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With the Southern Africa safari season moving into high gear, it's perhaps time for us to issue some reminders about importing firearms into the key arrival country in that part of the world - namely, South Africa. Already, we are hearing reports of scattered problems.

First, in order to temporarily import a hunting firearm to South Africa, you must obtain a Temporary Importation Permit from the South African Police. To get one, you need to submit a completed SAPS 520 form to the South African Police upon arrival. You can download the form from our web site, www.huntingreport.com. Scroll down to Important Forms and click on Gun Import Procedures for South Africa. Make sure you read all of the requirements outlined there. Getting a permit isn't particularly difficult and there is no fee, but the form must be filled out accurately and supporting documentation must be in order or your permit will be denied. It's a good idea to fill out the SAPS 520 well ahead of time, but don't sign it until you give it to the police officer processing your application. Another - and overall better - option is to get your permit issued before your arrival. You can do that by using one of several gun handling services, such as those offered by PHASA (www.phasa.co.za); or Hunters Support (www.hunterssupport.com). Be aware that these organizations will need about a month to process and secure your permit. There is also a fee for their assistance. Hunters Support also offers meet-and-greet and secure gun storage services. See their web site for more details.

So, what about transiting through South Africa with a gun? To do that, you will need a transiting permit in most cases. Getting one requires the same process outlined above. But note: There are some new wrinkles in who needs a transiting permit.

If you plan to fly into South Africa and connect on a flight to another African destination, be aware that most arriving flights from the US require you to overnight in South Africa. That means you will need to get a transiting import permit for your firearms. That's true even if you have checked your bags through to your final destination. Why? Because the practice of checking guns through to another destination is technically illegal when you overnight in South Africa. And we understand authorities are cracking down on airlines for doing this. Don't take any chances. Get a transiting permit.

Also, there are a number of airlines that do not have what are called interline baggage agreements with carriers flying into Africa from Europe and the United States. This means they will not automatically transfer bags onto connecting flights and you will have to claim your luggage in South Africa, thus requiring a transit permit for your guns. Be aware that the carriers in question will not accept guns as baggage if you do not have this permit. These airlines include, but are not limited to, Air Botswana, Air Zimbabwe and Kenyan Airlines. Always check whether your originating carrier has an interline baggage agreement with any airline you are connecting with when flying with guns.

All of the above should not be taken as cause to worry. Follow the rules and you will have no trouble entering or transiting South Africa with a firearm. Just do be sure that you fill out your SAPS 520 carefully. Include your correct arrival and departure dates. Seems some hunters recently in South Africa did not have the correct departure date on their issued permits and upon leaving the country were told their guns were illegal and they could be arrested. They were then pressed for a $200 bribe. One report we received about the incident indicated this was some new scam at Johannesburg airport; another source tells us the incident involved an agent with the security company that handles firearms as baggage and not the police officer who issued the permit. Who's at fault is less important here than the underlying message: Be very careful when filling out the SAPS 520 form and make sure you check your issued permit for accuracy. Then, go have a good safari and file a report about it afterward! - Barbara Crown.