Well my first trip to South Africa is approaching, leaving the 4th of July for the eastern cape. I need to get some insights and also facts.

Do the South African police require an original 4457 or will a photocopy of the original work?

Is there duty on the ammunition that I bring in, 20 rds 375 H&H and 40 rounds 30-06?

Should I use riflepermits.com for pre approval or do it myself on arrival?

I am sure more questions may popup but these one are for now.

Riflepermints.com would be my advice. They get them pre-approved so all you have to do is have the serial numbers verified and your on your way.

Congratulations on your first trip to Africa I am sure that it is the first of many African adventures to come .There is no duty on ammo. It has never come up with me weather the 4457 has to be an original copy in South Africa . I you have the original take it make copies of it . I wold strongly recommend that you use one of the gun import services . For the $150 you spend you will save a lot on bureaucratic BS at the end of a long and tiring trip. With a preissued permit you go to the front of the line takes 5min and you are off to your hotel or on your way to the hunting ares. If you decide not to use one of the services down load a SAP 520 and fill it out EXACTLY AS THE INSTRUCTIONS TELL YOU USING BLACK INK DO NOT SIGH IT UNTIL YOU GET IN FRONT OF THE POLICE MAN MAN good luck

Do the South African police require an original 4457 or will a photocopy of the original work? IT MAY BE NEEDED TO GET YOUR PERMIT AHEAD OF TIME.

Is there duty on the ammunition that I bring in, 20 rds 375 H&H and 40 rounds 30-06? NO

Should I use riflepermits.com for pre approval or do it myself on arrival? GET YOUR RIFLE LICENSE AHEAD OF TIME - YOUR OUTFITTER SHOULD HAVE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS. THE 4457 IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR GETTING YOUR GUN BACK INTO THE USA.

Thanks so far for the replies. I have all of the paperwork and instructions from the outfitter. I am waiting on clarifications from riflepermits.com on some questions.

I pretty much made my mind up before posting the questions that I will either go pre-approved or rent.

How do various members here make the payment to riflepermits.com?

Depending on which carrier you fly into Joburg, you must await at baggage to sign for the arrival of your firearm BEFORE going out through customs to the South African Police Service firearms office.

That is the case for SAA flights from the US. Just buttonhole one of the ground staff in the arrivals/baggage claim and ask where to wait for your gun case. After you sign they will separately take it to the Firearms Branch office where you will get your Temporary Import Permit.

Regards

The 4457 is for re-entry into the United States

List everything you take with you that has a serial number to avoid any possible duty

If at all possible get your pre approved SA firearms license....I used African Sky

No duty for your ammo.....I suggest you take more

quote:

Originally posted by shotgun46:
Congratulations on your first trip to Africa I am sure that it is the first of many African adventures to come .There is no duty on ammo. It has never come up with me weather the 4457 has to be an original copy in South Africa . I you have the original take it make copies of it . I wold strongly recommend that you use one of the gun import services . For the $150 you spend you will save a lot on bureaucratic BS at the end of a long and tiring trip. With a preissued permit you go to the front of the line takes 5min and you are off to your hotel or on your way to the hunting ares. If you decide not to use one of the services down load a SAP 520 and fill it out EXACTLY AS THE INSTRUCTIONS TELL YOU USING BLACK INK DO NOT SIGH IT UNTIL YOU GET IN FRONT OF THE POLICE MAN MAN good luck

+1

And congratulations on your first trip....I wish I could do my first (only) trip to the Eastern Cape again

It was awesome

riflepermits.com is a service provider similar to African Sky. I wanted to know how members payed the firm, riflepermits.com

When I went this past August, I decided not to bring my rifle for the simple reason it's so much easier traveling without it. Several friends have had their rifles delayed up to a week on their trips there, and others have told me about issues and unexpected fees that the airlines charged them. I asked my outfitter what he had for me to borrow, he had several Mauser's with Leopold scopes on them that he said I could use for free. I did this when I went to New Zealand also, and it just made the entire trip so much easier.

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
Do the South African police require an original 4457 or will a photocopy of the original work?

I would make some color copies just in case the original got lost. It's unlikely they're going to know the difference between a color copy and the original.

I have never paid a fee for firearm transportation though it has been asked for a time or two. Unless a special fee is listed on the airline's web site, there should be no extra fee; just tell them that.

The last time I went several attempts were made to get a payoff from me. If you have a meet and greet service or an outfitter with you, theu'll try to separate you from them and then ask for money.

The first was in Johannesburg. There was a delay in getting my firearms through the baggage claim so they had me leave my meet and greeter to go with them to identify my gun case; that's when the request for money was made.

The next was in Port Elizabeth on the return trip. I had been dropped off by my outfitter, gone through security, and was at the gate about 20 minutes prior to boarding when SAPS came looking for me and said they needed to count my ammunition. They had me open my ammo case and took my word for it that there were 20 rounds per case; they never counted it themselves nor was there ANY reason to count it. Then came the request for money which I also refused to dole over.

If you give in to the request for bribes you not only corrupt public officials but make it worse for the next person.

quote:

Originally posted by airgun1:
riflepermits.com is a service provider similar to African Sky. I wanted to know how members payed the firm, riflepermits.com

I just got back Saturday. Used Henry for the first time as I had a revolver. I included Henry's fee in my wire to my outfitter and had him pay Henry from that. Been 3 times prior and never used the service. Definitely took longer than having the preapproved paperwork done ahead of time. Recommend their services ONLY on arrival as leaving, they can only take your guns from the car to the entrance. No need for spending extra for that and it went simply and quick.

If you are staying at a guest house when you arrive to Jo'burg such as AfricaSky, I would work with them as they have everything in place for doing the permit ahead of time and worth every dollar for the meet and greet and instructions they can/will provide especially for the first time hunter!