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Bringing Rifles into RSA and Namibia?

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26 June 2011, 15:30
larrys01
Bringing Rifles into RSA and Namibia?
I was asked this question and I'm not sure what the correct answer is.
The regs state you cannot bring two rifles of the same Caliber in! I know you cannot bring for intance two .300 Win Mags, but can you bring a .300 Weatherby and a .308 which are both .30 Cal. or a 7mm Mag and a 7mm-08 which are both 7mm? Confused



26 June 2011, 15:54
Gusteaux
Leaving later this morning for our fourth trip into Namibia. So far, the Namibian Police/Customs office has been very hunter friendly.

The temp firearm import form is 1 page per traveler, and all they have checked/verified has been the serial number and "caliber" stamping on the barrel. They don't care that a 45-70, 450Marlin or 458 Win Mag use the same diameter bullet as long as the stampings say different things.

Funny experience was the first year we went and I was getting my 4577 from the local US Customs office. I put "45-70 Govt" on the form and the US Customs agent seemed...concerned that I had a "military" rifle. After giving him a 10 min history lesson on the 45-70 and he did a quick internet search, he signed the form. The Namibian Police never batted an eye. I've since redone the forms and dropped the "Govt".
26 June 2011, 16:07
Grumulkin
quote:
Originally posted by larrys01:
I was asked this question and I'm not sure what the correct answer is.
The regs state you cannot bring two rifles of the same Caliber in! I know you cannot bring for intance two .300 Win Mags, but can you bring a .300 Weatherby and a .308 which are both .30 Cal. or a 7mm Mag and a 7mm-08 which are both 7mm? Confused


The traditional definition of caliber would be bore diameter whereas common usage has, unfortunately, degenerated the definition to cartridge type. If you're lucky, whoever issues the permit will go by the looser definition but I wouldn't count on that happening.
26 June 2011, 16:08
larrys01
I agree on the Namibia part. I suspect that is the best country in Africa for importing/exporting your firearms.
Not sure about RSA?



26 June 2011, 16:32
shakari
Larry,

The SA Act says same calibre therefore technically you couldn't take a .308 and a .300 Wea for example....... Whether the SAPS guys at the airport would realise both rifles are of the same calibre when they had different designations is another matter.

To be 110% sure though, better to take something like a .308 and a .270.






26 June 2011, 16:44
larrys01
quote:
To be 110% sure though, better to take something like a .308 and a .270.


I agree. Just wondered if anyone had any experience with this?



26 June 2011, 17:12
chuckmaxman
I agree with Shakari. You get the wrong guy and you will be hunting with one rifle.