What about ammo only?

22 December 2005, 06:42

This is only a hypothetical question.

You are going on safari you do not wish to endure any headaches traveling with a firearm entails. A friend leaving from another point of origin is meeting you there. He suggests he lends you a rifle. You have used this gun before and are quite comfortable with it. In fact you like this gun alot and wish this guy would sell it to you. The friend only asks you to bring as much ammo as the law allows in exchange for the use of the rifle. He will also be carrying ammo for the gun. You both plan to leave the surplus (which there will surely be) with the PH. He has a gun of the same caliber, and you figure it's a nice gift.

Two questions:

1. Will only carrying ammo make it worse or better for the firearmless individual going through customs?

2. Is leaving the surplus behind a legitimate thing to do?

22 December 2005, 07:09

Steve

Can't say that this is uncommon or common, but on the way back from my first trip we were talking to a father and son in Capetown (I think). We were in the international transit. Both we and the father and son were discussing our recent trip's to Zim when a security official came and got the son. He had given his rifle to the father to return to the U.S. with, as he was going some place else (maybe another part of the U.S.).

The security guys were concerned that his bag had shown ammo when x-rayed and he wasn't traveling with guns. He had to go with the security guy and clear everything up. Can't remember how it all fell out. But I could see how that bit of hassle could easliy become a major hassle.

-Steve

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22 December 2005, 08:13

MARK H. YOUNG

The secret is to "Declare" the ammo when checking your luggage. Sadie always carries half my ammo and it has been no problem in RSA, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia or Tanzania. In fact in Tanznaia we brought ammo only and rented guns but made sure we filled out the appropriate paperwork. Of course don't take my word for it but check out the regs. for whatever country you are traveling to. I think it may be a non-issue if you jump through the right hoops.

Mark

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22 December 2005, 08:16

onefunzr2

Max amount allowed on airlines is about 11 pounds of ammo. Depending on caliber, that is a lot of individual rounds.

I was asked upon entering Namibia how many loaded rounds I was bringing in to their country. Also asked how many loaded rounds I'm taking home with me when leaving. It might sound fishy to take in, say 100 rounds and then presume to have fired them all while there. Just food for thought.

22 December 2005, 08:27

T.Carr

1. I believe it is illegal to import any ammunition into RSA for which you do not have a corresponding firearm. Don't know about other countries.

2. It is a violation of US Federal law to leave any ammunition or firearm which you have temporarily exported from the US (without a permit). [Difficult for US Customs to catch you on this, since you don't declare the ammunition upon departure from the US].

Regards,

Terry

Msasi haogopi mwiba [A hunter is not afraid of thorns]

22 December 2005, 09:07

shakari

Tery is quite right and it's also illegal in RSA to leave ammo behind with anyone - but again it would be hard to check if you claimed you just shot all your ammo.

....... But that's only for RSA. You really need to specify which African country as each one has it's own set of firearms laws.....

22 December 2005, 09:44

Matt Norman

If you've made the decision not to take your own rifles then go ahead and leave ammo behind too. In lieu of the ammo put an extra c-note ( or even two!) in your pocket and present it at the other end.

As you breeze through customs and the airport you will appreciate the decision.

P.S. I have made six trips to Africa with guns/ammo and one without. I was in RSA on 9/11 and have grown weary of the "gun hassle". All future trips will be without.

22 December 2005, 17:51

loboga

A South African friend of mine visited here and bought a couple boxes of .250 Savage to take back as they couldn't find them down there. He was traveling around the US and nine times out of nine times he was pulled out of line for "random" checks. He is an average looking middle aged white guy, so where the PH traveling with him and me too and we were NEVER "random" checked once.

23 December 2005, 02:21

ROSCOE

As Terry stated, I doubt you would be able to bring the ammo into SA if you do not have the gun to match. The permit you get in SA lists both Gun and Ammo amount.

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24 December 2005, 20:19

TheBigGuy

Thanks for all the replies. Like I said, only a hypothetical question.

Since it is illegal to import ammo into RSA without the associated firearm sure looks like the headstamp issue for wildcat rounds is a real concern.

24 December 2005, 20:53

ROSCOE

I have used my 338-06 in SA on two hunts. All my brass is 30-06 and have never had a problem. Not saying I never will but in all my trips they never opened my clear ammo slips to inspect the ammo. I have them taped up and type a label stating 338-06 in big black type. Since they can see the ammo through the plastic all I have had them do is verify the count.