A while back I posted a discussion involving the SAPS Gun Permit. The subject of using FED EX was the topic of discussion. At the suggestion of my Travel Agent, Steve Turner, Traveling with Guns, I sent my paperwork to South Africa via USPS International Priority Mail. I just got word today that the paperwork arrived in South Africa and all is in order and they will process my application.

UPS told me that it would cost me a 142.00 for an approximate delivery time of 5 days. I did not go to FED EX as I was told it would be a higher fee. The cost of sending the paperwork to Johannesburg, South Africa via USPS was 13.00 and change! That is a substantial savings over 142.00. It took USPS International Mail about 10 days or so to get there. The key to all of this is to send your application six weeks or so in advance of your travel.

Just to be sure, I made a complete, original copy of the application that I would be carrying with me in case something went wrong. Hell, I could wait another hour to process my application if I had to. I sure as hell wish I could have been working for 129.00 per hour for the 37 years I was employed in Federal Law Enforcement.

Just don't forget that your former fellow Fed LEO's will require you to prove you owned your firearms when you left to bring them back into the only country with the Second Amendment.....

USPS is truly the only way to go for that paperwork. I've done it numerous times and never had the package take more than a week, even when sending paperwork to more remote locations in Southern Africa.

UPS and FEDEX are great for lots of things -- I use them often -- but for Africa, USPS just seems to have a better and more efficient system. And, LOTS less costly to the customer. (God only knows what it really costs)