could anyone tell me how to take firearms and ammo from Australia to Zimbabwe ? what the laws ,regulations are ? i talked to some people about it but their answer didnt inspire much confidence,thanks

Don't now about getting them out of Australia (or back into Australia). If you are flying through South Africa and are overnighting, then go to PHASA Website and click on "General Hunting Information" then click on "Importation of Firearms" for the rules about clearing South African customs.

If you aren't clearing customs in South Africa, then you just have to acquire a Zimbabwe Visitor's Firearms Permit at your point of entry into Zimbabwe. I had already filled out the Vistor's Firearms Permit before I arrived in Harare (in 2003), but to the best of my memory, I didn't use it. The Zimbabwe Customs officer filled out a new one and I signed it.

Best to check with your Zimbabwe outfitter for the most current rules.

Regards,

Terry

Velo

You will need to get an export permit from customs for your firearm(s), and ammunition. Add anything like scopes to the permit as well. Also an import permit to get them back in.

The customs procedures are pretty easy but don't leave it to the last minute. Give them a phone call and I have found them helpful enough in the past.

In South Australia I believe I had to phone the Firearms Branch whom arrange the permit for you. It is mostly a formality.

You will also need to contact the airline you will use to ensure you have permission to carry the firearm and ammunition as checked luggage. Qantas as a phone number/contact or two that do this for you and they supply you with a permission letter to carry the items in your luggage.

As Terry says there is also the procedures for the African country or countries as well. Your outfitter should be able to help you with what is required there, but it is wise to double check by eg searching internet forums for info.

Added: I re-read your post and you are going to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is pretty easy but you may have to enter South Africa as well when flying through Jo'burg, so make sure you cover it if stopover in Jo'burg.

What has your outfitter told you to do?

thanks for your replies ,he has not really told me anything ,iam going to Mozambique ,he said he will take care of everything for Mozambique[permits ,paperwork,licenses etc]its the getting to Zim ,iam concerned about, iam flying by both Qantas and south african airlines ,they told be ''the bolt must be out of the rifle '' and ammunition ''seperate container '',they just seemed a bit vaque about it,i just dont want to get to Zim and find out my guns have not arrived, two days before the hunt because some dill ,at Qantas or SAF did not tell me the right info

Do you guys still have any guns left there in OZ? I saw this on the net the other day and was wondering?

40,000 guns seized in crackdown
February 10, 2005
From: AAP


MORE than 40,000 weapons were seized in crackdowns across New South Wales, the state's police commissioner Ken Moroney said today.

Mr Moroney said NSW police carried out a big audit and compliance check of all firearms in NSW last year.

He said the audit, combined with the NSW Government's gun buyback, had seized 43,000 weapons, most of which were firearms.

In total, 185,000 licensed firearm holders were identified, holding about 600,000 registered firearms between them, he said.

Mr Moroney said that, as part of the blitz, thousands of weapons were destroyed because police were not satisfied that the firearms were being kept securely, or that "possession of that firearm was necessarily further warranted".

"Some 43,000 weapons were seized and subsequently destroyed by NSW police during (20)03-04," he said.

Mr Moroney said a number of private security firms had closed following a police audit of the industry.

"We're working with the security industry of course in terms of the ballistic testing of all firearms in possession of the security industry itself," the commissioner said.

"... We've sought to apply a strong audit and compliance regime with the industry itself.

"As a consequence of that a number of private security firms have had to close down.

"We're not satisfied with the level of security that they've been taking."

The security industry had strongly supported the police actions, he said.

Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec said so far this year six guns had been stolen from security guards compared to about 10 last year and more than 60 in 2003.

quote:

Originally posted by velodog:
thanks for your replies ,he has not really told me anything ,iam going to Mozambique ,he said he will take care of everything for Mozambique[permits ,paperwork,licenses etc]its the getting to Zim ,iam concerned about, iam flying by both Qantas and south african airlines ,they told be ''the bolt must be out of the rifle '' and ammunition ''seperate container '',they just seemed a bit vaque about it,i just dont want to get to Zim and find out my guns have not arrived, two days before the hunt because some dill ,at Qantas or SAF did not tell me the right info

Back on topic.

1. Flying with South African Airlines and Qantas with firearms is simple.

For Qantas there is a phone number to call to arrange the firearm to be carried. You will receive a letter confirming permission to carry the firearms and ammo.

South African Airlines - search their website to see what it says about firearms, print out any requirements. ALSO telephone them and find out what they require. I have flown with them and it was pretty standard.

Firearm in a locked hard case. Bolt removed from firearm. I kept it in the same case inside a sock for padding. Ammo under 5 kgs (I think?) and in original manufacturers packaging (or in a MTM type case guard). What they are looking for is each cartridge must be separated from the others by plastic or cardboard. Ammo in a different locked checked bag. If travelling alone take a gun case plus a normal bag, duffel etc. The airlines are usually cool about two bags and extra weight if you are carring firearms as they don't want hassles. EXCEPT for F@&%ing Jo'burg where they hit me for excess luggage fees at the departures area BEFORE you even get to "service" desks.

2. Phone your State Firearms branch and/or customs and ask them what is required. Arrange for a B709 export permit for your firearms and ammunition. Also list any accessories such as scopes to be careful.

You will also require one of these as an IMPORT permit to get them back in.

Take photcopies of them all.

3. South Africa. If you need to enter South Africa on the way, check out Terry's comments

4. Mozambique - no idea

5. I found Zimbabwe easy but I had the details of the outfitter there I would be hunting with. Have to look back to see if the permits were pre-arranged or done at the airport.

Are you heading to Mozambique via Zimbabwe, I don't understand? Or hunting both?

BTW What are you hunting?

Velo

Check out this thread on the African forum

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1411043/m/419105702

If itwas me I would consider using a service such as Optima.

Just a correction. To export firearms it is a Restricted Goods Export permit which is from Customs. The cops have nothing to do with it.

The B709A is for import only.

Nitro X ,thankyou for your advice and help ,iam flying into joburg ,then to zim ,then going from there, to hunt only in Moz ,iam going for elephant ,hippo ,crocodile ,maybe some plainsgame and cow buff ,taking two guns ,i just want to be sure ,when iam spending this much cash ,that i dont end up minus two guns and up shits creek with my face in the water