Border Force Contact details - April 2022

[Tazz]

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!

Just for clarity, I am sure if you contacted Heathrow BF they will only deal with London flights.as per your conversation and letter However the Email address on the start of this thread is for a Home Office central dept that deals with the issue of Tempoary Export letters, if you read their Email address it’s there.and below, below and in the OP he has the number as well. They are a central resource who work within the Home Office, that’s who you need to contact if you want the Temp Export letter ahead of your trip

bflhrfirearms@homeoffice.gov.uk

 

[404Boar]

Just for clarity, I am sure if you contacted Heathrow BF they will only deal with London flights.as per your conversation and letter However the Email address on the start of this thread is for a Home Office central dept that deals with the issue of Tempoary Export letters, if you read their Email address it’s there.and below, below and in the OP he has the number as well. They are a central resource who work within the Home Office, that’s who you need to contact if you want the Temp Export letter ahead of your trip

bflhrfirearms@homeoffice.gov.uk

Tazz I have contacted Heathrow on the number stated in the OP. I have spoken to a human being. A very nice BF Officer.

I have also written to the email address in the OP and in your post. They have written back. And they have all said they only deal with Heathrow.

Note the email address says bfLHRfirearms.

I am making progress for Regional departures, I am speaking to more really good BF guys, I will post all of the details for everyone once I get it sorted.

It is a chore but hey-ho.. hopefully once I get it done this time it will be easier for everyone in the future and give us more opportunity.

 

[308tikka]

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!!

Which is claptrap and is a result of idiots presenting letters which arent required. They will not confiscate. You can turn up in Joburg and fill out the SAPS form at the desk if you want. It will just take time. We are not importing a firearm to SA. We are visiting with a firearm. Just make sure you do leave with it…

 

[sh1kar]

Which is claptrap and is a result of idiots presenting letters which arent required. They will not confiscate. You can turn up in Joburg and fill out the SAPS form at the desk if you want. It will just take time. We are not importing a firearm to SA. We are visiting with a firearm. Just make sure you do leave with it…

Been many many times

See the section on supporting documents

You are wrong

About Us | SAPS (South African Police Service)

www.saps.gov.za

S

 

[308tikka]

Been many many times

See the section on supporting documents

You are wrong

About Us | SAPS (South African Police Service)

www.saps.gov.za

S

I just magicked myself into SA 5 times then? last trip returned 27 March.

Even Border Force say there is no requirement.

It is because of people like you who love having a piece of paper to wave that the question even gets asked.

It is exactly the same with bribes.

Since not exporting, but visiting with a firearm therenis zero need for an export letter.

 

[Heym SR20]

Africa runs on pieces of paper with stamps. Embossed stamps are even better. More stamps a piece of paper has the more important it is.

And the going rate for a customs officer to get a job on a border post such as the main South Africa Zimbabwe one is over US$100,000. These are fees he has to pay in order to get a posting. The annual salary is very low, but the earnings potential is reflected in the fees he pays to get the job.

The British government has now remembered the value of lots of paperwork and anybody who wants to bring things in or out of the country has to pay fees to get the right stamps. But you will have to pay bigger fees to get the right number of the right person who can tell you the right person to give you the right piece of paper for you to fill in the correct coloured ink in block numerals - no not letters, its special numbers or codes fir what you want to bring in or out. But what are those special numbers - well they are so special that are carefully hidden somewhere in the computer and you need special descriptions to find them. But what is the description you need - ah that one is veeeerry difficult. And that requires more fees to an agent who is also veeery clever.

 

[Safari Hunter]

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

Obviously BASC have no idea about South Africa. A temporary export is needed every time there. Not needed for Namibia though.