okay, maybe covered before in some detail, but didn't answer myquestion, which is this,

I supposedly need outfitter letter of invite to get gun clearance thru SA. But I'm not hunting in SA, rather Nam and Zim in May/June of 2008. Is a copy of the contracts I have with my outfitters okay for this or do I need actual letters from them saying so and so (me in this case) is hutnig with us for x days for these animals, etc etc.? I'll have to clear thru SAPS 3 times on this trip so do I need 3 sets of doc for this, or only 1 set for the first time thru and then just show the permit the other times thru and let them verify gun serial numbers and ammo after that. I plan on using a service to help, and how soon should I get the letters from the outfitters, I mean do they have to be dated within a certain time frame, kinda like your passport has to be good for 6 months AFTER you plan on leaving.

Willi

Check with your outfitters in Nambia and Zim. I have seen/talked with other hunters in the Police office in the Joberg airport that were going on to other countires to hunt and they had to go thru the SAPS 520 process. I am sure they had something from their outfitters to get them thru the process. I would suspect that you will need 3 SAPS 520 forms if going thru RSA 3 times, they collect back the permit when you are exiting the country. Probably only need the letters once since they have allways returned the letters to me, but may want 3 sets just in case.

You may want to contract with some of the firms that will do the paperwork for you, Air2000 is one and there are others. Since it sounds like this is going to be a pain in the ass for you.

I had a letter from my safari compnay to get my SA transit permit. For me, I just needed to do the paperwork once to get the permit, and then I showed the permit when I went back through.

VERIFY EVERYTHING WITH YOUR SERVICE! I do not know the rules for two transits so double check with your service and your travel agent, that is what they are there for.

Good luck with your trip.

Hi Willi,

On your SAPS520 form, on page 2 at the very top, it has a few boxes that you are supposed to choose from: export permit, import, in-transit, etc. Mark the "IN TRANSIT" box because after all, you are not hunting in RSA, just transitting through.

You should not have to fill out 3 seperate SAPS520 forms. But, you will need invitation letters from your different outfitters.

On page 4, where it asks "final destination" put in the countries you are hunting. (it should correspond with the invitation letters you receive from your outfitters.)

I highly recommend using RiflePermits.com. It's about 90 bucks and they'll get your rifle permit issued in advance. They generally need about 15-21 days to get it issued. However, I would not wait until the last minute. You should do it 2-3 months before your departure date. That way if they need anything before you leave, you aren't freaking out to rush it over to them.

I hope that helps!

You can also PM me and I can walk you through it in more detail.

-Shannon
The T. Jeffrey Safari Co.

Been there, done that, ain't gonna do it again!
Bypass SA, what ever it takes. Pay the extra money to any Airline to bypass the crap in SA. Go directly to Namibia from England/Europe then go to Zim from there. Never been to Zim, so I don't know which Airlines fly there, but, I'll bet you can get there without going to Joberg.
If at all possible, I'll never go to SA again. Sorry, to all my friends in SA. Bullshit is Bullshit, whether in the USA or SA.

quote:

Originally posted by Msichana:
Hi Willi,

On your SAPS520 form, on page 2 at the very top, it has a few boxes that you are supposed to choose from: export permit, import, in-transit, etc. Mark the "IN TRANSIT" box because after all, you are not hunting in RSA, just transitting through.

You should not have to fill out 3 seperate SAPS520 forms. But, you will need invitation letters from your different outfitters.

On page 4, where it asks "final destination" put in the countries you are hunting. (it should correspond with the invitation letters you receive from your outfitters.)

I highly recommend using RiflePermits.com. It's about 90 bucks and they'll get your rifle permit issued in advance. They generally need about 15-21 days to get it issued. However, I would not wait until the last minute. You should do it 2-3 months before your departure date. That way if they need anything before you leave, you aren't freaking out to rush it over to them.

I hope that helps!

You can also PM me and I can walk you through it in more detail.

-Shannon
The T. Jeffrey Safari Co.

Good post

Thanks Shannon.

If you're transitting through SA and not clearing customs there, then you might need a transit permit. - This part of the act wasn't enforced for the first year or so of the new laws, but I'm not sure now..... if you use one of the firearms agents at JIA they'll be able to organise that for you if it's necessary.

