Getting ready for our next trip back to Namibia in Aug. Due to all luggage and guns being lost in J'Berg for 3-days and several hundred $$ in personal items stolen last year, and all calls, emails and letters (even registered) must be routed to the SAA black hole file, I will not travel again via J'berg or SAA.

Would like to go via Frankfurt and Air Namibia. Since there is already an 11-15 hour layover in Frankfurt, has anybody just stayed for an extra day or three in Frankfurt either with or without claiming thier guns, before going on to Windhoek?

We did the day hotel at the airport on the way to Namibia and Frankfurt Customs held our guns until we were ready to leave. As I remember, the gun cases came out in "oversized luggage" which was at one end of the baggage claim area. Then we went through the Customs gate and declared our guns, where they asked for our papers. I had checked on this beforehand and knew we didn't need papers unless we were staying in Germany. I explained this to the very polite officer who called his office and then led us to the Customs office. The office seemed a little confused on what to do, but after awhile they gave us a receipt and told us to stop back on our way to the departing flight. They held the guns and when it was time to go, we went back to Customs and they carried the guns to the flight. But, they would not let us take possession of them or watch them deliver the guns to Air Namibia. But, they were very polite and I didn't sense any hostility and our guns were waiting for us in Windhoek. But that was because we were changing Airlines in Frankfurt and had to get them from one airline to another. I think if you stay on one airline or if they have a baggage agreement with your connecting flight, the airline sends them on to Windhoek. You probably need to call the airline if you are going to stay in Frankfurt more than one day. Good Luck.

Not declaring your guns is likely to result in more than a couple extra days stay in Germany. Entering other countries with firearms is not something to be taken lightly. Follow the rules!

Sheephunter - you missed my point. I didn't say anything about not declairing the weapons. My quesiton is how long could I leave them with German Customs. In otherwords...could you check your checked bags and guns all the way through from the US to Windhoek. The flights from the US to Frankfurt all arrive in the morning and the follow on flights to Namibia leave Frankfurt that evening - that is why there is an 11-15 hour layover.

So, my question is has anybody checked guns all the way to Namibia via Frankfurt with a 24-48 hour layover in Frankfurt, did not claim or even touch the guns in Frankfurt.

I am in no way saying to not "declaring" them or taking possession while in Frankfurt.

quote:

Originally posted by m3taco:
Getting ready for our next trip back to Namibia in Aug. Due to all luggage and guns being lost in J'Berg for 3-days and several hundred $$ in personal items stolen last year, and all calls, emails and letters (even registered) must be routed to the SAA black hole file, I will not travel again via J'berg or SAA.

Would like to go via Frankfurt and Air Namibia. Since there is already an 11-15 hour layover in Frankfurt, has anybody just stayed for an extra day or three in Frankfurt either with or without claiming thier guns, before going on to Windhoek?

My son, then 14, and I did exactly that last summer spent 3 days in Frankfurt and surrounds. It is not big deal, but once you get your guns you will have to take them and the ammo to the Customs office which is kind of at the far back (which is toward the outside of the airport)of the luggage room. If in doubt, ask one of the polizei or customs agents that will be standing around. In general, the FKT airport is a fairly confusing place with what I consider to be oddball signs that don't help your general sense of confusion very much. Explain what you want to do and they'll check the guns and ammo in, give you a receipt and you can be on your way. This is where it COULD become critical to have the ammo in a separate case. I had ours in a plastic lockable ammo case and it was no problem. If you've packed it with your guns it COULD (but wouldn't have when we were there) be a problem.

I also had serious concerns about getting the guns and ammo onto the flt to WDH but it went pretty smoothly. I had to explain the situation to the ticket agent and she had to give me two luggage tags to take down to the Customs office so they could attach them to the gun and ammo cases and take them to the airplane. I worried about that all the time we were there, and was the first in line for check-in for that reason (since I could foresee having to make several trips back and forth, which didn't happen). In the states I think you'd have hell convincing a ticket agent to give you what amounts to two blank luggage tags, but the Air Namibia agent did it without blinking an eye once she understood what we were doing. Took them down to Customs, they retrieved the two bags, put the tags on them, and obviously took them out to the airplane since they were there in WDH when we got to the luggage area. BTW the German customs were polite and efficient. I thanked the customs officer who helped with the tags and he looked at me with a puzzled expression and said, "That is my job."

