There is a lengthy official document, supposedly blessed by the SA Police, posted on http://www.professionalhunters.co.za/

that describes in great detail the implications of the new act.



Some gems:



1. SAPS520 must be filled in BLACK ink and left UNSIGNED until you are actually in front of the official.

2. You have to be OVER 21.

3. Transiting passengers can only avoid this mess IF their airline agrees to check their bags through, which is normally only possible if the connecting airline and the originating airline have a baggage agreement, AND if you are going on to your final destination the SAME day.

4. You CAN get a semi-auto shotgun in but you must get your permit 21 days in advance.

5. You CAN get a hunting handgun in but you must have a letter from an "ASSOCIATION" in your home country stating that the handgun is for hunting purposes. I would be happy to start such an association if none exists (well the NRA but I doubt they are going to give you a personal letter; the other option would be SCI but not everyone is a member.) I will just put a template on my website and you can fill in the details and print out your own letter! Give me a day or two on this.

6. "Firearms must bear the manufacturer�s serial number or any other mark by which the firearm can be identified. The identification number must be stamped and the mark affixed in the prescribed manner on the barrel or the frame or the receiver of the firearm." I told you so!



Anyway, I leave the reading (it's a lot of pages) to you.

I received the following from PHASA today:-



12 August 2004



Dear PHASA Member:



We have just updated the PHASA Website (www.professionalhunters.co.za) with new information from the South African Police Service on the temporary importation of firearms into South Africa. The new information is also attached with this email. Also attached is a copy of the SAP 520 form which can be emailed to your clients.



While some of the requirements remain the same, there is some critical new information that you and your clients need to be aware of, so please make sure you/your clients read and are aware of all the information.



Regards,

Gary Davies

Chief Executive Director





Professional Hunters' Assn. of South Africa (PHASA)

P. O. Box 10264

Centurion 0046

South Africa

Tel: 27 12 667 2048

Fax: 27 12 667 2049

phasa@pixie.co.za







Updated August 2004



Requirements from 1 July 2004



Temporary Importation of Firearms into South Africa



Latest Information Received from the South African Police Service







Importation of Firearms (Updated � August 2004)



Visitors bringing firearms into South Africa for hunting purposes, will be asked to fill in a SAP 520 � Temporary Import Application which is available from your outfitter, or which can be downloaded off the SAPS Website at www.saps.gov.za, or which can be filled out on arrival. We would suggest filling in the form beforehand to save the processing time at the Police Office.



Instructions for Filling in SAP 520 Form



1. Black ink must be used to fill in the form.

2. The form must be left unsigned until the document is finalized in front of the police official issuing the actual permit.

3. Please note that not all sections of the form apply. Visitors bringing their own firearms in for hunting purposes should concentrate on filling in the following:

Section D � (temporary import or export permit)

Section E � 1 � 25.4

Section G

Section I � (Must fill in all details requested)

Section J - (remember do not sign until in front of police officer at firearm

office)



Additional Requirements along with the SAP 520 are the following:



1. Identity and Flight Details



a. Passport



b. Return Airline Ticket



2. Other Supporting Documentation



a. Proof of Ownership

Firearm licenses, documentary proof, etc. For USA Citizens, Customs Declaration Form 4457 (officially stamped) is acceptable





b. Proof of Export

Documentary proof of export from the country of origin



c. Motivation Letter from Client

This is a letter from the client stating that he is temporarily importing the referred to firearm/s for the purpose of hunting, to include that the firearm/s are required as he will be hunting

(list the species to be hunted), etc.



d. Invitation Letter from the Hunting Outfitter

This is supporting documentation from the Hunting

Outfitter/company with whom the client will be hunting, to include full name of company, full contact details and address, dates and location where the client will be hunting and confirming that the applicant will be using the specific firearms as applied for.



e. Any Other Supporting Documents



Firearms will be physically inspected to ensure the serial number(s) match those of the licenses (proof of ownership) and the application form. Ammunition will also be inspected.



For visitors clearing customs at the Johannesburg International Airport, please take note of the following procedure to be followed on arrival:



1. Clear passport control in the Terminal where your flight arrives (generally SAA and its co-partners at Terminal 2 and all other airlines at Terminal 1).

2. Proceed to baggage claim at the respective carousel. Pick up general baggage, then proceed to the respective Airline Help Desk to pick up firearm/s from the airline company and sign a receipt for the firearm/s. Ask the Airline Help Desk to direct you to the South African Police Firearm Office. Depending on the terminal where you arrive, they may need to escort you to the Office.

3. Proceed to the South African Police Firearm Office (Do not at this point proceed to customs)

4. On receipt of the temporary import permit at the SAPS Firearm Office, proceed to Customs, the Red Zone, where you declare the firearm/s and finish other custom clearance procedures.



For those visitors clearing customs at any of the other international points of entry, please take note of the relevant information made above which relates to documentation requirements, etc.



Please insure sufficient time is allowed to go through the temporary importation process and to clear customs. During the busy periods of the hunting season up to seventy clients may be needing permits at the same time. We would therefore recommend at least five (5) hours be set aside for this procedure and between connecting flights.



Firearm / Ammunition Allowances and Specifications



1. No more than one firearm per caliber and 200 rounds per firearm will be permitted. No ammunition for other rifle calibers will be permitted.



