Teriffic!!! I have been wondering just how "uneventful" a trip to S.A. might be as I'm leaving in about 2 weeks. I just hope mine is as uneventful as you'rs was. Lets see some pics

I did not have any problems or "drama" with my firearms. I entered and left South Africa, entered and left Zimbabwe, left and entered the USA. I took the following guns, my 450 No2 Double, my 9,3x74R Double and a S&W 4" 44 Magnum Revolver. The guns were in a Tuffpak, WITH ammo, and I had other ammo in my checked duffel. All ammo was in a locked Pelican hardcase. At DFW I placed the required signed unloaded firearms form in the Tuffpak and checked my baggage all the way to Jo'berg. I did not have to show the ticket agent that the guns were unloaded. My duffel was locked wth a TSA padlock, but as far as I could tell it was not opened. I had 2 rifle scopes and binos in my carry on. No problems there either.
On arrival in Johannesburg my rifle was delivered to the SAPS office by airport personel. There were 2 Outside the office guys and a guy and gal inside the office. There were about 60 or so of us at the SAPS office. One of the "outside guys" looked at your rifle case,your passport and wrote something down on a form and placed your rifle case in line. There were several people that were pressd for time due to connecting flights. I and some other hunters talked to the "outside guys" and the hunters with connecting flights were allowed to go first. There was a sign on the entrance to the SAPS office which stated you needed to present your guns ,ammo and proof of ownership to the officals inside. It was quickly decided by the officals that "The office is so small, and there are so many of you that you do not need to present you ammo for inspection.
It took me a little over 2 hours to get insede the SAPS office. I showed the official my Passport, form 4473 form SAPS 311 and the guns where he checked the serial numbers. When he saw they were doubles he asked "shotguns" I replied "no rifles". He did not even blink when I pulled out the 44. He filled out form SAPD/SAPS 312. He asked how much ammo I had and I pointed to the kind and amounts I had written on the form 311, he copied it down. Then he asked for some money [The sum of $20.00 US had been floating around outside] so the baksheesh was given. I asked about a "carry permit" for the 44 while I was in South Africa, both he and the frmale in the office said that the forum 312 covers that. They both said to carry the 44 on my person conceled or hidden in my pocket, not in the soft pistol case I had it in. Then the Outside guy took me over to Customs. When we got to Customs the Customs official asked for my gun paperwork, the outside guy noticed that it had not been stamped, he ran back to the office, got it stamped and ran it back to me. He then signaled the customs guy, who was searching a ladies bags, took me around the line and I was "waived" through customs. I had previously tipped both outside guys [as I tip any baggage handler] and must say I recieved excellent service. All the SAPS officials were very nice. The individual process did not take long there were just so many of us.
I went through a differfent process 2 days later when I left for Zimbabwe. One fellow who rolled my rifle case and escorted me to the outgoing firearms office did get a little pushy for his tip. It qwas quite a long walk and he would have gotten more if he had not ben so pushy. I was able to show the outgoing official just my paper work and did not have to unpack the guns. He recieved a tip as it was well worth not having to pull the guns out or dig out the ammo. I also asked him to be sure and see that my rifle case got on the plane. It did.
In Zimbabwe I paid the required $30.00US entrance visa fee, and proceded to firearms check in. I showed a lady the guns where she wrote down the serial numbers and ammo amounts. She did not look at the ammo. We then had to go to the private plane dceparture terminal where the baggage was run through an X-Ray machine. No problems there. Then we went to the departure desk where the agent asked my videogtapher a Zimbabwe resident for our departure tax reciepts. When I asked how much it was he replied for him it is $4000, for a us citizen it is $25000. I said WHAT/!!! and began opening my Tuffpak to retrive my 44 revolver, when Ian told me that $25000 ZIM DOLLARS was 5 bucks US. That info saved us from having an International incident.
On leaving Zimbabwe we had to wait while they found the Firearms departure guy. He took my Zim paper work and bid me a safe trip home. I politely explained how tighely every thing was packed and he did not require me to show him the guns. I took my baggage to the ticket counter and checked them all the way to Antlanta. Upon arrival in Atlanta the gal at Customs looked at the 44, she asked where the serial number was and looked at the number on the 450 No2 and compared them with the 4473. The Chapuis has to be broken down to see the number, she looked at the brand name and compared it to the 4473 and said "Thats good". She did not look inside any of my bags. I had declared some wine and some Amarula and a few things bought, but she did not ask to see them. She did ask if I had ammo inside the tuffpak and I as I had packed what was left in the Duffle I replied "NO". I then had to step in the bucket of shoe spray as I was wearing my hunting boots. Others were having their boots sprayed and placed in plastic bags.
I then checked my baggage to DFW. And here was the only nervous part of the trip. My Tuffpak did not come off the plane at DFW. The clerk did some checking and thought it might have gone out on another plane from South Africa that was landing in about 3 minutes. The only problem is that the baggage carousel was at the other end of the airport.
I loaded my baggage into my car and drove to the other end of the delta terminal just in time to see a baggage handler sitting my Tuffpac down in the oversise baggage area. As I walked over there he walked away. I picked up my Tuffpak and wheeled it out to my car. no questions asked. There were several other oversized cases there but none looked of use to me as they all looked like they contained golf clubs.
End result nothing lost or damaged.