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WAS ALL LAST SUMMER, CHECK WITH YOUR TRAVEL AGENT, OR CALL CUSTOMS IN FRANKFURT TO CONFIRM THAT THIS IS STILL THE PRACTICE.

BTW it is my understanding that the "check them through" ploy can not be used unless you are taking the next flt out. Otherwise you'll have to do as outlined above.

quote:

Originally posted by m3taco:
Sheephunter - you missed my point. I didn't say anything about not declairing the weapons. My quesiton is how long could I leave them with German Customs. In otherwords...could you check your checked bags and guns all the way through from the US to Windhoek. The flights from the US to Frankfurt all arrive in the morning and the follow on flights to Namibia leave Frankfurt that evening - that is why there is an 11-15 hour layover.

So, my question is has anybody checked guns all the way to Namibia via Frankfurt with a 24-48 hour layover in Frankfurt, did not claim or even touch the guns in Frankfurt.

I am in no way saying to not "declaring" them or taking possession while in Frankfurt.

Ah, my mistake. When you said "not claim them" I thought you meant not claiming you had them going through customs.

I think if you weren't catching the next available flight to Windhoek that you'd indeed have to claim them and then as suggested, leave them with German customs.

Hi m3taco
One of my clients from last season used the overlay to do some hunting in Germany. The local operator picked them up from the airport and brought him back in time to catch his flight to Namibia.

Even with the overlay our clients arriving from Frankfurt are more rested out and smiling when they get of the plane, the best part is that they have their guns and ammo with them.
Enjoy our trip to Namibia and good luck.

Regards

Johann:

Thanks - guess I'll send a note directly to Kathy and get her input/ideas. We have a German military delegation here...guess I'll hit them up to see if they can come up with some phone numbers.

By the way - hope to see you again this Aug while Anila and I are with Jan. By the way, Jan sent me a note that a neighboring farm is up for sale....never know....we may end up next-door neighbors!

Say hello to Jan and Mariesje for us when you see them.

If you figure out a way to legally buy a farm in Namibia, I'd certainly like to hear about it. If so, please PM with details.

m3taco - I see you are in Tampa, as am I - let me know if you ever want to get together for a beer or to go shooting before you leave. We can share stories - I went through Frankfurt on my way to Namibia last year.

I had an interesting experience in Frankfurt. On May, 16 we (Me and my 27y/o son) arrived in FRA from Chicago. I had two rifles and was about to do what described above. We approached the Customs officers and claimed that we have rifles and ammo and we are heading to Namibia in 8 hours. The officer informed us that we have to go to terminal 2. On my request to hold my guns and bags with ammo in the office he said that they don't do it. I was trying to explain to him that I do not have a German gun permit and I would be in violation of German Law if I just carry the guns from terminal 1 to terminal 2 without proper papers. He smiled and said that on my flight will be a hundred people with guns so fill free to go. He did not check serial ## nor other paperwork. Finally I got to the terminal and was watching my bags and guns for 7 hours while my son had a good time in Downtown Frankfurt.
On the way back from Windhoek we had a 4 hours layover. On arrival I claimed that I have guns, they checked the ##, checked my 4457 forms and then escorted me to the terminal 1 and assisted me to check in my guns and bags with Lufthansa all. In both cases officers were very polite but in first one did not care much and the
second officer did everything by the rules. Funny thing that when the officer said "Have a nice flight" and left, the Lufthansa clerk offered us to give up our seats on the 10:40 flight and take a 17:00 flight instead for a reward of 1200 Euro cash plus 30 Euro for a free lunch. So, playing by the rules we managed to have a very exciting day in Frankfurt with a full pocket of unexpected cash.
BTW on arrival in Chicago I claimed my guns at the Custom stand and an officer replied: "That's great! Welcome home." and pointed on the green door

Wow, Aholz! You made out like a bandit - someone really must have wanted on that flight - that's like, what, $2000 US? Why can't these things happen to me? LOL

When flew into and out of FRA I was on an airline that had a baggage sharing agreement with Air Namibia, so didn't have to worry about this stuff - my guns were simply automatically taken to Air Namibia the first time, and then from Air Namibia to Lufthansa for the flight back to the US on the return.

Damn, 1200 Euros, some people have all the luck. Glad you had a good trip.

Guys, don't be jealous. I was just well paid for baby-sitting my rifles and bags for 7 hours on the most uncomfortable bench in the world. And now I know exactly how much my flattened butt worth (according to Lufthansa)