If you're clearing customs in SA - for example for an overnight stay, they you'll need to either import the firearms for the duration of your stay or ask a firearms agent to collect and store them for you.

I don't know if the company mentioned offer this service, but FWIW, Air 2000 do.

I called United (the airlines my trip originates with) and told them my circumstance - that I will be transferring to SAA at Dulles and overnighting at Johannesburg before continuing on to Windhoek. They assured me that I would not have to check my guns in and out of JNB because they will check them in straight-through to WDH along with my check-in luggage.

I called Louis at Afton Guest House (where I'll be overnighting) and he doesn't know if I'll have to check the guns in and out of JNB customs but I should be prepared with filled out SAPS 520 just in case.

I don't know what the @#*& is going to happen when I get there but I sure am not going to transit through JNB again if I can help it.

Namibiahunter

CAN SOMEONE PROVIDE A LINK OR A WEB ADDRESS FOR AIR 2000

I googled the name and got a Brittish Charter service and an air purifier.

eyedoc,

Try - www.hunterssupport.com

Thanks MCM300

I'm fairly sure that if you overnight in Jo'burg, you won't be able to leave your rifles airside......... Ann at Air 2000 will be able to give you the lowdown though.

Steve,

You can do it but the folks at Gracy Travel tell me that a lot of employees have the keys to where the guns are stored and they can and do disappear with some regularity.

Mark

I have stayed at the Afton House on all 3 of my trips through SA. [Well actually one time Louis was full so I stayed wth a friend of his.]

I went through SAPS all 3 times.
I had all the proper paper work and had no problems.

The first time it took a lng time because of the long line, but now they have a new room with more people and it goes much faster.

Last time through the wife and I cleared 4 rifles, 2 drillings, and a revolver.

I carried 3 sets of paperwork, just in case.

Look at the SAPS web site closely.
Last time through I gave them,
The 520 forum
Copy [color] of my Passport
Letter of invitation from the outfitter in Zim
Letter of intent from me
Letter from a Handgun Hunting Association

There may have been something else but I cannot remember it now.

The Police were very happy with my paper work.

However when I pulled out the first double rifle the Police officer said, Oh! you cannot have that, that is an automatic!

I replied politely, "No this is a doublke rifle".

He said "Where is the Bolt?"

I showed him how the double worked.

Then He said in a low voice "Thank You, I am just learning about firearms".

quote:

Originally posted by namibiahunter:
I called United (the airlines my trip originates with) and told them my circumstance - that I will be transferring to SAA at Dulles and overnighting at Johannesburg before continuing on to Windhoek. They assured me that I would not have to check my guns in and out of JNB because they will check them in straight-through to WDH along with my check-in luggage.

I called Louis at Afton Guest House (where I'll be overnighting) and he doesn't know if I'll have to check the guns in and out of JNB customs but I should be prepared with filled out SAPS 520 just in case.

I don't know what the @#*& is going to happen when I get there but I sure am not going to transit through JNB again if I can help it.

Namibiahunter

Dear Namibia Hunter,
The correct procedure is to check your firearms to Johannesburg and to get a In-transit permit for your firearms.I cant recall that I spoke to you and said that I dont know. You are welcome to e-mail me or to phone me at any time and I will be delighted to assist you.
Please check our website www.vipmeetandassist.com for more information and to apply for a pre-issued / approved firearm In-transit permit.

Louis

I am staying at Afton House overnight on my way to Namibia in July and intend to use their vip meet and greet service posted above. They were recommended by several booking and travel agents. My outfitter sent me an invitation letter by email. Don't forget your US Customs form 4457 for each weapon.

quote:

Originally posted by Louis Bekker

Dear Namibia Hunter,
The correct procedure is to check your firearms to Johannesburg and to get a In-transit permit for your firearms.I cant recall that I spoke to you and said that I dont know. You are welcome to e-mail me or to phone me at any time and I will be delighted to assist you.
Please check our website www.vipmeetandassist.com for more information and to apply for a pre-issued / approved firearm In-transit permit.

Louis

Hello Louis:

I've already sent my SAPS 520 to Riflepermits.com and just awaiting confirmation that it has been approved.

My party of 4 will be staying at Afton Guesthouse, arriving March 9 and leaving the next morning for Windhoek. We look forward to seeing you.

Namibiahunter