This might be of some interest to our hunting guests !!

Cheers, Peter
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Africa Hunting : South Africa: Johannesburg International Airport and foreign hunters
on 2010/8/10 5:44:07

Ever since the implementation of the new Firearms Act on 1 July 2004, professional hunters and outfitters have been complaining bitterly about the services rendered by the police at Johannesburg International Airport.

Delays varying between one to five hours reputedly occur on a regular basis. Many foreign hunters from America and Europe have indicated that they will not visit South Africa again because of these delays with firearm documentation at Johannesburg International Airport.

The South African Police Service has therefore launched a new incentive at Johannesburg International to ensure from their side that South Africa retains its position as a prime hunting destination. Working very closely with Commissioner Mawela, Superintendent Malepa, as the commander of the firearm office of this Airport, has managed to secure a new area in the main building and specifically in the terminal 1 designated area.

A spacious firearm office in the terminal 1 area has just been completed. Within this area or office special safe-keeping facilities have also been established. The basic procedure for the arrival of hunting weapons from any country will be as follows: Firearms will be removed from the aircraft by security and brought to the firearm office via a special reception section in the firearm office. There the firearms will be kept under lock and key.

The hunter on the other hand will first go through emigration, then collect his/her luggage, proceed through customs and then move on to terminal 1 and the firearm office. There the hunter will be issued with his/her firearms after a check to ensure that the serial numbers and make correlate with the personal data of the hunter. The final step is the issuing of the SAP 525 or temporary import permit.

Documents required from the hunter are: copies of his/her passport, the air ticket issued by the airline as well as any document which verifies the firearms as being the property of the hunter from his/her country of origin. The letter of invitation from the outfitter to the client prior to the hunt is also essential.

As a token of our support for the new incentive from the South African Police Service, African Outfitter has donated couches, a coffee machine as well as a DVD player and TV for this area. The sole purpose of this donation is to make the foreign hunter feel at home right at the airport.

Outfitters and professional hunters are invited to supply African Outfitter with photos and videos of hunts to enable us to compile a promotional DVD on South Africa as a hunting destination. This DVD will be played 24/7 in this new comfortable reception area.

After meetings with Commissioner Mawela, Superintendent Malepa, Inspector Mothapo, Mr Shadrack Moletsane and Captain Roeloffse, African Outfitter staff left the Johannesburg International Airport convinced that these people are totally dedicated to rendering a highly efficient service to overseas clients in future.

In fact, Superintendent Malepa vowed that no foreign hunters would ever be delayed again, which in the past has resulted in hunters missing a connecting flight.

Well, if it's true, it's about time. They need to quit " cutting off their nose to spite their face"


Mad Dog

I went through there about six weeks ago with no problems whatsover. There were several other hunters going through at the same time and all cleared easily.

I have been through Jo Berg 3 times with my guns[had a hand gun all 3 times] and one time with friends guns.

The first time took 3 hours, big line of hunters. Once I presented my guns and aper work 12 min max.

Rest of the time was at the "new" Police Station.

No problems, fast freindly service.

BUT, I did have ALL my paper work in order.

There has been a booklet from the South African Police Service circulated recently regarding the process of tempory importation.

Hunter associations as well as the S A Gunowners Association have noticed some technical faults with the SAPS booklet and well known local gun attorney Martin Hood has addressed the authorities in this regard.

I do not know how to attach PDF docs to AR posts, but I have placed it for viewing on the BASA forums. You can view the post here and open the pdf from the 2nd post:

BASA Forums

Didn't they "just" do something similar a few years ago- ie streamlined, dedicated office?

I remember when the SAPS area was two rooms off in a corner, then they switched to an office outside of customs..

How far is terminal 1 from the Delta arrival gate - is it the same terminal?

In April this year on the way to Zim we flew through Jo Burg and it took 3.5 hours to get my guns.

Their answer was to go home and we will sort it toomorrow !!.
I said no way and I wasn't leaving the airport until I had my guns in hand.

Cheers Neale.

In the last five years that I have been regularly going to Africa via Johannesberg, I have never experienced any difficulties or delays at the Airport for my guns or otherwise.

i were there in 08, it went as smooth as it possibly could. but then again frederick from infinito were there to help them along the way

best

peter

Was there last month and no problems. Maybe that's because I always pay a service to obtain pre-approval of and expedite my gun permits!

There in 2009, hired a service to handle gun import. Was out of there in nothing flat.

I was there in april I used aubs458 member here it took me about 5 mins to clear others who did not use a vip service where taking a lot longer and had to visit the little room to the side to grease the proper palm