Melbourne, VIC to Johannesburg with Firearm on Qantas

[Sjakon]

I thought I would share my experience taking a rifle and ammo from Melbourne to Johannesburg and back on Qantas.

I am waiting for my flight to Sydney. The customer service person was very nice and professional. Asked for my dangerous good permit and my firearms license. Asked where my ammo was and how much it weighed. Got me to wrap the rifle in yellow tape and go to oversize luggage. Oversize luggage needed a QF representative to be present. Asked me to open the rifle case. Closed it again and wrapped it in more tape. All done. I will let you know how Sydney to Joberg goes tomorrow.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Hope it goes smoothly.

 

[Sjakon]

I thought I would share my experience taking a rifle and ammo from Melbourne to Johannesburg and back on Qantas.

I am waiting for my flight to Sydney. The customer service person was very nice and professional. Asked for my dangerous good permit and my firearms license. Asked where my ammo was and how much it weighed. Got me to wrap the rifle in yellow tape and go to oversize luggage. Oversize luggage needed a QF representative to be present. Asked me to open the rifle case. Closed it again and wrapped it in more tape. All done. I will let you know how Sydney to Joberg goes tomorrow.

Well arriving in Sydney was not a problem. Got my bag and ammo of the carousel and then went to Qantas baggage services to pickup the Mauser .416 Rigby in the Pelican case. It is heavy. The pain was taking the gun and luggage to the international terminal which is a long way from domestic. In retrospect I should have used a taxi instead of the train. Anyway am in the airport hotel and tomorrow to border force and check in.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

As long as you have your two permits complete, Sydney BF should be a breeze. Just allow an extra hour, as they often are short on firearm trained staff. They'll then escort you right to check in.

As an aside, @Mark R and I have had the same thing with check-in staff wanting to open and inspect your firearm. They are neither licensed, nor authorised to do so...

Good luck with the rest mate

 

[Tim Blackwell]

PS, The T-Bus is the easiest way to get between to two Sydney terminals.

 

[Mark R]

I am in discussion with Qantas at the moment regarding opening the rifle case in public view. I’m not sure this is even legal. Stay tuned.

 

[Sjakon]

All good. Have boarded. Was warned to register and email the forms to Border Force a month before next time. Was also told by Border Force that I could not take ammo back to Australia. I guess I will have to shoot 60 rounds or leave some of the FMJs with Marius for a future Elephant hunt.

 

[Tintin]

Was also told by Border Force that I could not take ammo back to Australia. I guess I will have to shoot 60 rounds or leave some of the FMJs with Marius for a future Elephant hunt.

Might be another case of ABF members MSU. Making stuff up.

https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/categories/firearms

^ B709A only required to import standard sporting ammo.

Keep the updates coming.

Safe and successful travels.

 

[R eight]

Have a great trip

 

[John458Lott]

Might be another case of ABF members MSU. Making stuff up.

https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/categories/firearms

^ B709A only required to import standard sporting ammo.

Keep the updates coming.

Safe and successful travels.

Indeed not true at all. Have brought ammo out and back to Sydney no issues multiple times. In fact never even checked on return but if you have it listed on the RGP no issues. B709 no longer required in NSW only an RGP.

 

[flatwater bill]

Is Sydney to JNB nonstop? If so, you will probably see your rifle again. All the best.......FWB

 

[Mark R]

Is Sydney to JNB nonstop? If so, you will probably see your rifle again. All the best.......FWB

Yup it is.

 

[Mark R]

All good. Have boarded. Was warned to register and email the forms to Border Force a month before next time. Was also told by Border Force that I could not take ammo back to Australia. I guess I will have to shoot 60 rounds or leave some of the FMJs with Marius for a future Elephant hunt.

Yes you need to register with ABF and send your RGP off beforehand to your state ABF office (in your case Tullamarine) and unless anything has changed in the last 3 weeks you can indeed bring back ammo..... if it was noted on your export documents....

 

[Shifty]

This so all good information , I’ll be heading over in end of March 2023 Melbourne-Perth then Perth-Joberg.
So I need to see ABF in Melbourne not Perth?

 

[Mark R]

This so all good information , I’ll be heading over in end of March 2023 Melbourne-Perth then Perth-Joberg.
So I need to see ABF in Melbourne not Perth?

Yes, you need approval from your home state and then present approved forms at the port of exit from Australia, in your case Perth ABF at the airport.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

As long as you have your two permits complete, Sydney BF should be a breeze. Just allow an extra hour, as they often are short on firearm trained staff. They'll then escort you right to check in.

As an aside, @Mark R and I have had the same thing with check-in staff wanting to open and inspect your firearm. They are neither licensed, nor authorised to do so...

Good luck with the rest mate

@Tim Blackwell
When I flew from Sydney to Joberg via Perth I had no issues at all. BF just wanted to check sieral numbers in Sydney. Locked back up and escorted to departure. Very smooth and efficient and courteous staff.
Didn't have any problems in Perth transferring to Jo'burg. Like you said if you have the right paperwork it's a breeze.
Bob

 

[geoff rath]

My trip was about five years back; because of flight stuff-ups, we flew Bne-Syd on the same day we were to fly to Joberg; !Qantas dick said cross-runway transfer of ammo was not on; had to overnight in Sydney then fly out the next day. Stuffed up arrangements in S A. We left spare ammo over there, help the PH/Outfitter out for the future. clearance of f/arms and ammo can
to be done by customs, or Fed Police.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

This so all good information , I’ll be heading over in end of March 2023 Melbourne-Perth then Perth-Joberg.
So I need to see ABF in Melbourne not Perth?

I don't think anyone flys direct from Perth any more?? Syd-Joburg is the only option I believe.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

All good. Have boarded. Was warned to register and email the forms to Border Force a month before next time. Was also told by Border Force that I could not take ammo back to Australia. I guess I will have to shoot 60 rounds or leave some of the FMJs with Marius for a future Elephant hunt.

I'm guessing you didn't have ammo listed on your permit? Should be no problem to bring it back if you did.

 

[Zambezi]

I don't think anyone flys direct from Perth any more?? Syd-Joburg is the only option I believe.

There is a service starting up in November (think it is Qantas) doing PER-JNB.