Hi Guys & a happy and prosperous new year to you all.
I have often read of the frustrations and complaints re delays in clearing firearms into SA at Jhb International airport so I thought I should let you know what I observed one Sunday (9 October)late afternoon.

While standing waiting for my other half to clear through immigration having both returned from a weekend trip to Maputo I watched a young cowboy arrive with his female companion (cowgirl?). They went to the firearm clearance office and within no more than 10 minutes they completed the procedures and were cleared. After having only read bad things about the police manning this office I was amazed at the swiftness in completing the procedure. Granted he was the only 'customer' there and there were no queues but he must have either struck it lucky with the right police officials being on duty or his paper work was totally in order - I suspect a bit of both.

Maybe a bit of bribery?

I go through on a fairly regular basis and ALWAYS have all the paperwork in order and everything ready to give them and it only ever takes a few minutes...... and I've never been asked for a bribe.

I agree with Steve, I never had a problem with any of my clients, if the paperwork is correctly done and everything is in order there is no problem. Don't bribe the policeman, it will only make things difficult in future and you promote a illigal practice. Rather give the guys a coke or something else after he gave you good service.

You guys are great. I have been to Africa a few times but this last year had no end of trouble getting rifles into RSA as I was only passing through and not actually hunting there. Not hunting? Why have guns? The officers were going to confiscate my rifles and make me come back on the next week to sort things out. I had letters from Wes Hixon, Peter Chipman, an itenerary, and a hunting contract for Zambia. Since I was visiting in Cape Town for a few days, they wanted a letter of invitation to hunt in the RSA which I did not have. After an hour of explaining the situation over and over again, I "bought" a letter of invitation from one of the officers. Paperwork flew and we were off. I think it is terrible to do things like that, however, $20.00 seemed a more reasonable solution to a problem that didn't appear to want to go away.

quote:

Originally posted by lb404:
You guys are great. I have been to Africa a few times but this last year had no end of trouble getting rifles into RSA as I was only passing through and not actually hunting there. Not hunting? Why have guns? The officers were going to confiscate my rifles and make me come back on the next week to sort things out. I had letters from Wes Hixon, Peter Chipman, an itenerary, and a hunting contract for Zambia. Since I was visiting in Cape Town for a few days, they wanted a letter of invitation to hunt in the RSA which I did not have. After an hour of explaining the situation over and over again, I "bought" a letter of invitation from one of the officers. Paperwork flew and we were off. I think it is terrible to do things like that, however, $20.00 seemed a more reasonable solution to a problem that didn't appear to want to go away.

square shooter /

I sympathise with you, the SOB'S were just exerting pressure to extract money from you and although I am against being unilateraslly bribed per se we have personally done exactly the same as yourself at times in Africa when crossing international borders for whatever reason.

Many will castigate me and yourself for this action BUT for those whom have never been to Africa and been caught up in a border dispute with intransigent African Officials then they better try it one day and see what they might do //

Generally speaking the MAIN problem @ JIA from all my information and reperts I get is that whenever their is a large volume of hunters arriving on the same flight then the officials are over stretched and all it takes is a couple of guys with incorrect paper work and the hassles and time delays increase //

Hopefully 2006 will be a bit better !!!

Happy New Year

Peter

Hope you don`t mind joining this post.
I was about to post some questions regarding this import.
I`m going through JNB on my way to Port Elisabeth in march.
I have printed the SAPS 520 and an invitation letter directly from my outfitters website. I will also bring documentation that I own the gun, passport and of course return air line ticket. Am I good to go?
On PHASA`s website I found some information regarding this. They stated that I need to pick up baggage and gun, and then move on to the Police Firearm Office. But I`ll be going to Port Elisabeth, and thought the baggage/guns were booked and transfered all the way through. What do I do?
It also said that for "In Transit Passengers (Transiting South Africa)", they don`t have to go through the import process. Just stay in the in-transit area and do not clear South African customs.
But I guess there`s a difference between transitting JNB and South Africa??

Since JNB is your entry point to RSA, you MUST go through customs and SAP in JNB. The fact that you have a passport, return ticket, invitation from an outfitter, and documentation that the guns you bring are yours should simplify things as much as possible. YOU MUST CLEAR YOUR GUNS IN JOHANNESBURG prior to further travel in RSA. The in transit area is for those going to another destination other than RSA, ie. Namibia, Zambia, or etc..