450 NE #2,

Ain't it fun? Glad you made it home with out any drama. The "teaser" of your hunt sounds interesting and I can wait for the full report and the photos. When are you circulating the video and what happened to the PH Ivan Carter? Paying the "tips" will no doubt open you up to critical comments from Alf and other members, but a tough old salt like you will let it roll off your back. Now you will look at each expediture and equate it to a trophy fee. Did you pay a deposit for you next hunt before you left?

I may have to take a road trip and buy you a drink or 6 just to get a post hunt briefing.

Take care buddy.

Perry

We just got back from RSA a couple of days ago. I had printed out the SAPS 311 forms and completed them before arriving in RSA. We were second or third in line to go in the police office for processing. The woman there checked the serial numbers on the guns against the form, asked for a signature, stamped the form and issued a permit. No ammo was counted or inspected and no money changed hands. We were up in the arrival lobby of the airport less than 45 minutes after leaving the plane!

Ivan had something personal come up and he could not hunt durring my trip. I am actually already making plans for next year and for a really big trip in 2006 after I retire.
As far as the "tips", many countries operate rather openly on the baksheesh, where it is not considered a bribe but payment for services rendered. Also what some people might call extortion, such as in Mexico when a person asks to "Guard" your car for you while you are in a resturant, it is a nominal fee and your car will be there and safe when you get back to it, once again services rendered. I only had the one person get pushy and I quickly put him in his place. Besides my bags are always heavy, and anybody who carries them around deserves a tip for sure.
You pay a firearm entry fee in several countries, Canada and Tanzania to name two. I would rather see the people doing the work get the money than some despot. Also some of the hunters did not have their paperwork "quite" right, at least one person with their son had 2 rifles of the same caliber, and or not enough people over 21 for the number of rifles they had. The SAPS officials were in good humor and such "minor" problems were rectified with out a great deal of difficulty.

Everyone must do what they think is best, but giving "officials" tips just promotes their unethical behavior.

Giving the luggage pusher a tip is even worse. The last, and hopefully last, time I had to stay over in Joburg, the guy insisted on $20 after pushing the cart to the ticket/gun office. I told him to stuff it, or something similar.

You guys with a lot of disposable income are doing us poor guys a disservice.

I appreciate the info. Thanks for sharing. I also tip quite often. It sure has helped me move through the airport in Jo-berg.

Regards, PG

When 1115 and I arrived in Jo'burg three weeks ago, we were met by Louis' guy (Afton House) before we even got off the jetway. He went out on the tarmac and got our guns, put us in the front of the line, helped fill out paperwork and got us out of the airport in 10 minutes... other guys may still be there.

Leaving RSA for Zim several days later was routine. When we flew back in to Jo'burg and the a/c parked at a remote location... God bless Louis again... the fellow met us coming down the ramp... grabbed our stuff... and this is before the bus even left for the terminal. No baggage had arrived on the belts, but ours, having been hand delivered, was first.. I never even went into the permit room...

Afton House's service is amazing. I've never spent 30 minutes in the airport with 6 trips through Jo'burg under my belt. Cost $40 I believe if you don't r.o.n. at Afton..... less if you do. Send an e-mail to www.aftonguesthouse.com and inquire. Peace of mind is worth it.