More 4457 Drama

[JimP]

But UPS will actually deliver your package where the mail may be held up for a few months.

That is actually what happened to me when I went over. I didn't know of the problems with mail so I sent my paperwork by mail for a round $20. Two months later it still hadn't arrived at the service that I used so they agreed to allow me to email everything to them. About a month before I was going to head over they told me that the package had showed up. It took the mail 4 months to get it done.

But I also figure if I go back that I'll just rent a rifle and not have to jump through all the hoops of taking my personal one over.

 

[Ridgewalker]

But I also figure if I go back that I'll just rent a rifle and not have to jump through all the hoops of taking my personal one over.

That may be the easiest solution.

 

[Areaonereal]

Have used Afton in the past with Mr X. Scan and email Documents, no notary as a true copy of 4457, permit always issued within seven days. No pain, no sweat no expensive ups or slow mail.....just st scan and e mail. What could be easier? Three times with Afton and Mr X and smoooooth SAPS experience,

 

[brettp]

the last time I used riflepermits I was asked for the notarized document and to send hardcopy over to SA. Instead of that mess I just filled out the paperwork in advance, but didn't get the preapproval, with no issues or delays. The paperwork was still done before the rifles go there.

@Red Leg ,

I'm using Gracy this time too, but have decided not to do the pre-approval. With the concierge service they will stil help to get the paperwork done, it's just less money.

I got pre-approval without it.

 

[Royal27]

I got pre-approval without it.

Out of curiosity, using who?

 

[brettp]

Out of curiosity, using who?

I honestly don't know. My PH handled it but this was May.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Do they need notarized for Moz? I'm hunting SA in September and sent new undated 4457s to Gracy. They didn't ask that they be notarized, only that they be "current". Then again, I'm taking the same rifles as last year. When I went to customs to get the new forms, they were on the ball. They knew about the new BS and dug out some old forms with no expiration date. The new ones posted on the web "expire" in 2019. Aside from that, I send all my documents either Fed-Ex or Express Mail.
Sending anything as important as documents for a foreign trip first class is looking for trouble.

 

[Red Leg]

Do they need notarized for Moz? I'm hunting SA in September and sent new undated 4457s to Gracy. They didn't ask that they be notarized, only that they be "current". Then again, I'm taking the same rifles as last year. When I went to customs to get the new forms, they were on the ball. They knew about the new BS and dug out some old forms with no expiration date. The new ones posted on the web "expire" in 2019. Aside from that, I send all my documents either Fed-Ex or Express Mail.
Sending anything as important as documents for a foreign trip first class is looking for trouble.

No, Moz is simple - not Namibia simple - but simple. Your PH will handle it ahead of time. The bottleneck is Johannesburg. I'm going to Moz through Johannesburg with no overnight stay, and I still have to do the bloody entry exit drill - twice. Convinced it is an effort to see how many twenties I am willing to part with.

 

[sestoppelman]

Red Leg, why do you have to do SAPS baloney if not overnighting? I too am transiting Jo in a week but will remain in transit with bags shipped thru to WDK, and Lori at Travel Express says no SAPS. Were you not able to ship your luggage thru to Moz?

 

[Red Leg]

Red Leg, why do you have to do SAPS baloney if not overnighting? I too am transiting Jo in a week but will remain in transit with bags shipped thru to WDK, and Lori at Travel Express says no SAPS. Were you not able to ship your luggage thru to Moz?

Apparently switching from Emirates to SA causes me to enter and leave the country on both arrival and departure.

 

[sestoppelman]

I get you. that's too bad, extra grief. The last time I went we flew Jet Blue domestic which does not transfer guns to other airlines, so we had to do a big PITA transfer in NY, Not fun! We were going to SA anyway and not onward so had to do the SAPS thing but I had the pre approval papers waiting for me and Afton made it all relatively painless. Going Delta this trip domestic and to SA so should have no issues with gun transfers. Famous last words....

 

[Royal27]

Apparently switching from Emirates to SA causes me to enter and leave the country on both arrival and departure.

Yuck.

The next time I book flights I'm going to do everything I can to not go through Joburg at all. I will if it costs a significant amount of money to avoid, but if I can avoid I will.

 

[Red Leg]

Namibia - Transfer in Frankfurt - nice trip.

 

[cagkt3]

Apparently switching from Emirates to SA causes me to enter and leave the country on both arrival and departure.

Well that's a neat trick...airlines suck. Have to keep that in mind if I ever get to hunt another country. Going Emirates to Jo'berg next spring, but hunting in RSA.

 

[BRICKBURN]

The airport structure and where the airlines obtain gates will help determine if you can stay "in transit".

 

[sierraone]

I scanned my 4457 and SAPS 520 into the computer and sent it as a PDF file to Afton Safari Lodge for the pre approved permit, without anyone asking for a notarized copy. Does riflepermits.com want a notarized, paper copy sent by snail mail to them? I have done the scan and PDF for both trips, I didn't think anyone was actually sending paper in the mail to South Africa.

Notarized 4457 and passport, among other non notarized docs scanned and sent PDF to Rifle Permits was the way it was for me. No snail mail involved.

 

[brandondd24]

I just returned from the customs office in Minneapolis. Did my 4457 with no problems but the officer made me add my scope too, shouldn't be a problem but neither of us could see the serial number perfectly so put the number down I thought it said. If it's not right, will I lose the scope on return? Or have to pay a tax? Also any foreseeable problems with saps?
Appreciate any input!
Thank you
Brandon

 

[Red Leg]

I will not list and have never listed optics. If they want to take me to court, have at it. They can't win that case.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I do list my rifle and optics but the rifles are the only thing ever checked by CBP. It's a custom's form ONLY that proves you had it in your possession while in the U.S. I do it as a CYA but YMMV.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I will not list and have never listed optics. If they want to take me to court, have at it. They can't win that case.

"They" won't take you to court. They'll take your scope & YOU will have to go to the expense of proving you owned it before you left the U.S. to get it back. Playing hardball with CBP, TSA or HS is a fools game in my opinion and I've seen people lose that game at the airport while going through customs. Ask my buddy who tried to bring in two bottles of South African wine. Again, YMMV.