I have gone thru RSA twice..Joberg and Capetown as ports of entry then domestic flights and an overnight stay and off to Zim...
I am very particular of having all i's dotted and t's crossed and had blank copies and finished copies no signatures and black ink pen.. Then ready and with confidence in line at Joberg...there is about a dozen of other hunters behind my son and I and about 4 guys in front of us...
First two out in a flash...Then these two good old boys from Texas who absolutely knew everything went in and the sh-- hit the fan..No paper work at all..illegal firearms...twice as much ammo... Well we, the other dozen guys in line stood there for 2 hours..All were ready to put those boys out of misery... A guy behind asks if he can go in first he has a connection to catch...He goes in and then son and I and the three of us out in 10minutes...
I even took extra paperwork for Zim and my Ph asked if I had any extra and I said yes and another client with another ph had nothing also.. Saved another butt..
It pays to get a good travel agent who knows the ropes and gun and paper work needed for safaris and transit...

Mike

Went through Jberg in May. There were about 45 hunters on our flight. I was 12 in line and it took 4 hours. The probable seemed to be the few hunters at the front of the line that did not have there paper work anywhere near complete. There is a large list on the wall of what paper work you need to show. I can't tell you how many of the first ten in line kept having to go back to there bags for more paper work. I really feel that if you don't have the paper work when you get to the front of the line that you should go to the back of the line. That way the people who actually took the time to make sure they have what they need don't lose valuable time due to someone elses laziness. There are too many places on the net to find out what you need. Just my .02

ah, what would be wrong with them actually having more help at the desk? I agree if you haven't filled the paperwork in you should be prescreened inline to expidite the process.

I went through Joburg twice in September/October. I had arranged with Air2000 to have my permit waiting on the first trip through. My son and I were met at the gate, escorted through all the formalities and delivered to our accomodations in hardly any time at all. It took longer pick up our luggage than it did to clear everything else, SAPS included. Best $125 I ever spent.

Have all your paperwork in order and do not loose your temper. Even if you are right do not confront the SAPS person agressively, it does not work they know all the tricks to keep you longer than needed. Stay calm and always make them feel important.
Hope all you guys/girls have freat African experience in 2006

akpls,

I would do the same thing as you next time round.

Due to our flight being delayed for 13hrs we were the only ones at the SAPS room with Firearms. It took us 45mins to clear our two shotguns and a rifle, but if our flight had landed with all the other US flights then the queue would have driven me nuts.

Rgds,

For some reason, PHASA has taken this information off of their website. Below is a copy of the information that was originally posted on the PHASA website.


Importation of Firearms into or through South Africa:

Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes, will be asked to fill in a SAP 520 – Temporary Import Application which is available from your outfitter, or which can be downloaded off the SAPS Website at http://www.saps.gov.za/crime_prevention/firearms/importation_index.htm or which can be filled out on arrival. We would suggest filling in the form beforehand to save the processing time at the Police Office.

Instructions for Filling in SAP 520 Form

1. Black ink must be used to fill in the form.

2. The form must be left unsigned until the document is finalized in front of the police official issuing the actual permit.

3. Please note that not all sections of the form apply. Visitors bringing their own firearms in for hunting purposes should concentrate on filling in the following:

Section D – (temporary import or export permit)
Section E – 1 – 25.4
Section G
Section I – (Must fill in all details requested)
Section J – (remember do not sign until in front of police officer at firearm office)

Additional Requirements along with the SAP 520 are the following:

Identity and flight details
1. Passport
2. Return Airline Ticket

Other Supporting Documentation

1. Proof of ownership - Firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc. For USA Citizens, Customs Declaration Form 4457 (officially stamped) is acceptable]

2. Proof of Export - [Documentary proof of export from the country of origin]

3. Motivation Letter from Client - [This is a letter from the client stating that he is temporarily importing the referred to firearm/s for the purpose of hunting, to include that the firearm/s are required as he will be hunting (list the species to be hunted), etc.]

4. Invitation Letter from the Hunting Outfitter - [This is supporting documentation from the Hunting Outfitter/company with whom the client will be hunting, to include full name of company, full contact details and address, dates and locations where the client will be hunting and confirming that the applicant will be using the specific firearms as applied for.]

5. Any Other Supporting Documents

Firearms will be physically inspected to ensure the serial number(s) match those of the licenses (proof of ownership) and the application form. Ammunition will also be inspected.

For visitors clearing customs at the Johannesburg International Airport, please take note of the following procedure to be followed on arrival:

1. Clear passport control in the Terminal where your flights arrives (generally SAA and its co-partners at Terminal 2 and all the other airlines at Terminal 1).

2. Proceed to baggage claim at the respective carousel. Pick up general baggage, then proceed to the respective Airline Help Desk to pick up firearm/s from the airline company and sign a receipt for the firearm/s. Ask the Airline Help Desk to direct you to the South African Police Firearm Office. Depending on the terminal where you arrive, they may need to escort you to the office.

3. Proceed to the South African Police Firearm Office (Do not at this time proceed to customs)

4. On receipt of the temporary import permit at the SAPS Firearm Office, proceed to Customs, the Red Zone, where you declare the firearm/s and finish other custom clearance procedures.

For those visitors clearing customs at any of the other international points of entry, please take note of the relevant information made above which relates to documentation requirements, etc.

