Arrival at Johannesburg airport

[James.Grage]

Yes
provided it cannot be opened with TSA key. I have seen combination locks with the TSA key slot. In fact I have 2 of these locks.

I have combination lock (numbers on a dial). That qualifies as a lock, correct?

 

[Bobpuckett]

Both parties have rifles but my concern is that if baggage is lost or ammo is stolen we now have two metal/wood clubs and no guns. Is your baggage more secure if it's deemed to have ammo, or can you put ammo in the case with the rifle?

I've had my luggage with ammo delayed a day but never stolen. Unless your using some wildcat round pretty much any ammo can be found in Africa if your ammo was to get lost. When my luggage did get delayed my PH handed me a 300 Win Mag and said lets go to the range you can use this today you ammo will be here in the morning.

 

[Rob404]

I just returned from SA, My SKB case had 4 clasp locks 2 padlocks and a Strap lock,All TSA approved,,overkill maybe. I traveled thru Amsterdam, SA ,DeGuille then back to the States,,At Amsterdam they never inspected my Guns (strange 8 weeks for a permit and no inspection) at Tambo I unlocked my case they checked the serial numbers and away I went with the Afton Rep. on the return Tambo they inspected my guns again and they were checked straight thru to MSP. At MSP I opened my Case and showed the Customs official my paper work and I was good to go,,I also carried some small TSA locks with me just in case they decided to cut the padlocks,,,Somebody did mess with my Clothes suitcase but nothing was missing. I'll give a heads up for SKB for building one hell of a 2 gun case

 

[Red Leg]

Having done this several times, and with all the money you are spending, the $300 for for an expeditor is the cheapest investment you will ever make. I have used GT, who provides a service, and riflepermits.com who Lori at Travel Express recommends. If you do not do a lot of traveling in non-first world airports, you can not imagine how bad it can get, and what a life-saver an expeditor can be running interference. We use them for professional travel, and I always use one outside of Canada, Europe, and Namibia (maybe the only truly hunter friendly national airport on the planet).

 

[Rob404]

I used Afton House and was met by their Rep and interesting guy to say the least, I used TSA style padlocks plus My SKB case had 4 latch locks (two I added),,If you go thru J-burg, ammo in containers is fine incoming I ran into a problem when I checked my baggage to leave and had to remove my ammo and check it thru seperatelly ..I think J-burg need to be more consistant with there policies my SKB came thru both to and from without a problem

 

[huntsolo101]

I used Afton House and was met by their Rep and interesting guy to say the least, I used TSA style padlocks plus My SKB case had 4 latch locks (two I added),,If you go thru J-burg, ammo in containers is fine incoming I ran into a problem when I checked my baggage to leave and had to remove my ammo and check it thru seperatelly ..I think J-burg need to be more consistant with there policies my SKB came thru both to and from without a problem

Did you meet Mr x from Afton or was it Marius ? Afton guest house was organized chaos when we where there on the 11th of May. I personally have never used a service for the gun permit . 6 times and no problems . Marius from Afton has always been willing to help. One of the things I learned about the Afton pickup and luggage loading and unloading is to have my headlamp handy . Marius was very worried about the safety at and around the airport . More worried than I have ever seen him before . Mr X met us on out way out 2 weeks later and helped us get to the right places. I am thankful for the great job Marius and Mr X provide. They really go above and beyond at Afton.

 

[Wheels]

Did you meet Mr x from Afton or was it Marius ? Afton guest house was organized chaos when we where there on the 11th of May. I personally have never used a service for the gun permit . 6 times and no problems . Marius from Afton has always been willing to help. One of the things I learned about the Afton pickup and luggage loading and unloading is to have my headlamp handy . Marius was very worried about the safety at and around the airport . More worried than I have ever seen him before . Mr X met us on out way out 2 weeks later and helped us get to the right places. I am thankful for the great job Marius and Mr X provide. They really go above and beyond at Afton.

+1 Mr. X and Marius.

 

[Code4]

If you are going to worry about the arrival at Jo-Burg then don't go to Africa. Get a grip and don't believe all the horror stories you hear on the web. I have never had a problem and always done my own paperwork. It is not rocket science.

The worst thing you can do is get frustrated and started demanding things. Don't dress like a Bwana and don't act like one. It seems to have become part of the 'travel to Africa culture' that people need their hands held.

 

[JGRaider]

The safest and easiest thing to do is to just stay at the City Lodge Hotel right there in the airport. GT will do it all for you....flights, City Lodge, SAPS permits, meet you in the morning and get your guns, luggage checked onto next flight. It was all a seamless process, everything. I didn't even have anyone ask about my ammo, which was in a locked Pelican 1200 in my checked luggage. It stayed there. I was whisked through SAPS and out of there as many were still in line.

 

[peras]

If you follow the advice given, you will have no problems.

 

[Stocky]

I've been to Jo'Burg three times in the past 12 months. Itty bitty little TSA locks and all, never had anyone even make a comment other than to be sure to lock them back up before leaving the permit room. Since you lock them in the USA, TSA opens and inspects them in the US airport and they get put on the SA flight, I don't see how you can get away with anything but TSA locks.

The guns always come out in the police permitting station, I've never seen them anywhere near baggage claim.

When flying Delta, go directly to the permit room to collect your guns. When flying SA Air, don't forget to sign the airline's registry book before exiting the secure area or they won't send them to permitting. This cost me a few hours one trip, had to get an escort back into the secure area to sign the book.

I always use Henry at riflepermits.com. Best $100 you'll spend especially if its crowded. He gets you right to the front of the line, permits in hand. They check the numbers on the guns in the case and you'll be off.

 

[huntsolo101]

I've been to Jo'Burg three times in the past 12 months.

Lucky.

 

[BWH]

Like Rob44...I used padlocks on mine..... No sweat... Going over. Permits were all Copesetic. I stayed at AfricaSky.

On way back it was a complete asswhip. I had to unlock and show in Kimberly, when I got off plane in JNB, then again at check in on Delta in JNB, then again in ATL..... I guess they can never be too safe.... But after a while I was like damn,... Y'all have seen it more than I. I was using the Cabelas brand of Pelican. Not even a scratch on it.... Thing is bulletproof .

 

[Bobpuckett]

What does the rifle permits or Afton Guest House service cost? I used a bow last time but think I will use a rifle next time.

BHFS300

Haven't used rifle permits yet planning on using them in 2015, but Afton Guest House is Awesome Deb and I used them in April first time we ever had to layover in Johannesburg we was met at the airport taken to the Guest House and returned to the Airport the next morning for about $95 dollars for both of us to include meals. Needless to say I tipped the driver well, Highly Highly Highly Recommend the Afton Guest House. Thanks Cliffy for the advice.

 

[Stocky]

Lucky.

Obsessed more like it.

 

[Rob404]

Did you meet Mr x from Afton or was it Marius ? Afton guest house was organized chaos when we where there on the 11th of May. I personally have never used a service for the gun permit . 6 times and no problems . Marius from Afton has always been willing to help. One of the things I learned about the Afton pickup and luggage loading and unloading is to have my headlamp handy . Marius was very worried about the safety at and around the airport . More worried than I have ever seen him before . Mr X met us on out way out 2 weeks later and helped us get to the right places. I am thankful for the great job Marius and Mr X provide. They really go above and beyond at Afton.

He was an older and short in stature with a definate opinion on African Politics, he knew everyone in the customs office we got along just fine