Heading over for my first safarin in Limpopo with Huntley Ferriera.


Delta regs say ammo in locked case, in checked luggage is OK. Will a plastic pistol case do? I also have a nice, solidly built pelican case that I can use that would be much more secure. I have been advised to use a metal case, but that seems odd.

Anyone have advise?

Last year on Delta I used a plastic case that locks on Delta with no problems.

I used a plastic pistol case last year with no problems.

I have used the plastic pistol case and the Pelican case you mentioned on prior trips with no problem. Used the Pelican back in Sept. 09.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I've carried it in a Cabela's plastic pistol case for years, but not locked. There is no Delta requirement that the ammo box be locked. Check it out if there's any doubt on Delta's own website.

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I have been advised to use a metal case, but that seems odd.

I was advised to NOT use a metal case. Use any lockable plastic case. The degree of security is not an issue. Use TSA locks on the Ammo Case.

The metal case thing is a myth that stems from an IATA requirement that if ammo is checked, it has to be in the manufacturer's carton, or a container specifically designed for that purpose, or a metal box. They don't want ammo rolling around in a checked bag.

As long as the outer case is locked, you are OK. The inner box/case doesn't have to be locked. In fact, I advise against it. TSA has been known to call people back from the gate to unlock the inner case, sometimes minutes before the flight departs, or to just cut that lock which can create problems later. Put a TSA lock on the outer case (ie your bag). Then you can put the ammo inside the locked bag, doesn't even have to be in a box/case, as long as it complies with the IATA rules.\

Be aware, for domestic or connecting travel leaving JNB, the ammo will have to be in your gun case. They want to be able to count/check it when they check your firearm serial no. However, when departing on your return flight to the USA, it will have to be transferred to your second locked bag.

(Note, I have read elsewhere that recently, SAA is taking ammo out of the second locked bag and tagging it separately, so you had better have a lockable box to put it in ... these practices seem to change like the weather, nothing surprises me anymore)

Note, leaving Zim in 2009, I was called back and had to take the ammo out of my gun case and put it in my other bag. However, this last trip in 2010, they specifically wanted to count the ammo remaining, and it was placed in my rifle case. Not sure how they would have handled the situation if I had put the ammo in my other checked bag. Several hunters had their ammo in their rifle cases. I think Zim now prefers it this way.

I used a lockable plastic (plano) tackle box. I just put the ammo (in factory boxes) inside and locked it with a tsa lock and put it in my checked baggage. I told the screeners what was in the bag and they had me open the bag and box and actually swiped the cartriges (what morons), put everything back and passed it on through.

I probably should have said "swabbed" the cartriges, they didn't swipe (as in steal) anything.

Agree with Russ. I have been called back twice on flights to Africa by TSA bastards, with minutes before the flight was to leave, just for harassment purposes and for nothing else, as they wanted me to open my firearms case, even though I had agreed to do so earlier for them and they said that it wasn't necessary. Nothing with TSA would ever surprise me. Don't give them an excuse to do so.

quote:

Originally posted by shortside:
Heading over for my first safarin in Limpopo with Huntley Ferriera.


Delta regs say ammo in locked case, in checked luggage is OK. Will a plastic pistol case do? I also have a nice, solidly built pelican case that I can use that would be much more secure. I have been advised to use a metal case, but that seems odd.

Anyone have advise?

You'll be fine with a plastic case. I used one on Delta to and from JoBurg with no problems. Just be sure that it's sturdy enough to stand up to some airline abuse with the weight of your leftover ammo in it on the way home and it will be good to go.

I **DO** suggest it being lockable because I had a SAPS officer trying to con me into thinking he could confiscate it (read: steal it) and I have no doubt he would've gone ahead and taken it instead of "requesting" that I unlock & open it for inspection had the little TSA lock not been in place. I didn't know the laws, but my PH (a former SAPS officer) did. At the very least, the lock bought him the opportunity to tell the crooked cop to piss off with his lie. In the end, I got my ammo home safely and the cop got his ass handed to him.