What are the current regs for traveling to Africa with ammo? I know it neds to be in factory containers but is there anything else such as a lockable container. I leave for Zimm on 8/24 and this was just brought up.

Als0 what is the proper procedure for tipping the PH?

The regs are factory containers or like boxes with cartridge seperators...No need for a locked box just in your check in luggage, not in your rifle case with the guns...some have interpeted putting a locked ammo can in the gun case is a seperate container and meets airline specs, but playing such games can ruin an expensive hunt in a hurry, so why risk it, just do what we have been doing for years, ammo in your clothes bag and guns in your gun case...That is traveling from the US to Africa.

Rich, to be on the safe side I spread all ammo
between two cases 1/2 of each ammo in both bags.. That way if one bag lost any ammo is better then no ammo...
This happened to me and it took 3 days to catch up...
I put ammo in clear plastic cases and label and vaccuum pack them

Mike

There was a post recently titled August FFL Newsletter re:ammuniciton in transit. This come from that post:

Any ammunition transported must be placed in checked baggage and securely packed in fiber (such as cardboard), wood or metal boxes or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Firearm magazines/clips do not satisfy the packaging requirement unless they provide a complete and secure enclosure of the ammunition (e.g., by securely covering the exposed portions of the magazine or by securely placing the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster or lanyard). The ammunition may also be located in the same hard-sided case as the firearm as long as it is properly packed as described here.

here is a link to that entire post.
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/571103213

and don't forget you have a 11# limit on ammo. the note from retreever on splitting ammo is really good. I almost lost a hunt due to having all my ammo in a lost bag.

Different airlines have different rules but if they will let it be with your rifles that is a mighty good place to put it. Only one bag to lose. If ammo is in one bag and rifles in another either one's loss puts you in a tight place. If all in one, they lose or find your rifles your ammo is right there. Good hunting.

My recent trip to Zim was uneventful as far as the traveling was concerned with one exception. I bought a cheap lockable case for my ammo. Placed in separate luggage from the rifle, told the checkin clerks, went over to TSA were they watched me and condoned my locking the container of ammo. When I opened my luggage in Zim, the lock was pried off and opened. I also had a shirt and pants missing but the ammo was all there in their containers. Guess they liked the bush shirt and pants. Fortunately I also carry a set in my carry on so I had enough. Go figure.

I sure wouldn't carry the ammo in the gun case. On my return from Namibia my ammo was removed from the gun case in Frankfurt and shipped over later. Had that happened on the way to Namibia we would have been in trouble.

It seemed like a great way to pack it and it worked on the way over but from now on my ammo will be in my baggage not my gun case.

My post that Snakelover quotes is a direct copy of a letter from the Transportation Safety Administration. Shipping your ammunition separate from the firearm is not a legal requirement. Shipping it in two different pieces of luggage is only a good idea if you are guaranteed that your rifles will arrive. Since that's impossible, what's the point? Put the whole mess, along with your clothes in a Tuffpak, (except for those things, like medication that you dare not loose) and ship it. Either it arrives or it doesn't. Since the odds of it arriving in one complete set are quite good, you have no problem. If you do lose the entire package, buy a new kit in Africa, borrow guns and ammo from your PH and go hunting. Let the airlines insurance policy deal with the loss.

The absolute essentials go in your carry-on.

Airlines differ somewhat and African laws also differ to a degree and that creates confusion but to be safe:

1. It is illegal to carry ammo in your guncase, contrary to some reports, at least on most airlines..It is required to be seperated...

2. 11 lbs of ammo is safe no matter what, but is not consistant with African laws such as Tanzania where only a 100 rounds is allowable by law, but seldom enforced...so go with 11 pounds.

3. Ammo is to be stored in boxes with partitions such as factory ammo...and carried in your check on clothes luggage, not with your guns.

4. If you hunt with Atkinson Hunting, then these are the requirements we make of you the client...

Also most clients should travel light. One clothes bag, and one gun case plus a carry on. Reasoning behind this is the charter flight wherein weight is a problem...Every charter has camp supplies flown in with you and your luggage...

Example: I take my guns out of my tuff pak and charter them in in soft cases, put everything I don't need in camp in my tuff pak in the hotel storage vault (Seacliff in Tanz).. I take one suitcase, carry on and two guns in soft cases on the charter flight.

Remember in many cases the charter flight is at the clients expense and added to the quoted price, If the Safari company has to lease a larger plane then the client is charged for the larger plane.....Keep that in mind..We don't do that but we also advise the client ahead of time how to pack...I have seen and heard of this happening many times in the past...

Traveling with Firearms and Ammunition

Regards,

Terry

It probably won't surprise anyone that being flexible when traveling with firearms and ammo is important.

An example, I had flown from the USA, into and out of London with the ammo in a locked pistol case in my duffel bag. When I check in Jo'burg to go to Harare, the SAA gate agent tells me that my ammo must be in my guncase. I told her that I didn't think that was correct, she insisted and I had to put my ammo in my guncase. When I take my guncase to security, they tell me that the ammo can't be in my guncase. Well my duffel bag is already checked in. The security guys were nice enough to let it pass. Honestly, I don't know which of them was correct (security or the gate agent).

Regards,

Terry