Hunting in S. Africa next week

[65coupe]

Please ..please ..please can someone with recent experience help me out. I'm headed for Johannesberg next Saturday... hunting in the Limpopo Province in the Northern part of the country..Plainsgame. What can I expect at the airport when I arrive in Johannesburg regarding my rifles and 12ga???? How much "hassle" can I expect from SAPS? Other than the SAPS 520 Form and an invitation from my Outfitter do I need anything else. Motivation Letter? ..Import Letter from the local sherif??
Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!

[pomoxis]

One thing you will have to have is documentation on US Customs forms that you are the legal owner of the firearms. You will have to have this done at the local US Costoms office during regular buisness hours. If you don't you will have hassles getting into South Africa and back into the US.

Here is a link
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing_goods/certificate_of_registration.xml

The only problems I had last September (in the middle of the transition) and just spending 1 night before heading to Zimbabwe was matching the numbers with the documentation. Not that big of a deal.

[safari007]

You will need Customs Form #4457 filled out and stamped by your nearest customs office. Be sure your serial numbers match exactly. Be prepared to pay the SAPS money for their drink fund when you go into their office to get your permit. It's up to you to decide whether to or not, but they will ask (it sucks). After spending 4 hours in line for your permit, is it worth another 4 hours in the complaint office. Also, you will have to wait in line for 4-6 hours to get your permit, so allow plenty of time if someone is meeting you, or if you are making a connection. Make sure your ammo is in your checked baggage and not your gun case. They will also check your ammo.
Also, you will need a motivation letter listing the game you will be taking and the firearm that will be used for each species, the outfitter and dates of hunt.

[Andrew McLaren]

65coupe,

What happened in South Africa?

What was the experience at JIA with respect to firearm importation? Did your Hunting Outfitter not warn you that you need a letter of motivation?

How, where and with who was your hunt?

Just wondering.

Andrew McLaren