An exception to this may apply for shotguns where more than one of the same caliber may be allowed for bird hunting purposes if the client produces on arrival at the SAPS Gun Office an acceptable written motivation as to why more than one is required.



2. Firearms must bear the manufacturer�s serial number or any other mark by which the firearm can be identified. The identification number must be stamped and the mark affixed in the prescribed manner on the barrel or the frame or the receiver of the firearm.



3. Handguns will be allowed into the country, but only for hunting purposes. Any visitor wanting to bring in a handgun in this regard needs to have a letter from an association in the country of origin, stating the handgun will be used for hunting purposes.



4. Prohibited firearms which may NOT be imported into South Africa include:



a. Any fully automatic weapon



b. Any semi-automatic weapon



c. Handgun/s for self-defense



d. Weapons which fall under military categories



5. A semi-automatic shotgun for hunting purposes may be allowed if an application is made at least 21 days before arrival through the Central Firearms Register with a motivation letter as to why this type of firearm is required.



General Provisions:



1. Temporary Import Permits:



a.. May only be issued to a foreign visitor for the purpose of hunting



b. Will be issued subject to the requirements of the Act with regard to the carrying, storage, safe custody and transport of a firearm and ammunition



c. Subject to the use of the firearm only for the purpose set out in the permit



d. Subject to the fact that no person who holds a temporary import permit is allowed to transfer the firearm to another person in South Africa without prior written permission having been obtained from the Central Firearm Register.



e. Whenever the holder of a temporary import permit leaves the Republic of South Africa, the firearm in respect of which the permit is issued must accompany the holder of the permit



f. Possession of no more than the quantity of cartridges determined by the Registrar and specified on the permit for each firearm in respect of which the temporary import permit applies



g. A Temporary Import Permit shall not be issued for a period exceeding six months at a time



h. Applicant must be 21 or over



i. Should a firearm not be declared on arrival and a temporary import

permit not issued, you will face severe penalties and possible arrest on

departure from South Africa.



2. Applications for Temporary Import Permits can be made in advance to the Central Firearm Register. Ask your Hunting Outfitter to assist you in this regard.



3. Please ensure that your firearm/s arrive on the same flight as you do. This must be done with the airline company on departure. Your firearm/s may only be signed for by you and will not be released to your outfitter or professional hunter should it/they arrive on a separate flight. If the firearm/s do not arrive with the passenger, the passenger must proceed to his final destination in South Africa and apply at the closest Police Station for a Temporary Import Permit. When the Temporary Import Permit has been issued, the original permit with the keys to the rifle case must be couriered to the Border Post of entry. A

Transport Agent with transport permit must be appointed by the passenger. This Transport Agent must have a letter from the passenger instructing him/her

to transport the firearm/s to the passenger in person. The firearm/s will be inspected by the Police at the Port of entry and the firearm/s and permit will be handed to the transporter to be transported to the passenger.



4. Please do not pay for any service regarding the handling of firearms at Johannesburg International Airport, or any port of entry. The issuing of the SAP 520 is a free service and the South African Police Service asks clients not to pay anybody involved in handling firearms from the time of arrival in South Africa right through until you receive your firearm/s and the permit from the SAPS. Clients that are paying the various airline staff, security staff, or porters involved are actually creating a problem. Please note however there is a handling fee charged by airlines and/or security companies for the handling of handguns, and some airlines have started charging a handling fee for all firearms. We suggest checking with your airline with regard to any �official� fees that may be required.



5. There is no permit required, nor any charge by the South African Police Service for a bow. Handling fees are charged by airline and/or security companies for bows and handguns.



6. Please note that NO firearms will be held for safekeeping by the SAPS. If a client brings in a prohibited firearm, brings in more than what is allowed, or lacks the necessary documentation and his request for a temporary import permit is denied, the involved firearms must be exported immediately by the client or voluntarily surrendered to the State.





In Transit Passengers (Transiting South Africa)



It is critical that you check with and confirm with the airline/s involved before departure to make sure what their procedure is for the transfer of baggage and/or firearms.



If the airline does transfer your baggage/firearms, and you have booked them through to the final destination, and you stay in the in-transit area and do not clear South African customs, then you need not go through the temporary import process.



If your airline company will not transfer your baggage/guns to your connecting airline/flight, then you must collect your baggage/firearm/s and go through the entire entry process. If this is the case, the South African limitations, requirements, etc. will apply.



This also applies if you are overnighting in South Africa before flying on to your country of destination.



That's the end of the PHASA info. My comments follow:



.........don't like that bit about surrender to the state.



I've spoken to 3 DFOs (Designated Firearms Officers)in recent days and all have told me that THEIR instructions are that after Jan 1 05 all firearms should have the serial numbers on the 3 locations. Russ, I hope you are right, but I would hate to see hunters having to surrender valuable and much loved firearms to the state for sale or destruction for not having the numbers on all 3 places. All I can do is my best. If I hear any more news from either side I'll post what I hear. Nothing more and nothing less. But it already seems that every individual is interpreting the act in thir own way.

Someone previously posted that the Afrikans language version says "and" instead of "or".

This may become a moot point for me, if I can't carry a handgun for personal protection then there are lots of other countries where I would feel safer.