I flew SAA to Joburg, but due to scheduling had to take a British Airways flight to Harare. Upon checking in I was informed that there was a 100 Rand per firearm charge as British Airways didn't have a license to handle firearms out of Joburg? I thought I was being husstled for a gratuity, but the guys in the firearm office produced the paperwork convincing me it was legitimate. I had to send my wife back into the terminal to exchange some dollars into rand. I wasn't expecting this so I thought I would pass it on.


You can borrow money, but you can't borrow time. Go now.

I thought BA would not fly arms to Zimbabwe?

They flew me and my firearms from Joburg to Vic Falls. I believe it is run by a subcontracting airline, but I can't recall the name.

No European airline will fly firearms from an EU country directly into Zim because of the EU arms ambargo.(I dont think that this applies if the firearm started its journey from a non EU country, but I stand to be corrected on this) British Airways branded flights out of JNB are operated by Comair and will carry firearms to Zim. When I went this route in July there was no charge, so I assume that this is something new.

They didn't charge me anything when I brought my rifles from Toronto to Johannesburg.

But did you get a receipt...