Border Force Contact details - April 2022

[Selous]

I have just spent several hours trying to get in touch with UK border force for an export certificate ahead of a trip to RSA and my emails kept bouncing back. I eventually got through and it appears that the email address has changed since others have posted it on SD.
The current email address is bflhrfirearms@homeoffice.gov.uk and the phone number is 07802614705

 

[ljs]

Border force will issue automatically a cert when you check rifles at Heathrow , just been through and officer said it’s now routine procedure,

 

[404Boar]

Same here!

I have been on all day today and have made no progress. I am flying from Newcastle via Dubai and Emirates Airlines to Johannesburg. I am ‘advised’ I need a Temporary Export Certificate for the rifle. I need this in advance to send on to South Africa ahead of my flight. I cannot therefore wait until the day of the flight.

How on earth do I get one? From Newcastle not Heathrow? I cannot find a number nor an email.

 

[Selous]

Same here!

I have been on all day today and have made no progress. I am flying from Newcastle via Dubai and Emirates Airlines to Johannesburg. I am ‘advised’ I need a Temporary Export Certificate for the rifle. I need this in advance to send on to South Africa ahead of my flight. I cannot therefore wait until the day of the flight.

How on earth do I get one? From Newcastle not Heathrow? I cannot find a number nor an email.

I honestly don’t know… the only thing I could suggest is to phone the airport and ask for a contact number for Border Force at Newcastle and go from there. It seems that some airlines will only carry firearms from specific airports. For example it seems that Virgin Atlantic only carry firearms from Heathrow but not Manchester. If you find out a contact number and email it would be good to post it here to help others that follow your path. I looked at regional airport flights but figured that driving to Heathrow for a direct flight was going to be easier than negotiating multiple flights

 

[sh1kar]

Send this to the email address in the first post or phone them and ask for the actual form

Application for Letter of Temporary Export of Firearms to South Africa

Full Name
Address
Dates of trip (inclusive)
Issuing Police Authority
Firearms Certificate number
Valid dates (to and from)
Safari Company
Weapons to be imported with serial Number
Weapons to be imported with serial Number
Weapons to be imported with serial Number
Ammunition - calibre, amount
Ammunition - calibre, amount

Checklist of documents required:
[ ] Copy of the ID page of your passport
[ ] Copy of letter of invitation from the hunting party
[ ] Copy of flight details to and from South Africa
[ ] Copy of the full, valid, firearms certificate
[ ] Details of which firearm(s) and ammo will be exported
[ ] Completed Application Form

 

[404Boar]

Thanks both, yes I will ring and email the London Heathrow Team using the details in post one and see if the they can give me direction or even just the Newcastle BF details.

The Government websites were incredibly confusing.

 

[404Boar]

I’ve spoken to Heathrow, lovely bloke, he’s advised I contact Newcastle Airport Firearms team. I’ve tried and been told there isn’t one!

 

[404Boar]

Does anyone have a copy of the document the Border Force issue you with to leave the UK with please? The one we are all trying so hard to get?

 

[zambezi]

the document the Border Force issue you with to leave the UK

My last one [2018] was in the form of a letter:

 

[404Boar]

Excellent, thank you. I just need to work out how to get one of these from Newcastle.

 

[404Boar]

Reading the letter above it states that as long as you comply with the exemption clause of the Export Control Order 2008 in having the hunting rifle travel with you in your personal effects and having all relevant licenses for legal ownership you do not need a Temporary Export Permit!

 

[404Boar]

Just received from BASC;

Dear Mr Gray,

When travelling out of the UK, Export licences are not usually required. Holders of valid firearm or shot gun certificates may take abroad with them, or have sent, as part of their personal effects, without an export licence, any firearms, shot guns or related ammunition entered on the certificates if the certificates are presented by the holder, or their duly authorised agent, with the firearms and ammunition to the officer of the Border Force at the place of exportation. The exception also includes telescopic sights.

With regard to your return to the UK. As a concession for personal non-commercial import of privately owned firearms, shot guns and ammunition, HM Border Force accept valid United Kingdom firearm or shot gun certificates in lieu of import licences. The firearms shot guns or ammunition must be freely declared to Border Force upon importation.

Kind regards,

Paul Dale (Firearms)

Firearms Officer

BASC

 

[Tazz]

Reading the letter above it states that as long as you comply with the exemption clause of the Export Control Order 2008 in having the hunting rifle travel with you in your personal effects and having all relevant licenses for legal ownership you do not need a Temporary Export Permit!

I have been to Johannesburg 5 times each times in the last couple of years, they require the Temporary Export Cert from Border Force. You can either apply for one by Email prior to going or ask the BF guys who check your rifle details at the airport and they will issue one, make sure they stamp it

 

[ColinJ]

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!

 

[404Boar]

I have been to Johannesburg 5 times each times in the last couple of years, they require the Temporary Export Cert from Border Force. You can either apply for one by Email prior to going or ask the BF guys who check your rifle details at the airport and they will issue one, make sure they stamp it

Who do you email to get one?

 

[ColinJ]

Who do you email to get one?

It’s in the first post on this thread!

 

[404Boar]

Yes for London Heathrow travelers. I am not leaving from Heathrow.

 

[404Boar]

Read my posts, I have done everything everyone has suggested and still no further forward. Heathrow, Police, BASC.

 

[Tazz]

Who do you email to get one?

The OP has listed the current Email address for BF firearm, you get a form from them to complete then send copies of all the required docs, FAC, Rifle no’s, invitation letter, flight tickets etc. As per previous post you can leave it till the day you fly and ask the BF guys to do you one, someone has posted an example of one on here

 

[404Boar]

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!!