Please ensure sufficient time is allowed to go through the temporary importation process and to clear customs. During the busy periods of the hunting season up to seventy clients may be needing permits at the same time. We would therefore recommend at least five (5) hours be set aside for this procedure and between connecting flights.

Firearm / Ammunition Allowance and Specifications

1. No more than one firearm per caliber and 200 rounds per firearm will be permitted.

2. No ammunition for other rifle calibers will be permitted. An exception to this may apply for shotguns where more than one of the same caliber may be allowed for bird hunting purposes if the client produces on arrival at the SAPS Gun Office an acceptable written motivation as to why more than one is required.

3. Firearms must bear the manufacturer’s serial number or any other mark by which the firearm can be identified. The identification number must be stamped and the mark affixed in the prescribed manner on the barrel or the frame or the receiver of the firearm.

4. Handguns will be allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Any visitor wanting to bring in a handgun in this regard needs to have a letter from an association in the country of origin, stating the handgun will be used for hunting purposes.

Prohibited firearms which may NOT be imported into South Africa include:

Any fully automatic weapon
Any semi-automatic weapon
Handgun/s for self defense
Weapons which fall under military categories

A semi-automatic shotgun for hunting purposed may be allowed if an application is made at least 21 days before arrival through the Central Firearms Register with a motivation letter as to why this type of firearm is required.

General Provisions:

Temporary Import Permits:

1. May only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of hunting.

2. Will be issued subject to the requirements of the Act with regard to the carrying, storage, safe custody and transport of a firearm and ammunition.

3. Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set out in the permit.

4. Subject to the fact that no person who holds a temporary import permit is allowed to transfer the firearm to another person in South Africa without prior written permission having been obtained from the Central Firearm Register.

5. Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit leaves the Republic of South Africa, the firearm in respect of which the permit is issued must accompany the holder of the permit

6. Possession of no more than the quantity of cartridges determined by the Registrar and specified on the permit for each firearm in respect of which the temporary import permit applies

7. A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time.

8. Applicant must be 21 or over.

9. Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary import permit not issued, you will face severe penalties and possible arrest on departure from South Africa.

Applications for Temporary Import Permits can be made in advance to the Central Firearm Register. Ask your Hunting Outfitter to assist you in this regard.

Please ensure that your firearm/s arrive on the same flight as you do. This must be done with the airline company on departure. Your firearm/s may only be signed for by you and will not be released to your outfitter or professional hunter should it/they arrive on a separate flight. If the firearm/s do not arrive with the passenger, the passenger must proceed to his final destination in South Africa and apply at the closest Police Station for a Temporary Import Permit. When the Temporary Import Permit has been issued, the original permit with the keys to the rifle case must be couriered to the Border Post of entry. A Transport Agent with transport permit must be appointed by the passenger. This Transport Agent must have a letter from the passenger instructing him/her to transport the firearm/s to the passenger in person. The firearm will be inspected by the Police at the Port of entry and the firearm/s and permit will be handed to the transporter to be transported to the passenger.

Please do not pay for any service regarding the handling of firearms at Johannesburg International Airport, or any port of entry. The issuing of the SAP 520 is a free service and the South African Police Service asks not to pay anybody involved in handling firearms from the time of arrival in South Africa right through until you receive your firearm/s and the permit from the SAPS. Clients that are paying the various airline staff, security staff, or porters involved are actually creating a problem. Please note however there is a handling fee charged by airlines and/or security companies for the handling of handguns, and some airlines have started charging a handling fee for all firearms. We suggest checking with your airline with regard to any “official†fees that may be required.

There is no permit required, nor any charge by the South African Police Service for a bow. Handling fees are charged by airline and/or security companies for bows and handguns.

Please note that NO firearms will be held for safekeeping by the SAPS. If a client brings in a prohibited firearm, brings in more than what is allowed, or lacks the necessary documentation and his request for a temporary import permit is denied, the involved firearms must be exported immediately by the client or voluntarily surrendered to the State.

In Transit Passengers (Transiting South Africa)

It is critical that you check with and confirm with the airline/s involved before departure to make sure what their procedure is for the transfer of baggage and/or firearms.

If the airline does transfer your baggage/firearms, and you have booked them through to the final destination, and you stay in the in-transit area and do not clear South African customs, then you need not go through the temporary import process.

If your airline company will not transfer your baggage/guns to your connecting airline/flight, then you must collect your baggage/firearm/s and go through the entire entry process. If this is the case, the South African Limitations, requirements, etc. will apply.

This also applies if you are over-nighting in South Africa before flying on to your country of destination.

My outfitter told me that I should try to plan at least 4 hours in JNB to be on the safe side. The flight I`ve booked leaves us with 3,5.
And PHASA`s advice is 5 hours plus..
Are we in trouble?
Hope march is a bit better? Maybe fewer hunters during this month? And fewer hunters that come through Europe maybe, or do all US flights go through Europe..?

