I leave aug 26 for tuskless and buff hunt in Zim. Using steve with travel with guns again. Meet and greet and pre approved SAPS permit for rifles. I need to take new rifle to get 4457 to send in with info for permits. If I go next weekend, leaving almost 2 months, is that enough time?

Brent

Yes it is. Susan with Travel with Guns just emailed me that they need all my info emailed by 7/8 for my trip on 7/31.

Good luck.

Brent,

You have plenty of time to get the 4457 and your pre approved permit.

Mark

SAP520 normally takes 2-3 weeks to be entered into the system and returned as a SAP521 form.

try use someone to help you. The customs / police buggers at the airport are out to screw you, never mind paperwork thats in order.
So if you want to wrestle with 3rd world mentality go for it.But I recommend a meet and greet service.PHASA, Graceys, Air2000, Henry Durheim of Rifle Imports.

+1 and a personal recommendation for Henry Durrheim and riflepermits.com. Henry asks that you have your paperwork to him 3 weeks before your arrival.

For the extra $30 US to have the paperwork done and waiting for me, I wouldn't even think of doing it myself. Seeing a friendly face after that long plane ride just makes sense.

Anna met me at the gate and took me straight to the firearms office. I was out the door with rifle in hand before the other guys were even given their paperwork to fill out, less than 5 min. after I stepped in the door.

The customs guy dropped a quiet "Can you help us out with a cold drink, sir?" but I ignored him and headed for the door.

I used Henry at Riflepermits.com this year. The paperwork got there the first week of April within a week or less via Fed Ex. Within a few days after deliver, I had confirmation that all was okay. I arrived in Jo'burg on May 27th.

I concur with comments above. Having someone holding a sign with my name on it right off the jetway and walking me all the way to my connecting flight from there was great. Strange as it was, arriving in late May on a SAA flight from Munich, it appeared I was the only hunter on board. There was nobody in the SAPS office but me. Outside of having to open the TuffPak and show the rifles to confirm serial numbers, it was as easy as could be.

Without a doubt I would use this service again. While I can't confirm it, with someone over there to meet you, there just seems to be no one trying to pull any crap.

I have been led to believe they can no longer meet you at the gate but has to be at the arrival hall after you clear customs. They will escort you to the firearms office and assist in collecting the firearms and completing paperwork.

When do you/don't you have to go through customs if traveling through SA? I leave the end of August, travel from NY to Joburg. Have a 2hr layover then on to Harare.

+ 1

quote:

Originally posted by leopards valley safaris:
SAP520 normally takes 2-3 weeks to be entered into the system and returned as a SAP521 form.

try use someone to help you. The customs / police buggers at the airport are out to screw you, never mind paperwork thats in order.
So if you want to wrestle with 3rd world mentality go for it.But I recommend a meet and greet service.PHASA, Graceys, Air2000, Henry Durheim of Rifle Imports.

I have always done SAPS myself. Never a problem and the guys with the help don't get out of there much quicker.

I did SAP myself, although my PH met me at the airport and went to the office with me. I was the first hunter there. They checked my gun, completed the initial paperwork, laid it on the counter, and proceeded to check the rest of the hunters. Each guy had the guns inspected and the initial paperwork was stacked on top of mine. Once all guns were inspected they proceeded to issue the permits starting with the top of the pile. Being first in line, my paperwork was of course at the bottom of the pile.

So... first in, last out???
Welcome to Africa!

Ditto with my experience last month. In my opinion, money has got to be changing hands with SAPS on the pre-approvals, especially with them not wanting to assist anyone else out the door first who is not pre-approved, no matter if you were there first and ahead of everyone else. A real joke. Palms are very likely being greased between the pre-approval permits businesses and SAPS. IMHO, SAPS isn't doing it just as a favor. Like I said before on a similar thread, if I am staying at Africa Sky or Afton House, the drivers all have to wait for me before they leave with everyone else anyway! LOL!

Total waste of money to do the pre-approvals. Do it yourself. The time will be roughly the same and you'll save the expense. There really is nothing to the process that should make you anxious to "attempt it yourself". It's straight forward. Just preprint the documents and instructions right off the SAPS website.

I have always done mine myself and never had any issues.. It reminds me of every other government office - regardless of the country.. Patience...

I remember one guy - an America hunter, that was absolutely making an ass out of himself because they had his aluminum bow case in with all the guns and made him wait his turn to open it just to show he did not have any firearms.. He was a real jerk the entire time and got what he deserved - a VERY long wait....

I've had worse difficulty getting thru Canadian customs on business trips with just my laptop...

No complaints here - an hour or two one way or the other makes no real difference anyway..

I just finished filling my SAPs 520 out for this September!

Thanks for the input guys. I did get my paperwork off to Henry a couple of weeks ago and and good to go. I have used Henry and the guys from Gracy for this service a couple of time, just wasnt sure of the time needed on the front end.
I have done it myself before as well. So far with the two services I have used I have always been faster. Plus I pay for the meet me at the plane service. It is awesome to come to the first big line at immigration and go thru the crew line in about 2 minutes. Then they have always had me stand in a specific spot so that I would be first to pick up weapons. Ten passed off to outside guys who have always posted me in front of anybody who may be there without a permit. But due to being at the first p olice station inside terminal first, i am first out side. Even if my rifle is not first out, these guys always have me first in line.
Plus on the way back out the next day it is the same thing, no hassles, no pan handling.
Maybe it is just a fallacy in my head, but I feel that if there were problems with luggage or a no show pick up at least I have an inside source.

If one is waiting for others to clear to go to Africa Sky or someplace else, I see your point. I either go to city lodge or more likely than not am being picked up friends I SA to hang out a couple of days.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Williams:
Total waste of money to do the pre-approvals. Do it yourself. The time will be roughly the same and you'll save the expense. There really is nothing to the process that should make you anxious to "attempt it yourself". It's straight forward. Just preprint the documents and instructions right off the SAPS website.

you are totally right. Its really easy to do. I even have a step by step instruction I send out with the SAPS520 to help guys fill it in.

The problem is when a first timer hits OR Tambo and the customs guy comes over and tears up the paperwork as wrong and for $ 100 will make sure that he gets a "Good Paperwork" that is identical to what he had.

Laid charges with the PE airport police and have to date heard nothing. IMO get someone who knows the game to help you through.Esp if you are a 1st timer.

happy trails

I took two firearms on my first trip to SA and, at the suggestion of my outfitter, used the folks at Afton House to arrange the pre-approved permits. There was a glitch in getting the luggage and the Afton House guy was Johnny-on the Spot. He went through back door security, chatted quickly with a couple of folks, had the luggage/gun cases in hand and the paperwork was approved very quickly.

On our trip out of SA I was hassled by the woman in the SAPS office who was fishing for her bribe.

Talk with your outfitter, if they recommend using a prearranged firearms permit, why would you not do it?