Went down to the local office in Bridgeport to get my 4457's filled out for my upcoming trip to SA in September. Wasn't quite sure how well received I'd be strolling into a Federal building with a case full of guns, even with a prior reservation.

How wrong I was!

Walked through the front door, was met at security by some very pleasant US Marshals who were more than happy to help me lift my case onto the conveyor belt to scan it. They called up to CBP's office and the officer came down to escort me up. One marshal was particularly interested in my trip, being a hunter locally as I found out.

Once up to the CBP office, the officer was very keen to help. He made copies of my pre-filled out 4457's I brought with me and stamped and signed the originals and the copies (5 copies in total) in an attempt to save me from having copies notarized for Riflepermits and copies for my gun case and home records. I'll have to check with Henry at Riflepermits to see if those will work to send to him. Anyone know??

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth the process went. Including security check, in and out in less than 20 minutes. I was honestly expecting a hassle.

Brandon,

Check your 4457's for an expiration date. I know the 4457 does not expire, however on my last trip in 2015, I had my rifle inspected and a 4457 issued. No problems at all. On arrival in J'burg, my rifle was siezed because 4457 was "expired". What? On the top of the 4457, in one corner was an expiration date. I don't know what it was for, I guess a new 4457 form was issued. Any how, they would not let me take my rifle, had to come back the next day. Henry at riflepermits got things straightned out, but I got a reprimand from the SAPS captain on duty for the United States not issuing permits corectly. Dumb shits don't realize it is not a firearms permit, just shows ownership of the firearm. But you do have to play their game.

Impala, I had read about the "expired" forms. All of mine are the updated "expiration" date. Just waiting on the letter of invitation from JWK and I'm going to get papers over to Henry to make sure everything's in order on time.

I've read before here about expired 4457s so I went to Customs at Wash.- Dulles last month. The officers told me they NEVER expire and I did not need to get new ones.

In the upper right corner of the 4457 form is an OMB number and expiation date. That is the Office of Management and Budget form number and the date the form expires. OMB must approve all forms used by any government agency, and they are approved for use for a certain time period, thus the expiration date. It can be a long process getting OMB to approve a new form so agencies keep using old forms until a new one is approved. Now that OMB has a new form, it would be a good idea to get a new 4457 if you have a chance, because SAPS would probably never understand all this. I went into South Africa last March with my 4457 with the old expiration date (8/31/2012) with no problems. It had a Customs and Border Protection stamp on it dated Jan 29, 2016. Apparently they focused on the stamp itself rather than the form expiration date.

Dale and Hitman,

I know all of what you say is true and we know that. It's when you get a SAPS officer that wants to give Americans a hard time that things get troublesome. Anything that has any sort of expiration date that is past expiration may warrant extra money to make things right.

quote:

Originally posted by impala#03:
Dale and Hitman,

I know all of what you say is true and we know that. It's when you get a SAPS officer that wants to give Americans a hard time that things get troublesome. Anything that has any sort of expiration date that is past expiration may warrant extra money to make things right.

That was my fear, also. Read about the expiration dates on the Africa Hunting forum and made sure I had the correct ones.

Impala and FFemtRN:

That is why I said "Now that OMB has a new form, it would be a good idea to get a new 4457 if you have a chance, because SAPS would probably never understand this." They did not question my 4457's being on the older forms almost 4 years after the OMB approval expired, but that does not mean the next person will not be stopped.

quote:

Originally posted by impala#03:
Brandon,

Check your 4457's for an expiration date. I know the 4457 does not expire, however on my last trip in 2015, I had my rifle inspected and a 4457 issued. No problems at all. On arrival in J'burg, my rifle was siezed because 4457 was "expired". What? On the top of the 4457, in one corner was an expiration date. I don't know what it was for, I guess a new 4457 form was issued. Any how, they would not let me take my rifle, had to come back the next day. Henry at riflepermits got things straightned out, but I got a reprimand from the SAPS captain on duty for the United States not issuing permits corectly. Dumb shits don't realize it is not a firearms permit, just shows ownership of the firearm. But you do have to play their game.

My solution was simple and it worked: I photocopied each 4457, then blanked out the Form Issue Date, then photcopied it again.. Result - no form dates and no evidenced they were ever there.. The rocket scientists at SAPS have no clue....

That should work.

Yes a wonderful solution to the problem!!

I had the reverse experience with SAPS in November last. Our Oz version of your permit has no Official stamp as I was told.

The SAPS officer believed that a " stamp" was required for it to be valid in his eyes.

I have now purchased a self inking "stamp " and liberally applied the said stamp with long expiration dates to the said documents. Will try it out next May and see how this goes!!!



Cheers

Nick

quote:

Originally posted by nickh:

I have now purchased a self inking "stamp " and liberally applied the said stamp with long expiration dates to the said documents. Will try it out next May and see how this goes!!!

We will send you some biltong in Chukurubi Nick.