Bringing Reloading Components to Africa

[csmcclain]

Going to ZA next year and I want to bring reloading components (cases and bullets only; no primers or powder) in addition to a tip for my PH in calibers they load. Has anyone ever put these in their checked bags from the US to the UK to ZA? Any issues forseen?

I plan on calling all countries first, obviously, but needed to know if it was a hard no first.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I have done it with no issues. But only on Delta, United direct flights USA to JNB, and twice on Qatar USA-Doha-JNB. But I have heard Qatar is now doing more inspections and has been confiscating items.

 

[Trogon]

2022 did bullets and brass (300 WM) via United to Johannesburg, and in 2023 did the same via Delta (.375 H&H). Packed them in freezer zip lock bags and made them easy to locate in my checked suitcase. Very appreciated. I had no issues, but direct flights from US to RSA.

 

[BryceM]

I've taken stuff to Namibia, via Germany (IIRC). No issues, but last time my PH said don't try it. Apparently they started charging a duty tax at the airport if they found them. Seems to be inconsistently applied though.

 

[csmcclain]

I've taken stuff to Namibia, via Germany (IIRC). No issues, but last time my PH said don't try it. Apparently they started charging a duty tax at the airport if they found them. Seems to be inconsistently applied though.

Interesting on the import tax. I’m more worried about the staff at Heathrow freaking out by finding them and not understanding that empty casings are not live rounds. Trying not to end up in jail.

 

[sgt_zim]

You need to be really careful on bringing reloading components to RSA. I was told by my outfitter that I'd need a license, from SAPS I'd imagine, to buy brass, powder, or primers; but not to buy projectiles. So you're probably safe bringing in bullets.

 

[Sarg]

I don’t think it is a wise idea to take ANY firearm related items out off or into a country without the express approval of customs of both countries, you could find yourself in jail & don’t take this as scare mongering as I know !

Even shotgun wads can lead to this, sights, half finished stocks, empty cases & projectiles all considered “firearm accessories” by some jurisdictions !

 

[Denvir Tire]

I've taken stuff to Namibia, via Germany (IIRC). No issues, but last time my PH said don't try it. Apparently they started charging a duty tax at the airport if they found them. Seems to be inconsistently applied though.

I once brought 200 7mm bullets into Namibia, four boxes of 50 each. My luggage passed through Tambo without incident, however it was flagged for customs inspection in Windhoek.
Opened my bag, looked at the boxes, and then informed me that an "Import Duty" is owed.
I asked how much is owed, and received a blank stare from the helpful customs official.
Got it, reached into my pocket and pulled out a smattering of Rand, one dollar bills and coins....
The exact amount required, lucky!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

For people traveling from the USA, would bringing cases or bullets be a violation of ITAR?

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

For people traveling from the USA, would bringing cases or bullets be a violation of ITAR?

Hay Marius

Ive had clients bring me bullets from us
Never had any issues they must justput them in their check in luggage

Cases im not sure about

Had some bullets confiscated from luggage on a domestic flight in US

 

[sgt_zim]

For people traveling from the USA, would bringing cases or bullets be a violation of ITAR?

No, they're not ITAR-controlled. But components other than projectiles (brass, primers, and powder) are pretty tightly controlled in RSA, aren't they?

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

No, they're not ITAR-controlled. But components other than projectiles (brass, primers, and powder) are pretty tightly controlled in RSA, aren't they?

Primers and powders, yes. Not brass. There is a big discussion on another group where someone is claiming that for a hunter to bring brass or bullets( we know you can't pack primers and powders), that they would be in violation of ITAR. Would just like to get clarification on this.

So, are you saying that Brass and projectiles are not ITAR-Controlled?

Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Hay Marius

Ive had clients bring me bullets from us
Never had any issues they must justput them in their check in luggage

Cases im not sure about

Had some bullets confiscated from luggage on a domestic flight in US

Would like to know what the law says, though. I was always under the impression that it's no issue at all.

 

[sgt_zim]

Primers and powders, yes. Not brass. There is a big discussion on another group where someone is claiming that for a hunter to bring brass or bullets( we know you can't pack primers and powders), that they would be in violation of ITAR. Would just like to get clarification on this.

So, are you saying that Brass and projectiles are not ITAR-Controlled?

Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Category III—Ammunition/Ordnance
*(a) Ammunition/ordnance for the articles in Categories I and II of this section.
(b) Ammunition/ordnance handling equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles controlled in this category, such as, belting, linking, and de-linking equipment.
(c) Equipment and tooling specifically designed or modified for the production of defense articles controlled by this category.
(d) Components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles in this category:
*(1) Guidance and control components for the articles in paragraph (a) of this category;
*(2) Safing, arming and fuzing components (including target detection and localization devices) for the articles in paragraph (a) of this category; and
(3) All other components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this category.
(e) Technical data (as defined in §120.10 of this subchapter) and defense services (as defined in §120.9 of this subchapter) directly related to the defense articles described in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this category. Technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles described elsewhere in this category that are designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) shall itself be designated SME.
(f) The following explains and amplifies the terms used in this category and elsewhere in this subchapter:
(1) The components, parts, accessories and attachments controlled in this category include, but are not limited to cartridge cases, powder bags (or other propellant charges), bullets, jackets, cores, shells (excluding shotgun shells), projectiles (including canister rounds and submunitions therefor), boosters, firing components therefor, primers, and other detonating devices for the defense articles controlled in this category.
(2) This category does not control cartridge and shell casings that, prior to export, have been rendered useless beyond the possibility of restoration for use as a cartridge or shell casing by means of heating, flame treatment, mangling, crushing, cutting or popping.
(3) Equipment and tooling in paragraph (c) of this category does not include equipment for hand-loading ammunition.
(4) The articles in this category include any end item, component, accessory, attachment, part, firmware, software, or system that has been designed or manufactured using technical data and defense services controlled by this category.
(5) The articles specifically designed or modified for military application controlled in this category include any article specifically developed, configured, or adapted for military application

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Category III—Ammunition/Ordnance
*(a) Ammunition/ordnance for the articles in Categories I and II of this section.
(b) Ammunition/ordnance handling equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles controlled in this category, such as, belting, linking, and de-linking equipment.
(c) Equipment and tooling specifically designed or modified for the production of defense articles controlled by this category.
(d) Components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles in this category:
*(1) Guidance and control components for the articles in paragraph (a) of this category;
*(2) Safing, arming and fuzing components (including target detection and localization devices) for the articles in paragraph (a) of this category; and
(3) All other components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this category.
(e) Technical data (as defined in §120.10 of this subchapter) and defense services (as defined in §120.9 of this subchapter) directly related to the defense articles described in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this category. Technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles described elsewhere in this category that are designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) shall itself be designated SME.
(f) The following explains and amplifies the terms used in this category and elsewhere in this subchapter:
(1) The components, parts, accessories and attachments controlled in this category include, but are not limited to cartridge cases, powder bags (or other propellant charges), bullets, jackets, cores, shells (excluding shotgun shells), projectiles (including canister rounds and submunitions therefor), boosters, firing components therefor, primers, and other detonating devices for the defense articles controlled in this category.
(2) This category does not control cartridge and shell casings that, prior to export, have been rendered useless beyond the possibility of restoration for use as a cartridge or shell casing by means of heating, flame treatment, mangling, crushing, cutting or popping.
(3) Equipment and tooling in paragraph (c) of this category does not include equipment for hand-loading ammunition.
(4) The articles in this category include any end item, component, accessory, attachment, part, firmware, software, or system that has been designed or manufactured using technical data and defense services controlled by this category.
(5) The articles specifically designed or modified for military application controlled in this category include any article specifically developed, configured, or adapted for military application

My understanding of the article is that it mentions EQUIPMENT for hand loading. That would include dies, de-capping pins etc.
A little bit higher up, it states'

The following explains and amplifies the terms used in this category and elsewhere in this subchapter:

(1) The components, parts, accessories and attachments controlled in this category include, but are not limited to cartridge cases, powder bags (or other propellant charges), bullets, jackets, cores, shells (excluding shotgun shells), projectiles (including canister rounds and submunitions therefor), boosters, firing components therefor, primers, and other detonating devices for the defense articles controlled in this category.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Seems the best way to get components into South Africa is take as much loaded ammo as possible and leave as much as possible. Recipient can pound out the bullets and reload if so desired. Bringing along components that are for a different rifle can be dicey. I have done it (third safari I brought a box of new 458 Lott brass for my PH) but don't think I'd try it again.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Primers and powders, yes. Not brass. There is a big discussion on another group where someone is claiming that for a hunter to bring brass or bullets( we know you can't pack primers and powders), that they would be in violation of ITAR. Would just like to get clarification on this.

