I will be flying to Johannesburg on June 27. We are staying overnight at the Afton House and then flying on to Lusaka the next morning. Other than SAPS 520, what will I need by way of documentation?

SAPS 520 section "D" mentions (4)In-transit permit and (5) Temporary import permit. I will be leaving the airport with my rifles but they are not being used in RSA. Will I be better off checking box 4 as in-transit or box 5 Temporary Import Permit? Also, will I need anything other than SAPS 520?

I tried to email South African Police Services on their own email site but my message came back as undeliverable. Imagine that.

Thanks for any suggestions.

You will need the SAP 520, the 4457 from US customs, and a letter of invite from zambian outfitter. Yup, same stuff as if hunting in RSA.

As for what box to check, I've done it both ways and both worked for me. You could ask when you get to the SAP office as well, that way you can't go wrong with whoever you deal with in that office.

Thanks for your comments. We are planning to use a meet and greet service and will be sending the completed SAPS 520 ahead well in advance. Otherwise, I like the idea of asking the SAPS officers what works best.

Our outfitter has told us just today that letters from the Zambian PH were not much good when SAPS personnel told other hunting clients "in so many words" that a letter from a PH in another country was not worth the paper it was written on. Those hunters got through with a copy of the safari contract which apparently carried more weight than a letter from a PH in another country. Perhaps it depends on who you deal with when you get there.

The contract should always be carried, I was remiss in not stating so. Bring a copy, not the original. Ya just never know.

conditionone45,

The meet and greet service should have the gun permit in hand for you on arrival so the letter of invitation or contract should not be an issue but as advised you should have copies with you.

Mark