Is it not ok to have your ammo in the same case as your rifle as long as it is in a locked box?

I have read here that some keep there ammo in a locked box in the same case as their guns.

I have a TuffPack and it will be the only checked piece of luggage. Our other luggage will just be carry on's. I would like to keep the ammo in the same case with my gun. We will not need any other amount of luggage and it would be silly just to have a checked piece of luggage just for the ammo.

We will be flying SAA.

Any info will be helpful.

When I flew to Zim this past september via Houston-JOBERG-Harare, Delta did not even ask which checked bag my ammo was in. I had some in my rifle case and some in my checked luggage. When we caught our connecting in JOBERG, SAA made us put all the ammo in the rifle case. My suggestion is to be prepared to go either way on the issue. Check another suitcase with gifts for the locals and that way if the agent says no ammo with the rifles you can put the ammo in the gift bag.

My plan was to go to Walmart and get a little metal box that you can lock and put in the bottom of the TuffPack case with a string tied to it and have the string to the opening so I could just pull it out. I have a Tuffpack duffle to put the gun or guns in it so that will be easy to get the guns in and out for inspection. I do plan on puting another lock on the case. Somebody here showed some pictures on how to put a hasp type lock on a Tuffpack that I hope I can find.

From the SAA web site:

"Ammunition

A maximum of 5kg securely boxed ammunition per passenger will be permitted for carriage in the hold of the aircraft. Security boxed ammunition must either be placed in the same case/rifle bag or handed in as a separate item for carriage. Any ammunition packed within normal checked baggage will be confiscated by security screening staff at South African Airports, without an option of the airline recovering these items.
Note: Due to additional legislation in Germany all ammunition carried to and from Frankfurt and Munich must be packed in a separate securely boxed container and must be handed in as a separate item with the firearm and may not be packed inside the firearm case."

There seems to be so much inconsistency and debate on this subject that I would wait and check with SAA a few days before travel to obtain the most current rules.

If this rule is in effect, I'll pack ammo in the rifle case. If it's required to be in the checked luggage, I'll find a suitable lock box as mentioned and pack in checked luggage.

As of a couple of weeks ago, my travel agent said that South African Airways now wanted the ammo to be packed in baggage separate from the firearms. Of course, this could change. It seems the airlines are pretty inconsistent as to what they want.

Yes, Grumulkin is correct. Seems with all the confusion between airlines and Security in South Africa, they now state to have all ammunition packed separate from the guns. And, it is allowed to be packed within regular baggage. Again, No ammo is to be packed with the guns! I know that this has been confusing since last October, but this is current and I have personally verified this from my travel agent and safari operator within South Africa. I too have been unsure what to do with upcoming travel to Zimbabwe and needed clarification.

That stinks!!!!

I will have to take a checked bag just for my ammo because I'm just taking a TuffPack (checked) and two carry-on's. This increses the odd's of something getting lost or stolen.

In May of '06 after landing in Cape Town from Frankfurt, I was told that ammo had to be seperate from the firearms and in another checked bag before it could transit to Port Elizabeth.

Additionally, before leaving Cape Town for the return to Frankfurt, the same applied. All flights were on SAA.

Always check with the airline during the last week before traveling to make sure nothing has changed (more often than not it has!!).

Don