Not saying it won’t happen, but I’ve never been to Zimbabwe without Barnes bullets
Same for me, but, the last time I was in Zim was 2010, so things possibly have changed, hell, they can change from one agent to the next, nothing consistent in Africa!!
I'm just holding up my end of the agreement, as I told the folks that checked my ammo that I would get the word out that hollow point bullets are against the law in Zimbabwe.
Accordingly, Had they have checked my ammo on my entry into Zimbabwe they would have at best just confiscated my ammo. At worst case scenario I would have been cited and have to go to court with who knows what kind of outcome, anything but good.
I apologized immensely for my error as Barnes TSX bullets are considered to be solids. The folks that check your ammo, firearms, and such in Zimbabwe pointed to the little hole in the tip of the bullets and declared the bullets as illegal for import into Zimbabwe and that I could have been arrested for trying to import banned ammo into the country.
Unlike RSA's SAPS, and their friendly but stern attitude, I'm pretty sure had I offered any kind of "monetary solution" it would have escalated the matter and I would have been on the losing end of a very bad situation.
I sincerely apologized, stated that the bullet manufacturer listed the bullets as being solids for use on African dangerous game, and had I known, because I couldn't find any information to the contrary, I would not have brought these bullets but would have brought different solid bullets for Cape Buffalo.
Their reaction: '...well because you are leaving we will just let you know that hollow point bullets are illegal in our country... please don't bring them ( HP bullets) or you will get into trouble...'.
We BSed a while because this was my first time to Zimbabwe, and other things. I had time to kill before my flight, and they wanted to chat with a foreigner, they were board, so what the hey, it was a slow day for these folks, besides I was just as interested in learning and hearing from them, their stories, and more about the does and don'ts to enter their country and their attitude of wanting to, although unable to afford such a trip outside of Zimbabwe let alone to any other countries in Africa. I degrees a bit to much and this should be carried over to another OP.
The main point here is it's illegal to import hollow point bullets into Zimbabwe. These folks that inspected me didn't look at my ammo and let me enter without any problems. They let me depart Zimbabwe with a warning. I'm passing that warning on to those going on a hunting safari to Zimbabwe because the folks I dealt with are friendly, and who knows the folks another AH member may deal with may not be so friendly, shit happens at the worst time.
I like, use, and recommend Barnes TSX bullets. I hate it, But the hollow point bullets are illegal in Zimbabwe according to the people I dealt with at customs, so I won't be taking any hollow point bullets into Zimbabwe.