Group of 8 are heading back to South Africa.
We have all our transportation (flights) taken care of, but now...
What to do with or how do we handle the transport of guns.

With the other topic go l on here about 4457's needing an expiration dates and other unknowns that most assuredly will be encountered, my question is:

Well, backing up, we are doing from Chicago to JNB transiting AMS. Our return is from JNB through CDG and back to the US.

First question, are there businesses out there that help get guns through both Amsterdam and Paris as well as in and out of JNB?

Is it worth hiring help to get through AMS and CDG? The meet and greet in JNB isn't as important as our outfitter will be there to pick us up in JNB.

Would it be better to use the monies in other ways this summer?

Really looking for feedback from the wealth of knowledge that exists here...

Thanks in advance.

If you must go through Amsterdam, get an agent to do the work, and be ready to get the goahead at the last minute.If you are checked through, Paris is not a problem. Not been through JNB myself yet.

Air France requires advance notification that you will be carrying firearms to include type of firearm, make, caliber, ammunition, etc. As I remember, it took me several calls and several emails to get the right folks to put the info on my record.

Air France also requires that your ammo be in a separate container and not in your suitcase.

Returning from JNB through CDG to JFK, my suitcase, which had within ammo in a steel, locked container was brought to the departure gate and the ammo box removed (I had to do that, myself... they wouldn't open my suitcase) and then the ammo box was tagged, taken down to the cargo bay and went independently to my final destination.

So.... you'll need a lockable gun case, a luggage bag and an ammo box, all separate according to Air France.... (and doesn't SAA probably require the same?) Whether or not you get charged for extra bags, I don't know. I was flying business and wasn't charged for the third bag.

If I were you, I'd contact www.travelwithguns.com and, if you still can, contract for their services. They know what they are doing, particularly with the Dutch requirements.

As for me, I'm flying Delta ATL to JNB, r.o.n. at Afton House and on up to Vic Falls the next morning. I've done it 20 something times and I still use Afton's gun service with S.A.P.S.

^
Do you have a ball park price for a one night stay?

In Sep, I will be spending a night in Jo-burg before heading to Bulawayo.

I can see where have everything combined into one price might be more convenient.

Thanks,


BH63

Copied from www.aftonguesthouse.com

Our Rooms offer the following:

– Very tastefully decorated rooms
– Extra length beds
– No-smoking bedrooms
– En-suite bathrooms
– Direct dial telephones (Int’l)
– Safety deposit boxes
– Rooms are serviced daily
– Satellite TV in each room (CNN, Sky, Discovery, National Geographic, etc.)
– Hair dryers in each room
– Tea and coffee available 24 hours

Tariffs

Single: ZAR 800.00 / room / night

Double: ZAR 1000.00 / room / night

Triple: ZAR 1200.00 / room / night

Family: ZAR 1300.00 / room / night

The above rates are Inclusive of

– Meet & Greet in Arrivals Terminal upon Arrival


You can email them and get the particulars for a pre-approved SAPS license that they will have in hand when you arrive. The cost for that is not listed on the site but I think is about $125 U.S.

Getting the SAPS license can be all done with a scanner or fax machine and no mailing is necessary.

Some folks here prefer other service providers or overnight facilities. I've done several (all with pleasant experience) but just go see the Bekker's at Afton because it seems like home.

P.S. If you don't want to try the steaks, just get a ride to one of the good restaurants nearby.

BTW, I talked to the folks at www.travelwithguns.com yesterday and they told me that they like 2 months lead time to get the Amsterdam permit. If you don't have one, yesterday wasn't too soon.

The room seem awfully cheap. 800 Rand is about $53.00. Is that correct? Seems like a bargain, even if it costs another $125.00 for a pre-approved SAPS.

I'll certainly contact them.

Thank you very much.

BH63