I am researching a flight with South African Airways from Frankfurt to Mozambique transiting in Johannesburg. I plan to take my rifle with me.

I SAA allows me to check through my baggage from FRA to Moz, will SAA transfer my baggage directly between planes, allowing me to remain in the international transit zone of the airport, or will I have to go through SAPS with my rifle and reenter the airside zone?

In case I have to go through SAPS, about how much time (average or maximum...) should I consider for the clearing process?

I am planning to fly from Mexico into Frankfurt with Lufthansa. Do I have to provide the German authorities with paperwork to switch planes with my rifle in FRA? Are the Germans hunter friendly?

Thanks very much in advance for your help.

If you fly to Moz with SAA then they will be able to transfer your baggage including rifle (But you must book this when you log in your baggage).
You will need Moz rifle Permits also.

As OZ said, should be able to check them right through as long as you've got the flights all booked together. I'm heading to Moz this year and have to pass through JNB. My travel agent assured me my bags would be checked all the way through to Moz.

Thanks very much guys...

I have also heard though that the official SAPS position is that, even in transit, one should clear the firearms with them...

quote:

Originally posted by Antonio:
Thanks very much guys...

I have also heard though that the official SAPS position is that, even in transit, one should clear the firearms with them...

I think [hope] that this SAPS clearance refers to an "in transit" permit required when claiming rifles due to an overnight connection.

Les

Les

That is precisely my confusion...

In the SAPS website one reads:

http://www.saps.gov.za/crime_p...arms/import_info.htm

Section 73 of the South African Firearms Control Act , 2000 (Act No 60/2000) determine that no person may import into or take in-transit through South Africa any firearms or ammunition without a temporary import or in-transit permit issued in terms of the said Act.

Firearm entering South Africa not for the purpose of licencing in South Africa can be divided in the following categories:

Firearms entering South Africa for a period not exceeding six (6) months for the purpose of hunting, sport, self-defence, repair, law enforcement, exhibition where after it will return to country of origin, wherefor a temporary import permit may be issued.

Firearms entering South Africa to be transported over SA ground to another country in Africa for personal use wherefor a in-transit permit may be issued.

Firearms entering South Africa for a period not exceeding six (6) months for the purpose of hunting, sport, self-defence, repair, law enforcement or exhibition and then taken to another country other than the country of origin wherefor an temporary import permit and additional export permit may be issued.

and also:

Conditions to be imposed on a in-transit permit
The Registrar may for security reasons require that the holder of an in-transit permit make use of a transporter to transport the firearm and ammunition.
The firearms and ammunition must be under the direct supervision of the importer or stored in a safe in accordance of the requirements of the Act.
The firearms may not be used in South Africa.


So, clearly, SAPS 520 deals with ENTERING the firearms into South Africa, and the expression "in-transit" with respect to SAPS 520 means exclusively "in-transit INSIDE South Africa", and not "in-transit at JNB OR Tambo airport".

Hence, where can I read the OFFICIAL position regarding the necessity, or not, of having to apply via SAPS 520 for firearm clearing at JNB airport if:

1) I fly SAA from Frankfurt to Johannesburg and then also SAA (with a single ticket) onwards to another African country different from Zimbabwe (no EU arms embargo, say Mozambique, Namibia or Zambia).

2) The luggage, including the firearm, is checked all the way from Mexico or Frankfurt to the final destination (i.e. not to JNB, but beyond...)

3) One stays exclusively inside the international transfer area of the JNB airport.

That is, I do not wish to enter South Africa, I do not want to have to claim my firearm at JNB and I do not want to go through the SAPS 520 clearing process...

And, if all this is possible, I would like to have an official statement about this in order to be able to show it to any "creative" SAPS or airline officers that may have a different opinion...

For the record: Last year, when I went through JNB without a firearm, I stopped by at the JNB SAPS office to ask precisely these questions. The lady policeman in charge very politely explained to me that I should ALWAYS clear my firearms with SAPS 520. And then a guy sitting next to her immediately offered me his "clearing services" for a fee... Sigh...

Thanks and regards, Antonio