Travelling with firearms to RSA

PSE Composites Limited - The next level Rifle Stocks
Selous

Selous

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Covid permitting I will be heading to RSA in 2021. I have never travelled with firearms before so would appreciate advice from those who have. I think I understand the packing requirements (locked hard case, unloaded etc, ammo in separate locked hard case). I assume that on arrival at the airport I go to check in and let them know I have firearms with me and follow their instructions from there. Is this correct or do I need to do anything different?
Are there any airlines that are better to deal with or better to be avoided? I’m looking at direct flights from LHR to Tambo so probably Virgin or BA...
My intention was to arrange the import of the rifle into RSA with Hunters Support at Tambo who do a meet and greet service. Hopefully this will streamline things.
Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.
 
I have done this journey 3 times with firearms, Australia 4 times and Canada 3 times. I strongly urge you not to use BA. They are SH1T3. To the point you risk not boarding on time. You definitely wont have a relaxing tine in the lounge.

If your budget and timeline allows use EMIRATES-that will be a stopoff. Excellent, pro-firearms user as the Sheik wants SG competitors to use his airline. They did my paperwork and had sy escort for firearm at heathrow in 10 minutes flat.

next-SA airlines-not too bad and are well used to firearms, finally Virgin as a last resort - expect to be fleeced.

on arrival atJoburg you will go to the customs hall. I strongly advise getting an outfitter to meet you. They can be funny about having more than one rifle in same calibre imported by one person in same case (technically not permitted but they are a bit confused by their own laws). You need to have forms filled out and a host (outfitter) of where guns will be kept etc.

They will ask for a letter/certificate of export. The UK doesnt issue one but because idiots have begged border force for a letter headed copy the SA customs now think they do.
All should be straightforward until they get frustrated you dont have this magic piece of paper they will threaten to confiscate your firearms.
You NEED a local to ‘smooth’ the process if required. This may be a sharp talking to or it might be 1000rand.
 
@308tikka When youve used Emirates have you stayed in Dubai or just a 4 hour stop over in the airport? Do guns go all the way through to RSA without need to grab them in Dubai?

Josh
 
josh3105 said:
@308tikka When youve used Emirates have you stayed in Dubai or just a 4 hour stop over in the airport? Do guns go all the way through to RSA without need to grab them in Dubai?

Josh
Click to expand...

You just stop over inside the airport in Dubai without clearing customs. Guns will go straight through if you stopover at airport.

However you CAN clear customs and go to a hotel but is extra paperwork and they will require more from you as a non-citizen for heavy calibre double etc, probably lodgibg guns with local police. I wouldnt bother.

best just to get into a lounge and wait there. £25-30 each way lounge access. I can drink more than that in 4 hours. Get a shower, decent food, comfy chair and break up the flight.
Book a hotel at airport or have outfitter pick you up for onward journey.

NB all my experience is pre covid
 
Send me a pm. Flown 24 times to RSA. Zambia. Botswana. Mozambique. With firearms. SAA. Excellent. About to go bust. BA good. Use Air2000. Go straight there. SAP well used to us with firearms. U are paying to expedite process. If connecting from RSA to go elsewhere. Allow plenty of time
if going to Moz. DO NOT fly LAM. They will lose your rifle. Known locally as Lost Around Mozambique.
s
 
Taken firearms to SA several times and it is or was not difficult.

you need 520 form completed but not signed.

Invitation later from PH.

copy of firearms certificate

copy of passport

Copy of Border Force import / export letter

Provide all this in a pact, labelled and all should be good.

My experience have done hunted in SA several times or so you don‘t need to spend money on assistance as it is straignt forward. The porters will help guide you through the airport and at times jump ques but at a cost (£5 or £10).

On outgoing flights you need at least 3 hours between connecting internal flights to clear customs and SAP, it is cutting it close..... you need your paperwork in order and clearly laid out. Return flights are / were easier, book everything in at the domestic flight as a straignt transfer but this of course was with SAA domestic flight and then using them for the international flight.

Currently you now need a visa from SA and the you will need to self isolate on your return for 2 weeks. So you need to check these over the next few months to see whether this changes.

Depending in where you are hunting is SA, if you need a domestic flight you will need to check if they carry firearms, the only one that does is Airlink. However, they are not covering all the airports that SAA did, this could change in the next couple of months.

The best advice is don’t be in a hurry, African time runs slow and the more agitated you become the slower their clock goes......

