Importation or Transiting Procedures Through Countries with Weapons & Ammunition

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Thanks AKSloper71 for a report on your Emirates experience - all good to know! Hope your bucket list trip was everything you hoped it would be and more...........

 

[Hank2211]

That's a good question.
Hank may be reusing the one issued for the earlier trip and perhaps the Ethiopia destination had not come into play.

Just saw this.

I applied for new permits for Ethiopia, and no problems or questions. Came as fast as ever.

 

[flatwater bill]

Am happy that others have not had such problems................Travel Express was awesome, and went above and beyond for us on this trip. Difficulties in no way reflect upon them, and I would be honored to work with them on another trip...........just different airline/different continent......Emirates was my choice against the recommendations of many wiser people

 

[JimP]

I think that a good plan would be if you are not taking firearms you can go just about any route with little or no problems.

But throw that rifle and ammo in and you have opened up a whole can of worms.

On my first safari to took my own firearm, if I get to go on a second one I'll use the outfitters rifles and ammo and make it easy on myself.

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Am happy that others have not had such problems................Travel Express was awesome, and went above and beyond for us on this trip. Difficulties in no way reflect upon them, and I would be honored to work with them on another trip...........just different airline/different continent......Emirates was my choice against the recommendations of many wiser people

Thanks FWB - I enjoyed working with you and hopefully we can help you with another trip in the future..........

 

[Hank2211]

I think that a good plan would be if you are not taking firearms you can go just about any route with little or no problems.

But throw that rifle and ammo in and you have opened up a whole can of worms.

On my first safari to took my own firearm, if I get to go on a second one I'll use the outfitters rifles and ammo and make it easy on myself.

Jim, I did that once, and regretted it. Two reasons:

1. The rifle I was able to rent wasn't really of the quality I'd have used. "Rental rifles" like rental cars, get driven hard.

2. I, and I know many others, have spent a lot of money on some great rifles, in many cases in calibers that are totally unnecessary anywhere but Africa. It would be a real shame to leave those at home. If we were to do that, what would be the point of buying or owning these magnificent rifles?

So overall, I have decided that I refuse to be intimidated. It's worked out well over about 10 safaris. We'll see how that works out for me as airlines make it tougher.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Another experience with Emirates: My Emirates Experience: http://www.africahunting.com/threads/my-emirates-experience.31711/

 

[Vanguard2279]

I read through this forum topic and the links that Brickburn was kind enough to post. However, I am curious as to the experiences of anyone who has done this really recently.
My first trip to South Africa was in September 2016. I went LAS-ATL-JNB with my ammo in a locked plastic case in my checked baggage. I confirmed in Vegas that my rifle was going to be checked through all the way to JNB. I utilized Afton's firearms permit service and I had absolutely no problems. My only mistake was putting four boxes of Rhino component bullets in my ammo box when I was flying back to the US. Somebody somewhere cut one of the two locks on the ammo box. Next time, the Rhino boxes will be loose in my bag with my clothing.

My next trip is in April. LAS-ATL-JNB. Overnight at Afton and then catch an SAA flight to Port Elizabeth the next morning. I've been advised (and read here) that I will have to check my ammo box as a separate piece of luggage. It seems that is not consistently required, though. Will I be picking up my rifle from a SAPS Office at Port Elizabeth? Upon arriving back at JNB after my hunt, will I have to get my rifle case, ammo case and suitcase and check it at the Delta counter? Will my rifle and ammo be at the SAPS Office?

I have a Moose hunt in Newfoundland in September 2017. I'm going LAS-YYZ-YYT-YDF. I understand that I will need to get my firearms permit in Toronto upon landing. I'm going to try to have everything filled out before I arrive so I can present this to the permitting authorities. Has the process been difficult for others? Any tips or pitfalls that I need to be aware of? As an aside, booking a round trip to Newfoundland was so much more of a pain that to the Eastern Cape. My fault, really. I'll never use Hotwire again.

I won a hunt in Namibia for April 2018 at the SCI Las Vegas Chapter banquet this last Saturday. At this time, it appears that I will take the usual route, overnight at Afton and catch a SAA or Air Namibia flight to Windhoek the next morning. It's obvious that I will need a Temporary Firearms Permit to take my rifle to Afton. I'm debating trying to catch a flight that evening to Windhoek and overnighting there, but I will yield to the greater experience of the people on this forum.
Thank you for any assistance. It is greatly appreciated.

 

[BRICKBURN]

...................

I have a Moose hunt in Newfoundland in September 2017. I'm going LAS-YYZ-YYT-YDF. I understand that I will need to get my firearms permit in Toronto upon landing. I'm going to try to have everything filled out before I arrive so I can present this to the permitting authorities. Has the process been difficult for others? Any tips or pitfalls that I need to be aware of? As an aside, booking a round trip to Newfoundland was so much more of a pain that to the Eastern Cape. My fault, really. I'll never use Hotwire again.
.........

Don't bring a handgun.
Just bring your money and pay the fee and you are on your way.
You have a legal reason to have a firearm and you will not have any issues getting a firearms permit.
Have fun on your hunt.

