I just got this info off the SCI Newsletter I receive weekly.
I also have had 6 hunters use it so far this year and all went off with any delays. So far so good.


PHASA Advises Early Form Submission
The required form that allows foreign individuals to enter the RSA with their firearms is the SAP form 520. Normally it takes anywhere from 2 - 4 hrs to get firearms checked through customs, but now PHASA is marketing a service of registering your firearm early that will help to expedite your time spent in South Africa's airports. This service is available for $110 from the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa website, www.phasa.co.za . Click on "General Hunting Information", then "Temporary Importation of Firearms," and you will see step by step instructions to walk you through the process of filling out for your SAP 520. Other organizations in South Africa offer this service as well so as always, check with your outfitter before leaving for your hunt.

Does it really still take 2-4 hours to get through customs?

I went 2 years ago and was only there maybe 45 min.

Riflepermits.com will get your permit issued in advanced and escort you to the SAPS office upon arrival in Joburg. They need 15-21 days to get the permit and it's about $90, I think.

Haven't had any problems with them thus far.

www.riflepermits.com

I forgot to add in my original post that they were only there in the Permit office for 25 minutes.

It only took me 25 - 30 minutes to get my form and that was with a new officer filling everything out. I was his training case and he was a slow typest. We did some monetary exchanges and visited with the other hunters. Time went very quickly.

I was in SA in April and had no problems with my rifle BUT I did fill in the SAPS form ahead of time and had all the papers ready ie I did my homework.

Last year was a different story...but they seem to have cleaned up their act a lot.

Hey, PHASA has been doing this for at least three years, nothing new. PHASA is also more $$ than riflepermits.com. who I have used in the past.

My last trip, arriving RSA on 22 may 07 on Air France, I was the only one with guns. I did it on my own and was out in less than 20 minutes. Now, if flying SAA or Delta from the states, where there are many more hunters, then the times do get rather long-- say 60-90 minutes as long as the hunters have all the required paperwork.

So, do your homework, fill in the forms correctly, and you will have no problems. If flying Delta or SAA, and if you have a tight connection (anything less than 3 hours from touch down to take off)then use riflepermits.com or phahsa or air 2000. My vote goes to riflepermits.com. All need at least 21 days lead time to secure the permits.

Definitely better to arrive in the morning than the evening from what I can tell, and be advised that Riflepermits.Com is not a round-trip service, at least not for me. I ended up tracking down and clearing my own rifles on my return through Johannesburg, with an assist from someone from one of the other expediters...

Riflepermits.com did an excellent job for me on the front end though.

I just sent my package to PHASA. I arrive 20 July for my first safari. I have the paperwork here also and will take copies with me for backup. I really hope it goes well. I'm taking my wife and I HATE standing in lines-a career in the military made me that way.
Jeff

My PH referred me to HOLAsa for the same service. It costs $100 US, I hope it goes well, the company does a whole pile of things from the website including executive meet and greet all the way to aircraft maintenance.