Just came through Jo-Burg 2 weeks ago, when I went to check my 2 bags the SAPS officer asked if there was anything else in my Tuffpak. I said I had 2 walking sticks,a pair of boots and some other small things packed. He said that I was only allowed to have a rifle in the rifle case and nothing else was allowed. I told him pulling my rifle out to check the serial number would be no problem, he said it didn't matter and that I was only allowed to have a rifle in the rifle case. Well, my duffle was packed to the gills so I said where exactly am I supposed to put my other things, about that time his supervisor came over and asked what the problem was, we told him and he said there is nothing allowed in a gun case except guns, period. There was this little guy(SAPS officer) that said he would help me repack everything into my duffel, we moved towards the back of the check-in area and he said to open my duffel which I did. Packed on top was an insulated Carharrt jacket, he said put that on and I said I'm already quite warm and he said please put it on so I did. We took my boots out of the Tuffpak and put them in my duffel (they fit easily where the jacket had been) and he said follow me. We went to the SAPS office, he checked the serial number and looked at me with a smile and said "Maybe you should pack your jacket in the Tuffpak to keep the walking sticks from banging around" I said I thought that would be a terrific idea! I locked my Tuffpak and went to my gate! Not sure what would have happened if the little guy hadn't come to my rescue, but I'll be more careful next time packing my duffel in case I have to repack things out of my Tuffpak.
I will definitely be using my Tuffpak again, it worked perfectly as a "safe" when in camp and I had no others problems with TSA or Delta. Hope this little bit of info helps someone. Have a great day! Joe

Sounds like more African bullcrap to me. I have never had an issue going or coming with my TuffPak anywhere in the world, including more than a dozen safaris to eight african countries. What business is it of SAPS as to what you have in your guncase?

I hope you will notify PHASA about your incident. They will likely have more influence over this issue than anyone else and hopefully put an end to this BS.

There's nothing in the regulations that says you can't put other things ((perhaps) excluding ammo) in with the firearms and has been suggested, you should report this to PHASA so they can correct the SAPS misunderstanding.

If you have the name of the cop concerned, that'd help but even if you don't, I'd suggest you still report the problem.

What is SAPS.

Sorry. South African Police Service.

PHASA is the Professional Hunters Assoc of South Africa.

Dear Goosejoe

Wait till you come to Aussie. Customs will come up with all sorts.

Good to know as I have always packed gear in the rifle case. Only hassle was at a Russian boarder.
I just said it was needed to hold the rifle tight so it did not move around.

Thanks for the heads up.

I had everything in the world packed with my guns fishing poles, cleaning kit, fishing lures, duck tape and wire tie(you know you can't get duct tape and wire tie's in africa) i basically used it as a third suit case and had no problem. OF COURSE when I got to customs I had AUBREY and LUAN standing with me and those two boys are intimidating. the Fraze big enough to eat hey comes to mind when thinking of how big they are