Anders,

What time are you arriving in JNB? I think the flights from the US get in at 10:30 AM and March is not the high season, so fewer hunters are arriving. When I arrived from London, I was the only one at the firearms desk.

Regards,

Terry

Hint, hint ...

Contact Optima or Air2000 in advance, and ask them about obtaining your license before you get there.

Terry,
We`re supposed to arrive at 06:45AM, for a 10:15 departure.. On the 17 March..
I`m a bit worried now.
Have thought of contacting Optima or Air 2000, but they can`t help me further than get all documentation right, I guess. If there`s a queue, they can`t help me sneak through, right?

You are arriving at 6:45 AM in Joberg? I suspect there will be few (if any) people in line at the firearms desk. I would think, if you have everything in order, you could easily clear your firearms in time for your connecting flight. You might want to email SAPS and ask them what time the firearms desk opens. They may not get to work that early.

Do you have your Motivation Letter?

You said you printed the Invitation Letter from your outfitter's website, is that Invitation Letter specifically addressed to you and signed by the outfitter? I don't think you can use some generic form.

Regards,

Terry

Thank you Terry!
Have read about the motivation letter, but it`s a bit unclear to me what it should contain..
Am I supposed to send this to the SAPS office in advance, or is it only a statement-letter from myself that I`m supposed to show them at the desk?

The invitation letter I was talking about might not be enough.
It`s only printed from his website. I need to adress and sign myself.
I`ll rather get my outfitter to adress and sign a copy and mail it to me..

Here's a suggested form I have used as a motivation letter.

*************************************************************
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE
EMAIL

DATE

Central Firearms Register
Private Bag X 811
Pretoria
South Africa
0001

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please be informed that I, YOUR NAME, a United States citizen, USA Passport Number XXXXXXXXXX (expiry xx July, 200x), residing at YOUR ADDRESS, USA will be hunting with NAME OF SAFARI COMPANY, ADDRESS OF SAFARI COMPANY [PHONE AND FAX OF SAFARI COMPANY]. My wife, WIFE'S NAME, a United States citizen, USA Passport Number XXXXXXXXX (expiry xx July, 200x) will be accompanying me.

The safari will be conducted by NAME OF PH, PH'S PROFESSIONAL HUNTER LICENSE NUMBER, PHONE # OF PH. The safari will be conducted between [beginning date and ending date of safari] on [name of concession(s)].

I will be hunting the following; [list animals to be hunted]. In order to conduct this hunt I will be using the following firearms; [list firearms maker, action (bolt, etc.), model number, serial number, calibre]. I will require xx rounds of ammunition for the .375 H&H rifle and xx rounds of ammunition for the .416 Remington Magnum.

[USE THIS PARAGRAPH IF HUNTING IN RSA]

I will need a Temporary Import Firearms Permit for South Africa as I will be arriving Johannesburg on [date] via [add Airline name, flight number and arrival time]. I will be departing Johannesburg on [date] via [add Airline name, flight number and departure time].

[USE THIS PARAGRAPH IF OVERNIGHTING IN RSA BEFORE CONTINUING ON TO A DIFFERENT COUNTRY - IN TRANSIT PERMIT]

I will need a Temporary Import Firearms Permit for South Africa as I will be arriving Johannesburg on [date] via [add Airline name, flight number and arrival time] and staying overnight at [Afton Guest House, ADDRESS, PHONE, CONTACT PERSON]. I will be departing Johannesburg International Airport for [add location, Harare, Zimbabwe -- Windhoek, Namibia, etc.] on [add date, Airline name, flight number and departure time]. On my return from [add country, Zimbabwe -- Namibia, etc.] on [add date, Airline name, flight number, arrival time], I will be again staying overnight at Afton Guest House before my return flight to the US on [add date, Airline name, flight number and departure time].

If you need anything further, please contact me at the number listed above.

Regards,

Your Name
*********************************************************************

Email me and I will send you a copy in Word Format. The Motivation Letter is part of your package that you give to them at the firearms desk. No need to send it to them in advance.

The Invitation Letter needs to be on the outfitter's letterhead and signed by the outfitter. It must include the following details:

Invitation Letter from the Hunting Outfitter - [This is supporting documentation from the Hunting Outfitter/company with whom the client will be hunting, to include full name of company, full contact details and address, dates and locations where the client will be hunting and confirming that the applicant will be using the specific firearms as applied for.]


Can you give me the web address for your outfitter, I would like to look at his suggested form for an Invitation Letter?

Regards,

Terry

P.S.
Be certain and read my previous post (above) where I have posted the information from PHASA. It sets out a detailed list of everything you need for your firearms import.

Email sent to the e-mail adress on your public profile.
Thanks Terry!