transition through Joberg on the way to Vic Falls before going to camp. Question is do I need to wrangle with the SAPS 520 and related BS. I am being told by travel agent that rifle is checked all the way to Vic Falls --- but ---agent not sure on why or if I need to have the SAPS 520 and pay the related costs.
Very confusing -- do have an 8 hour layover thus looking for lounge or ??

If your gun case is checked all the way through and you never have to claim,it I wouldn't think you would need anything....

A travel agent versed in African travel should know this.

Woodmnctry

8 hours is a long time for your luggage to sit in holding at joberg.

That is a long time for the workers in Joberg to have time to look through your bag and liberate any thing that is needed. There is no way possible for you to be able to keep your checked bag safe.

While your rifle case should be fine, your other checked bag will be gone through, so make sure that you do not have anything that you absolute need in your checked bag.

That depends on your airline. If it's Qatar, and your VF flight is a code share, you will need a SAPS Transit permit in JNB and have to recheck your firearm. Qatar and Airlink computers are incapable and Qatar cannot make the computer entry into Airlink system. Be careful you really watch Airlink, they have a firearm fee and unless that paid in advance and the Long-haul carrier can make the Airlink Entry, you will have problems.

From a review I wrote last October of last year:
I booked my flights with Qatar, since they were the cheapest, and as a bonus, offered Avios points, which turned out to be a huge mistake. I sent my gun paperwork to Qatar, but they could never find the documents, despite sending it repeatedly to them about 10 times. I called the USA telephone number, only to speak with someone in India every time. I sent the documents to PFCdoh@qatarairways.com.qa and received an auto-response each time. On the phone, the agent told me the gun was showing on the reservation, not to worry. I asked for written confirmation and was told to use the chat. I used the chat and the gentlemen on the chat said not approved as your Qatar flight from Johannesburg to Ndola was on another airline. I tried for several days to resolve the issue and could not. I hired Debbie Gracy, from Gracy Travel International, to get approval. She was able to get the approval for the Qatar-operated flights in 2 days. The problem/holdup was that the flight from Johannesburg to Ndola was a code share and Qatar will not approve code share flights. Debbie contacted Airlink to get authority on that flight. I had contacted Airlink several months ago for authority and advance payment of the firearm fee, and they said that Qatar had to enter the gun into their system as it was sold by Qatar. Qatar could not enter the firearm into the Airlink system. Lesson learned: do not buy a code share flight on Qatar with a firearm.

OR!use a gun savvy travel agent such as Gracy etc.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
OR!use a gun savvy travel agent such as Gracy etc.

This!! Shawn at Gracy has made all my trips smooth and without issue!

It does not matter who you use if you are going to Mozambique!

Reports are saying the police are not issuing any permit to there!!??

Eurowings (Luftwaffe side hussle) were flying to Vic Falls via Windhoek - we flew into there on the way to Kasane 18 months ago. You don't get off the plane in Windhoek.

Not true its a false rumor going around, it seems!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
It does not matter who you use if you are going to Mozambique!

Reports are saying the police are not issuing any permit to there!!??

I received this from PHASA earlier today regarding in transit permits to Mozambique. https://phasa.co.za/uploads/MO...-OF-EXPORTS-2024.pdf