If,you need anymore help drop me a PM
 
Agree. But can’t be doing with Porter hassle For tips etc and potential queue SAP So just pay air 2000 they know the guys and jump queue Well worth it for first timer who is trying to navigate the airport ESP when rifle is one place and ammo comes out on the belt!!!

s
 
sh1kar said:
Agree. But can’t be doing with Porter hassle For tips etc and potential queue SAP So just pay air 2000 they know the guys and jump queue Well worth it for first timer who is trying to navigate the airport ESP when rifle is one place and ammo comes out on the belt!!!

s
Click to expand...
Just to clarify, Is air2000 now TUI?
 
We flew out last year, we had a bit of drama with the SAPs forms as they still had not been sent to us in the morning of the flights, luckily one of the trip lived in London and they got sent to him with 30 mins to spare to bring with him, other then that we had no issues, the checks on landing In joberg was straight forward, I had to pay the police 150 rand to The police yo make it easier to get our guns onto the flight to east London. - on the return trip we booked the guns direct from east London to Heathrow, so we had no drama with firearms in joberg on way back. We had planned for May this year , but Covid cancelled that for us. Can’t wait to get back next year 👍👍
 
We flew out last year, we had a bit of drama with the SAPs forms as they still had not been sent to us in the morning of the flights, luckily one of the trip lived in London and they got sent to him with 30 mins to spare to bring with him, other then that we had no issues, the checks on landing In joberg was straight forward, I had to pay the police 150 rand to The police yo make it easier to get our guns onto the flight to east London. - on the return trip we booked the guns direct from east London to Heathrow, so we had no drama with firearms in joberg on way back. We had planned for May this year , but Covid cancelled that for us. Can’t wait to get back next year 👍👍
 
I flew out in 2018 & 2019 both times with Virgin no hassle at Heathrow, smooth and hassle free, both times I’ve arrived at Tambo by the time I’d cleared immigration and baggage reclaim when I got to the firearms office my rifle case and ammo box were there, presented the paperwork which was filled out ready to go apart for signing the SAPS which you have to do in front of them and jobs a good un on my way both times my PH was waiting for me and came in the office with me straight forwards cost nothing 15 minutes max.
 
Absolutely do not use BA the cost is a ripoff £125 per firearm, per ammunition each flight = £500. I have always used SAA but they are now also charging. havnt been to Africa for 3 years now but next year going to Namibia and will be flying with Qatar.
Tusker
 
You are welcome to use my stuff, if you send me your mail address i can forward you examples on how to fill out the SAPS520 paperwork



UK CITIZENS importing firearms into the RSA for hunting!


Made aware that UK Citizens temporarily exporting firearms for hunting to South Africa and applying for a temporary import permit at the airport (not pre-issued) after arrival in South Africa, will need to have Proof of Export of the rifle/s from the UK. The Export permit from the UKBF Armory Control must be applied for in30 days (1 month) notice time before travelling to South Africa.

This is compulsory. The South Africa police will not issue the temporary import permit and will confiscate your firearm(s).


What to do:

  1. Email the UKBF Armory Control on bflhrfirearms@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
  2. Advise them that you will be travelling to South Africa for a game hunting safari.
  3. Request them to issue you with a letter/document that you may lawfully temporarily export your firearms and ammunition to South Africa.
  4. Scan and email copies of the following with the request:
    •  Invitation letter from Outfitter
    •  Copy of Passport
    •  Copy of FAC (Firearms) license – indicate exactly which rifles/shotguns you will take and the amount of ammunition
    •  Return flights and date
    •  Contact details: +44 (0) 20 8910 3721
    •  You also need to fill in a form (annexure "A") and send in with your paperwork above.

5. SAP520 to be filled out for importing rifles to RSA – Obtain from Outfitter

Annexure "A"

Full Name
Address
Dates of trip (inclusive)
Issuing Police Authority
Firearms Certificate number
Valid dates
Safari Company
Weapons to be imported with serial Number
Weapons to be imported with serial Number
Weapons to be imported with serial Number
Ammunition - caliber, amount
Ammunition - caliber, amount
 
srvet said:
Covid permitting I will be heading to RSA in 2021. I have never travelled with firearms before so would appreciate advice from those who have. I think I understand the packing requirements (locked hard case, unloaded etc, ammo in separate locked hard case). I assume that on arrival at the airport I go to check in and let them know I have firearms with me and follow their instructions from there. Is this correct or do I need to do anything different?
Are there any airlines that are better to deal with or better to be avoided? I’m looking at direct flights from LHR to Tambo so probably Virgin or BA...
My intention was to arrange the import of the rifle into RSA with Hunters Support at Tambo who do a meet and greet service. Hopefully this will streamline things.
Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.
Click to expand...
hi pm me for more details thanx
 
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