So, are you saying that Brass and projectiles are not ITAR-Controlled?

Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I know the group discussion you are referring too. My understanding is in small quantity like a hunter would carry no ITAR regulated. I had over 40lbs brass, bullets and reloading dies this last trip. Flew Delta, bag was inspected in Atlanta by TSA. Left me a note inside. No issues along the way.

 

[sgt_zim]

My understanding of the article is that it mentions EQUIPMENT for hand loading. That would include dies, de-capping pins etc.
A little bit higher up, it states'

The following explains and amplifies the terms used in this category and elsewhere in this subchapter:

(1) The components, parts, accessories and attachments controlled in this category include, but are not limited to cartridge cases, powder bags (or other propellant charges), bullets, jackets, cores, shells (excluding shotgun shells), projectiles (including canister rounds and submunitions therefor), boosters, firing components therefor, primers, and other detonating devices for the defense articles controlled in this category.

The problem is this is a lot of lawyer-speak, self-referencing gibberish. I believe sections I and II are references to actual military ordinance, referred to in (1) at the bottom "controlled in this category."

Other than possibly reloading components for 50 BMG, 7.62x51, and 5.56x45, and the old Warsaw Pact stuff, there is no military utility in bullets or brass.

As I understand it, there used to be quite a lot of optics that were ITAR-controlled, especially rifle scopes with range-finding built in and night optics.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The problem is this is a lot of lawyer-speak, self-referencing gibberish. I believe sections I and II are references to actual military ordinance, referred to in (1) at the bottom "controlled in this category."

Other than possibly reloading components for 50 BMG, 7.62x51, and 5.56x45, and the old Warsaw Pact stuff, there is no military utility in bullets or brass.

As I understand it, there used to be quite a lot of optics that were ITAR-controlled, especially rifle scopes with range-finding built in and night optics.

Yep. Clear as mud.

 

[deewayne2003]

Category III—Ammunition/Ordnance
*(a) Ammunition/ordnance for the articles in Categories I and II of this section.
(b) Ammunition/ordnance handling equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles controlled in this category, such as, belting, linking, and de-linking equipment.
(c) Equipment and tooling specifically designed or modified for the production of defense articles controlled by this category.
(d) Components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles in this category:
*(1) Guidance and control components for the articles in paragraph (a) of this category;
*(2) Safing, arming and fuzing components (including target detection and localization devices) for the articles in paragraph (a) of this category; and
(3) All other components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this category.
(e) Technical data (as defined in §120.10 of this subchapter) and defense services (as defined in §120.9 of this subchapter) directly related to the defense articles described in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this category. Technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles described elsewhere in this category that are designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) shall itself be designated SME.
(f) The following explains and amplifies the terms used in this category and elsewhere in this subchapter:
(1) The components, parts, accessories and attachments controlled in this category include, but are not limited to cartridge cases, powder bags (or other propellant charges), bullets, jackets, cores, shells (excluding shotgun shells), projectiles (including canister rounds and submunitions therefor), boosters, firing components therefor, primers, and other detonating devices for the defense articles controlled in this category.
(2) This category does not control cartridge and shell casings that, prior to export, have been rendered useless beyond the possibility of restoration for use as a cartridge or shell casing by means of heating, flame treatment, mangling, crushing, cutting or popping.
(3) Equipment and tooling in paragraph (c) of this category does not include equipment for hand-loading ammunition.
(4) The articles in this category include any end item, component, accessory, attachment, part, firmware, software, or system that has been designed or manufactured using technical data and defense services controlled by this category.
(5) The articles specifically designed or modified for military application controlled in this category include any article specifically developed, configured, or adapted for military application

I regard this issue much the same as the firearms permits that I had to get for Australia, Canada, SAPS & Zimbabwe.... Regulation for the sake of having regulation and in turn creating jobs for people to check those regulations.

Honestly, if you are going to have trouble, it's most likely due to an inexperienced person not knowing the regulations they are enforcing OR a person experienced in their job and looking to exploit the situation for a bribe.

I would print off two copies of the verbiage provided above by @sgt_zim & highlight (3) and have one copy with your travel documents, then pack your items either in a small box or ziplock bag with the 2nd copy of the verbiage inside.

It's been my experience that when confronted by an overzealous customs agent, you can get them to stand down fairly easy with good manners and documentation.