys where we dropped the guns off. The first year we went we met with a guy our outfitter recommended to get us through with all the paperwork, he turned up late and cost us 200 dollars (a lesson learned). Coming back we found more difficult but again only paid 20.00 sterling. Keep smiling, interact and polite and it won't cost you anything. Don't tip the import export police, they are just doing a job.

One other thing to remember is to make sure you have a Hep A & B jab before you go have a couple of copies of your licence with you just in case they want to keep a copy and we always take a couple of spare passport photos.

You will have the time of your life. We are going in September, a group of 7, if you need any further help just let us know as we are currently selling the hunts for Mayogi Safaris.


Regards David & Linda
 
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