Declaring your firearms with Delta Airlines

[swashington]

Finally have the tickets booked for our first trip to SA and our honeymoon. I know I have to declare to the airlines that I am traveling with firearms at some point. My questions are
1. How far in advance do I need to do it
2. Is this in writing


The Delta website says we must declare it to the ticketing agent at check in but that seems late in the game to do it. Anyone have any first hand experience on this.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I declared it when I showed up at the ticket counter in 2022. Don’t know if that has changed.

 

[BnC 04]

Tell them at the counter when checking in.

 

[BloodyKnuckles]

You Just check it in at the counter.

 

[uplander01]

Don't forget to get your form 4457

 

[JimP]

Yep, just declare it at check in. They will then give you a card to place inside the case with the rifle. Then one of their baggage handlers will escort you down to the TSA check. I have had them have me open the case and I have also had them just x-ray it. Then the baggage handler takes it away and you head to security and your flight.

 

[Tanks]

I assume you have arranged one of many services in RSA to help with the paperwork upon arrival? It is money well spent.

 

[K-man]

Yes that's how Delta operates. Make sure to check any other airlines you may connect with about their policies. You also declare your ammunition in a locked box in a different checked bag. Good luck!

 

[TERMINATOR]

I declared it when I showed up at the ticket counter in 2022. Don’t know if that has changed.

It hasn't

 

[TERMINATOR]

Finally have the tickets booked for our first trip to SA and our honeymoon. I know I have to declare to the airlines that I am traveling with firearms at some point. My questions are
1. How far in advance do I need to do it
2. Is this in writing


The Delta website says we must declare it to the ticketing agent at check in but that seems late in the game to do it. Anyone have any first hand experience on this.

Ummmm.....maybe believe what it says on THEIR website....because that is correct. All you have to do is open the case and put the card in declaring that the firearm is unloaded.

Now, if you are flying in-country after landing you need to let your airline know AT LEAST 3 days before departure that you want to carry a firearm on the flight and get their "approval"....which is pretty much a formality and I have never heard of it being declined. But you MUST let them know at least 3 days in advance.

If flying from JNB to another country then you need to check with whatever airline you are using.

 

[TERMINATOR]

Don't forget to get your form 4457

That is pretty critical...because you can't get a RSA gun permit without it
And can't bring your gun home without it.

So yea...that is pretty dang important

 

[godwincp]

Just book with Jennifer at Travel Express and enjoy your trip

 

[TERMINATOR]

Just book with Jennifer at Travel Express and enjoy your trip

Apparently you missed the first sentence in his post???

 

[godwincp]

I can’t see where I missed anything

 

[TERMINATOR]

I can’t see where I missed anything

He already booked his tickets.
Do you want him to cancel, eat the cost of the tickets, and then pay Travel Express their fee to rebook the tickets he already has?

 

[godwincp]

I was just pointing out that if he would have done that in the first place he wouldn’t have these questions. Not looking for conflict with you

 

[TERMINATOR]

I was just pointing out that if he would have done that in the first place he wouldn’t have these questions. Not looking for conflict with you

Well, honestly, anywhere I would hunt OTHER THAN going to RSA I would do exactly what you said.

But he couldn't follow your advice because he had already booked his tickets....hence my question to you if you missed his first sentence."

It just seemed kind of strange to tell a guy that has already booked his tickets ... to book tickets with Travel Express....that is all

For people that have not already booked....I think it is great advice. Especially for anywhere other than RSA. RSA is pretty simple though. I don't use a travel agent to fly to RSA. If I was flying on to another country I would for sure.

I will use Travel Express for my 2026 trip to Zimbabwe for sure

 

[swashington]

Thanks for all the advice on here, being our first time trying to make sure I am getting things right to not screw up the honeymoon.

I haven't made my flight arrangements to East Cape yet but will make sure I let them know about the firearms as soon as I book. We are staying in country of few days longer to do some sight seeing so I am flexible on both sides of the hunt.

Have not made arrangements for paperwork in SA but will be going through gun permits.com for assistance.

Thanks all again.

 

[K-man]

. We are staying in country of few days longer to do some sight seeing

That's an important piece of information relevant to your trip. You will need to find an agent in the country to "hold" your rifle and ammunition while you travel around. Not hard to do, but necessary. They treat firearms differently "over there". Happy Honeymoon!

 

[TERMINATOR]

Thanks for all the advice on here, being our first time trying to make sure I am getting things right to not screw up the honeymoon.

I haven't made my flight arrangements to East Cape yet but will make sure I let them know about the firearms as soon as I book. We are staying in country of few days longer to do some sight seeing so I am flexible on both sides of the hunt.

Have not made arrangements for paperwork in SA but will be going through gun permits.com for assistance.

Thanks all again.

Last two trips to East Cape I have used Airlink. They are gun friendly (as long as you let them know about the guns ahead of time) and have been very reliable time wise. Like Clockwork. As soon as you book you will get an email confirmation. On that confirmation will be an email address for baggage stuff. Send an email to that address with your flight itinerary and Ticket Reference number and let them know how many firearms you want to bring and verify that you have their permission to transport.

It is pretty much a rubber stamp but it always pays to be polite and "request permission" verse "tell them". They will will soon reply confirming that you will be transporting a firearm or firearms.
Print that email out and BRING IT WITH YOU when you check in for the flight to East Cape....just some CYA. I do that as soon as I buy the tickets to East Cape. I then sent another email about two weeks out saying "I just wanted to confirm that you have already given me permission to fly with my firearm" They will confirm (again). I then bring BOTH of those emails printed out.

I do the same with any hotel reservations....book as soon as I book airfares. Then confirm a couple weeks prior. And print out the confirmation emails and bring them with.

Seems kind of OCD but like the old saying goes "Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them"

Henry at riflepermits.com can not only help you with the permits, but if you are going to tour after the hunt, you will most likely be returning back through the major hub JNB to go on to the sightseeing. They can arrange storage for you while you tour and bring the rifles back to you when you return to JNB to fly home. I much prefer to tour WITHOUT lugging the guns everywhere in RSA.

All just words of advice from someone with 4 hunts to RSA under my belt and over 3 Million Miles flying around the world for business. I leave NOTHING to chance because if there is any way for airlines and hotels and tour operators to screw up.....they seem to find they way.

Enjoy your honeymoon and hunt