Border Force Contact details - April 2022

[Tazz]

Sorry mate read the last post above yours. I have done everything.

I have spoken and written to Heathrow as in post one, I have spoken and written to BASC as posted above. I have spoken to Northumbria Police. Newcastle Airport will not respond. I have read the Gov.UK websites. They say you do not need one. The posted LETTER above says you do not need one. BASC say you do not need one.

But, according to the members on here, if you do not have one South African Police will confiscate your rifles!!

I sense your frustration building. For clarity there is no U.K. legal requirement when taking a fire abroad for hunting purposes, however it is “A requirement “ to get a rifle in to SA and is required to get you certification from the SA police housed in Johannesburg. For example I have just been to Namibia a month ago, the rifle was checked straight through to Namibia and so while I changed planes in Johannesburg my rifle and ammo were transferred straight through along with the rest of the bags. Namibia do not require a Temporary Export Cert so no involvement with UK BF.

For SA you have to show a Temporary Export Cert, they are one of only a handful of countries that require one. As per previous posts you apply a week or more in advance to the U.K. BF Email address, or you ask the BF guys to do you one at the time they check in your rifle, when I go to SA I do both. I also print off a full set of all the stuff they require in Johannesburg to speed up the process

Passport
FAC
Invitation letter
Flight details
etc

 

[404Boar]

Thanks Tazz I get it, I aim to do the same, get the Temporary Export Permit early on and get one at the Airport on the day of travel.

The problem I have is the only UKBF address to write to to get one upfront I can seem to get is London Heathrow. I will write to them today and ask if they are doing them for Regional / other airports and post the answer on here but I am doubtful.

 

[zambezi]

I have is the only UKBF address to write to to get one upfront I can seem to get is London Heathrow.

A bit of web searching has thrown up the following [UK location independent?] email address [and phone number!] to use when applying for a written Temporary Export permit prior to flying:


ukba.firearmslhr@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk


Per the snapshot below, the advice is courtesy the PHASA committee who caution against flying to SA without one:


[Namibia looking more attractive? ]

 

[ColinJ]

Thanks Tazz I get it, I aim to do the same, get the Temporary Export Permit early on and get one at the Airport on the day of travel.

The problem I have is the only UKBF address to write to to get one upfront I can seem to get is London Heathrow. I will write to them today and ask if they are doing them for Regional / other airports and post the answer on here but I am doubtful.

I could give you contact details for Manchester if it helps?
Have you got a blank form SAP520 to fill in? If not DM me your email or Whatsapp number and I’ll send it to you.

 

[zambezi]

blank form SAP520

The SAPS 520 is a downloadable pdf:

https://www.saps.gov.za/services/flash/firearms/forms/english/e520.pdf

 

[ColinJ]

The SAPS 520 is a downloadable pdf:

https://www.saps.gov.za/services/flash/firearms/forms/english/e520.pdf

You live and learn! This forum is awesome.

 

[404Boar]

Manchester BF details would be helpful, thank you.

I have a SAPS520 document completed thank you.

 

[zambezi]

This forum is awesome

Definitely agree.

There will always be someone on here who has made a journey like the one you are planning and is prepared to share what they encountered.

And I use the term journey in all its meanings: Travel, reloading know how, equipment performance, etc.

 

[Tazz]

Manchester BF details would be helpful, thank you.

I have a SAPS520 document completed thank you.

The BF U.K. Email address on the OP is not regional it’s the National BF guys they issue them for all U.K. Airports

 

[Tazz]

Manchester BF details would be helpful, thank you.

I have a SAPS520 document completed thank you.

A couple of us have just done write ups of our trips to SA/Namibia covering Airline, paperwork, BF, Police at each end and how it all went, consider that an option when you return. I hope you have a good trip

 

[404Boar]

A couple of us have just done write ups of our trips to SA/Namibia covering Airline, paperwork, BF, Police at each end and how it all went, consider that an option when you return. I hope you have a good trip

Yes I will do that, cheers

 

[NickJ]

I was given an export certificate by Border Force at Manchester Airport. They told me that the certificate is not a legal requirement for the UK, but they said take it anyway, because we have heard that the South African police at the airport can be ‘difficult’. They weren’t kidding, I had no end of difficulty because the certificate wasn’t stamped!

'Difficult' meaning they expect a $ in hand fee..?

 

[ColinJ]

'Difficult' meaning they expect a $ in hand fee..?

Exactly.

 

[Deeredriver]

I've travelled to South Africa many times with firearms.
Border force has always issued the proof of temporary export at Heathrow.
I've never experienced any problems with the South African Police service in Jo berg.
You just need to make sure you have all yhe relevant paperwork ready.

 

[Safari Hunter]

Guys you need this Temporary Export Certificate to get into South Africa. The email address given is the one to use and fill the UK form in on a previous thread. For the UK they need the form, copy of passport, copy of FAC, invite letter from outfitter and flight details. The same is needed in SA along with SAPS520 and this export certificate. I apply for my clients certificates and they turn up within a week. They will also email it to you but you need the original stamped. The guys at border force are very good and will accomodate quickly if needed. Do not try to get into SA without this certificate or you will end up in all kinds of hurt.

 

[404Boar]

Guys you need this Temporary Export Certificate to get into South Africa. The email address given is the one to use and fill the UK form in on a previous thread. For the UK they need the form, copy of passport, copy of FAC, invite letter from outfitter and flight details. The same is needed in SA along with SAPS520 and this export certificate. I apply for my clients certificates and they turn up within a week. They will also email it to you but you need the original stamped. The guys at border force are very good and will accomodate quickly if needed. Do not try to get into SA without this certificate or you will end up in all kinds of hurt.

Thank you.

I have spoken and written to UKBF at London Heathrow and they have said verbally and confirmed back in writing that they only deal with activities for London Heathrow departures and arrivals.

They are not the National hub and do not issue documents for other airports / regional departures.

I am still progressing this obviously as I completely understand it is a necessity for entry into S.A. with a hunting rifle. I will let everyone know how this is finally resolved.

The way it is going I may cancel my regional flights and drive to Heathrow!

 

[zambezi]

They are not the National hub and do not issue documents for other airports / regional departures.

That is a departure from the experience I had for my 2018 trip.

My correspondence was with Nicholas Richards at LHR and he issued both an email version of the permit and sent a stamped version in the post:

 

[NickJ]

All very useful info, thanks guys

 

[404Boar]

That is a departure from the experience I had for my 2018 trip.

My correspondence was with Nicholas Richards at LHR and he issued both an email version of the permit and sent a stamped version in the post:

View attachment 251165

Where did you fly from please?

 

[zambezi]

Where did you fly from please?

Heathrow.

But the supplied letter did not stipulate a port of embarkation. It is a generic statement detailing the temporary removal from the U.K. of a personally held firearm for purposes of a sporting activity.

Mr Richards was very helpful. I would attempt to contact him directly per his email above. If Heathrow are no longer the provider of nationwide documents, he will be able to tell you which of his sister departments now run with that.



For those who have been unfairly treated by SAPs at point of national entry, it is probably worth escalating as per PHASA guidelines:

Temporary Firearm Import Permits - PHASA