Leaving Zim with Ammo - Customs Lady from Hell

06 September 2010, 04:30

Russ Gould

Anyone had the same nasty shakedown recently (Being asked to account for all the ammo used, and/or to produce the brass?). I got the nth degree in March, going back Wednesday, so just wanted to hear the latest.

Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC
BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris
Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns
VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear

06 September 2010, 11:51

zimFrosty

Hey Russ

I think you ran into a lady who was overdue on her rent and needed to earn some bucks quickly. Having said that I have heard of clients being asked to "account" for Ammo used but only as a enquiry rather than a requirement. I will have a word with the head of the customs department at Harare airport(who I know) and get a official position from him and post on here for all to see

www.sidudhlasafaris.com

MARK H. YOUNG
MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES
7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110
Office 702-848-1693
Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED
E-mail markttc@msn.com
Website: myexclusiveadventures.com
Skype: markhyhunter
Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716

06 September 2010, 22:10

Russ Gould

Maybe it's just Vic Falls then. I have heard of at least 3 other cases of shakedowns at VF ... they make you feel you have committed some kind of terrible crime if you "use up" too much ammo and/or can't account for all your ammmo.

Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC
BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris
Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns
VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear

06 September 2010, 22:15

Cazador humilde

Russ,
I left out of Harare in March also and I think I met the same lady, but my PH was with me and he told her pretty much what Hollis said in Bulawayo, I was a terrible shot (he loves to tell everyone that) and that I used it all. She seemed fine with it.

This was in the little, junk filled room behind the check-in counter. The room that another woman, that was so high "she could hunt ducks with a rake", had just told us was specifically not the room to check guns in.

From above posts, it sounds like the ammo inquisition woman might have moved on.

Elephant Hunter,
Double Rifle Shooter Society,
NRA Lifetime Member,
Ten Safaris, in RSA, Namibia, Zimbabwe

07 September 2010, 22:36

djsjr

In May I came through without a problem but when I went through the general aviation terminal they counted my ammo. Going home I had left my ammo with my PH. I was not asked about ammo at all when departing for home.

07 September 2010, 23:40

MJines

In and out in June/July with no problems. The only issue I experienced was that the fellow that collected my firearms form on my exit failed to turn it into the airline, so we had to track down the form before the plane could leave. I have never, on four trips, had them ask about, check, look at or otherwise my ammunition.

08 September 2010, 11:50

zimFrosty

Hi All
I had a brief chat with a senior customs fellow at Harare International yesterday. He advised that although there is no NEW ruling, Visiting hunters can be asked to ACCOUNT for ammunition used. He further said that although this was not a major issue, there had been instances of hunters bringing hundreds of rounds into the country and leaving with none, which is obviously contravening Import Regulations, but more importantly The Firearms act which limits the purchase of ammunition per individual on any one licence in a given period.
He also said that he would be interested to hear more about any incidents , as he believed , as I did, that perhaps the lady in question may have been looking for a "little something under the table"

The bottom line is that if you enter Zim with 600 rounds and leave with 0, then you may be asked(note I said may),to account for the use of said rounds. In general tho, I dont think this is an issue.

www.sidudhlasafaris.com

09 September 2010, 01:24

Use Enough Gun

With the airlines' limit on ammo weight (11 lbs), I would be very surprised if anyone from the States was bringing more than 150 rounds of ammo on Safari into Zim. So, the issue of bringing in "hundreds of rounds and leaving with none" does seem to be a non-issue. The issue of a "little something under the table" does seem to make more sense now.

...I say that hunters go into Paradise when they die, and live in this world more joyfully than any other men.
-Edward, duke of York

". . . when a man has shot an elephant his life is full." ~John Alfred Jordan

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Cicero - 55 BC

"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." - Ayn Rand

Cogito ergo venor- KPete

“It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own self-interest. We address ourselves, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but of their advantages.”
― Adam Smith - “Wealth of Nations”

12 September 2010, 00:42

K Evans

Went thru Vic Falls yesterday, absolutely no problems with ammo...the customs guy just asked how many rounds I fired and when I told him he seemed satisfied and did not want to check my ammo nor did he ask where it was (it was in a locked case in my checked bag), but my hunting partner checked his ammo separately and was quizzed much more than I. I don't think he opened the case buty I'm not sure...this all took place in a small cargo holding area in the airport. Also, we had a bit of a problem at Joburg upon our arrival retreiving our rifles, and the ammo that had been checked took some time to find. I'm sure we had fewer problems in Vic Falls because the company we used for air charter had a representative on hand to deal with the local bureaucrats and he certainly moved things along much more rapidly than my last trip thru Vic Falls...

13 September 2010, 18:36

DrScott

They didn't really quiz me any more but when they asked how many rounds I had left I could not remember so I was going to open the case and count them. The guy said don't open the case just give me a guess so I estimated 25 rounds remaining and he was satisfied with that.

16 September 2010, 04:29

DoubleDon

Just got back from Zim via Vic Falls on Monday.

For the first time ever, they did not inspect the ammo to or from.

Upon departure, they inquired how much of each calibre/guage remained. I fired all 40 rounds of .500 Nitro

. Didn't even raise an eyebrow.

Perhaps they've heard about you Russ

Deo Vindice,

Don

Sons of Confederate Veterans Black Horse Camp #780

BUTCH

C'est Tout Bon
(It is all good)

27 September 2010, 02:44

Russ Gould

Entered and left via Kazungula (road) this year. They asked to check the ammo going in but did not make me open the (taped) box. Coming out, they made me open the box, tape and all, counted it, and also asked me where the empties were. I told him "there is no such requirement" and he left it at that.

(I entered with 20 left with 15).