"At lease RSA is only fingerprinting people carrying firearms. Here, we seem to be fingerprinting everyone! Sheesh!"

Only because they are too poor to afford the right equipment! Plus don't doubt a lot of this is being driven by certain foreign aid dollars.

Gerald Conway says that the Ministry states they will have the SPS 250 (or 520, whichever) on the SPS website within a couple of weeks so that tourists will be able to show up at the Customs desk with their 4457, SPS 311 and SPS 250 all filled out and in hand. That should speed up the process immensely.

1 July 2004



New Requirements from 1 July 2004



Temporary Importation of Firearms into South Africa



Further our release of 25 June with regard to the above, the current situation is the following:



With the implementation of the new Regulations to the Firearms Control Act of 2000 today, 1 July 2004, there are changes to the process for clients involving the temporary import of firearms for hunting purposes into South Africa as well as for in-transit permits. Please make sure that you read and take note of the following important information.



Foreign Hunting Clients are regarded as very important to South Africa and can be reassured that the South African Police Service (SAPS) will act as reasonably as possible in the implementation of the new requirements of the Firearm Control Act and Regulations from today, 1 July 2004, having a transitional period where the old Act will be phased out and the new Act implemented. During this period the requirements of the old Act (as have been in force for the past several years) will be adhered to, together with completion of the applicable sections of the new SAP520 Application Form (available on arrival), as well as finger prints of the index finger for identification purposes.



With the change over, and it being the busiest time of the hunting season, clients need to be aware that the processing time may take longer than normal but to please have patience as the Police are working to streamline the process.



At the same time, PHASA is busy working with the SAPS to ascertain the requirements that will be phased in under the new Regulations and once we have these confirmed we will email them as well as post them on the PHASA website. In the meantime, as noted above, the old requirements still apply and we will appreciate you advising your members/clients/readers of the situation.



Gary Davies

Chief Executive Director

Professional Hunters� Association of South Africa (PHASA)

Tel: 27 12 667 2048

Fax: 27 12 667 2049

Email: phasa@pixie.co.za or info@phasa.co.za

www.professionalhunters.co.za