Flying to SA - Knife Law?

[Matabele]

Hello everyone,

I'm flying to South Africa tomorrow for a weeks hunting. I'm using a friend's rifle out there but I was thinking of bringing along my field dressing knife. It's a fixed blade, with a blade length just over 3 inches. So technically illegal to carry "without good reason" as far as I'm aware. Is travelling to SA for the purposes of hunting a suitable reason? It'll be placed in my checked luggage of course and I will be using public transport to get to the airport.

 

[Tim.243]

Hello everyone,

I'm flying to South Africa tomorrow for a weeks hunting. I'm using a friend's rifle out there but I was thinking of bringing along my field dressing knife. It's a fixed blade, with a blade length just over 3 inches. So technically illegal to carry "without good reason" as far as I'm aware. Is travelling to SA for the purposes of hunting a suitable reason? It'll be placed in my checked luggage of course and I will be using public transport to get to the airport.

they have lots of knives in Africa, i traveled with 8" RN divers knife on both trips to sa/mozambique in the hold luggage

 

[nun_hunter]

Hello everyone,

I'm flying to South Africa tomorrow for a weeks hunting. I'm using a friend's rifle out there but I was thinking of bringing along my field dressing knife. It's a fixed blade, with a blade length just over 3 inches. So technically illegal to carry "without good reason" as far as I'm aware. Is travelling to SA for the purposes of hunting a suitable reason? It'll be placed in my checked luggage of course and I will be using public transport to get to the airport.

In a nutshell, yes. Especially if it is within your hold luggage as long as it is in a decent sheath so no risk of injury to anyone handling your luggage.

Your airline may have their own requirement but that'll be in their T&C's.

 

[purdeydog]

Personally I wouldn’t bother. You will have to declare it at check in which is fine. Plus you may get your bag pulled when they xray it.

 

[Bowland blades]

Put it in your gun case with the rifles . Most of the planet are not bothered with knives being transported and the sub 3" none locking folder only really applies in the UK (Still we can have a larger blade here - (with good reason at the time in question) I think . Inside the the passenger seating area , your crazy to try imho
SPEAK TO THE AIRLINE

 

[springbok787]

I am not sure about exiting and entering the UK with a fixed knife, but I have travelled with a locking leatherman in hold luggage many times. Once in SA they have such a big gun problem I don’t think knives are a problem they worry about too much.

 

[artschool]

Personally I wouldn’t bother. You will have to declare it at check in which is fine. Plus you may get your bag pulled when they xray it.

why would you have to declare it if it’s in your hold luggage?

 

[Matabele]

Appreciate the replies everyone!

 

[purdeydog]

why would you have to declare it if it’s in your hold luggage?

Airlines ask at check in.

 

[pommers]

I've travelled to SA several times with a knife in my hold baggage - I've never had a problem and have never declared it

 

[artschool]

Airlines ask at check in.

I've travelled to SA several times with a knife in my gold baggage - I've never had a problem and have never declared it

me too

 

[Mike L]

I spent 21 years flying around the world with a variety of diving tools including knives in my luggage, NEVER had a problem, they went in the hold.

Let’s not try to make life more complicated.