 

[TRAVEL EXPRESS]

Hi Vanguard - I believe that most airlines and TSA like your ammo in a hard, lockable case within your checked bag. SAA is the only one I know of that may check your ammo case separately. I think it may depend on the agent you get at check in.
As far as your return from Pt E, you will have to check your guns with SAP at the airport and just depends on how your ticket was done and if SAA agent tags your bags through to home or not.
When traveling to Namibia or Zimbabwe or another country then I prefer to just stay "in transit" through Johannesburg and avoid claiming bags, getting firearm transit permit etc.
Hope this helps!

 

[Hank2211]

I'm going to South Africa this summer via LHR, with my firearms. I've done it many times without any issues.

But this time I want to spend a few days in London on my return.

Has anyone done this? What do I do with the firearms?

Thanks!

 

[spike.t]

I'm going to South Africa this summer via LHR, with my firearms. I've done it many times without any issues.

But this time I want to spend a few days in London on my return.

Has anyone done this? What do I do with the firearms?

Thanks!

hi speak to bob nagra i will pm you his cell no. here is pdq ltd link. last saw bob at heathrow checking all the westly richards guns in for them that were going to sci this year.

http://www.pdq.uk.com/home/4549523531

 

[BRICKBURN]

It is not looking cheap, if they can even do it.
but, ....
http://www.londongunservices.co.uk/index.php?page=visitor-services

 

[Hank2211]

Thanks Mike and Wayne. Very helpful.

 

[sierraone]

I'm going to South Africa this summer via LHR, with my firearms. I've done it many times without any issues.

But this time I want to spend a few days in London on my return.

Has anyone done this? What do I do with the firearms?

Thanks!

Hi Hank! If you have never spent time in London at the gun shops, archaeology sites and the British Museum, it is worth it IMO to pay the rather high price for gun storage while you are there, and just be a tourist. It is a huge city, so pick your spots to visit before you go. I fortunately have been to London many times without guns and will probably go back in a year or so. If you do it right, you may even have a "London Report" for us when you return in addition to your S.A. hunting report! If you haven't already, Google "Central London Gun Shops" and "Central London Book Stores". If you like reading or collecting books, hit Hatchard's, only 220 years old in the same location, on Piccadilly in Mayfair. All within easy walking distance of many (not all) of the famous gun makers. Westley is in Birmingham, an hour north by train and Rigby is across the Thames from central London past the MI 6 HQ.

The train is the cheapest way to get into central London from LHR, 6 or 7 pounds. But you have to study the underground and train stations to know when to get off and change to get the closest to the hotel you choose. If you want to go straight to your hotel door from the airport, use Blackberry's limo service....35 pounds.

I believe you'll love playing tourist in London!

 

[Hank2211]

Thanks sierraone. In won't really be playing tourist though - I need to find a place to live! At the ripe old age of 58 (59 by then) I'm going back to school. One of my kids got a masters, and I can't have her being smarter than me. So got accepted to the London School of Economics, and I now have to learn to study all over again.

 

[sierraone]

Thanks sierraone. In won't really be playing tourist though - I need to find a place to live! At the ripe old age of 58 (59 by then) I'm going back to school. One of my kids got a masters, and I can't have her being smarter than me. So got accepted to the London School of Economics, and I now have to learn to study all over again.

I did the same at 56, but not in London. Received another BA in Maritime Studies at 60, four years ago at the University of West Florida. I did look into studying archaeology for one or two semesters at the University Collage London in 2001. I could afford the school at that time, but could not afford to live in central London near the university then. It was something like 2000 pounds a month for a room and shared toilet!!! And for keeping your guns in storage for months at a time vs a few days??? Good luck is the best I can tell you. I can see another interesting report on how this turns out though! You will most likely find it rare that one of the young guys will be a better student than you due to 1. what you have already learned and accomplished in life and 2. you won't (at least not likely) be laying out half the night!!!
When you get settled in, PM me contact info, you just don't know when I will show up in London again!!!

 

[BRICKBURN]

.......... So got accepted to the London School of Economics, and I now have to learn to study all over again.

Congratulations are in order on your acceptance. Expect your brain to hurt a bit, at first, when you really start studying.

 

[K-man]

Thanks sierraone. In won't really be playing tourist though - I need to find a place to live! At the ripe old age of 58 (59 by then) I'm going back to school. One of my kids got a masters, and I can't have her being smarter than me. So got accepted to the London School of Economics, and I now have to learn to study all over again.

Wow! Sounds like work, but have fun, too. Won't that cut into your hunting time? Or are you just cutting your flight time by half.

 

[Hank2211]

And for keeping your guns in storage for months at a time vs a few days??? Good luck is the best I can tell you. I can see another interesting report on how this turns out though! You will most likely find it rare that one of the young guys will be a better student than you due to 1. what you have already learned and accomplished in life and 2. you won't (at least not likely) be laying out half the night!!!
When you get settled in, PM me contact info, you just don't know when I will show up in London again!!!

I should have been clearer. I'm stopping in London for a few days after a hunting trip, to find an apartment starting September 1. Then return home, and a month later, head back without the guns! I agree - storage would kill me!

Congratulations are in order on your acceptance. Expect your brain to hurt a bit, at first, when you really start studying.

Thank. Very kind, but let's save it for when (or if!) I graduate!

Wow! Sounds like work, but have fun, too. Won't that cut into your hunting time? Or are you just cutting your flight time by half.

It does cut into my hunting time. I've had to postpone my Lord Derby hunt by a year into 2019 - the last of the spiral horns I need!

We all have to make sacrifices . . . Or so my wife tells me.