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The Traveling Hunter

South Africa Gun Import Update
Bringing a rifle into South Africa for your safari hunt
doesn't have to be difficult.

Bringing hunting firearms into South Africa is relatively easy, but you do need to be prepared before you arrive or you face a long wait.

If possible, fly via Frankfurt or another European city, as flights from the USA tend to have a large contingent of hunters and therefore create jams at customs in South Africa. Flights from Europe tend to have fewer hunters. It is best to avoid London and Amsterdam as the British and Dutch tend to make gun transfers in their countries rather cumbersome. If you do fly through London or Amsterdam consider the services of a travel agent to arrange the transfer. Most other European cities do not give you much of a hassle on connecting flights with firearms.

Make absolutely sure you have the following documents in hand when you arrive (and copies of each just in case): Passport; return tickets to your country of origin (or copy of your itinerary); a letter of invitation from the outfitter with the outfitter's permit number on it; a stamped and endorsed Proof of Ownership for your firearms (for U.S. citizens, that's a U.S. Customs form 4457; for all other citizens, bring a firearms certificate or hunting license with your guns listed); and the SAP 520 form completed in black ink in block letters. The hunter must NOT sign this document at home but rather must do so in the presence of a police officer at the airport in South Africa. This form can be downloaded from the Professional Hunters of South Africa Web site, or your outfitter can arrange to have the form sent to you before you leave.

According to South African customs, the most common mistakes made by international hunters are a) not having the SAP 520 form filled out in BLACK ink; b) not having a letter of invitation from the outfitter with the permit number on it; and c) signing the SAP 520 form before arriving at RSA customs.

Some booking agents or outfitters recommend you hire a service to get your guns through South African customs. This is not necessary. Simply comply with the rules and you will be on your way, in most cases in 20 to 30 minutes if everybody has their paperwork in order before they land. Hunters who do not fill in their paperwork correctly hold up everyone behind them.