Paperwork to Import Rifles into South Africa

[Dakota Hunter]

What is the process to take your own rifles to Africa without a meet & greet or pre approved form SAPS form ?

 

[JimP]

Do a meet and greet or at least a preapproved SAP's form from one of the companies.

Other than that download the SAP's 520 form and fill it out.

Travel Express has a blank form and a example on how to fill it out on their web site.

But trust me the little that you pay for a meet and greet and pre approved permit is some of the best money that you will spend on the trip.

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[Dakota Hunter]

Someone said you had to take your rifle to US Customs to get a form stamped.

 

[gillettehunter]

Print and fill out a Saps 520. Examples are available on-line.
Have a US form 4457. Less than a year old is safest.
Letter of invitation from your outfitter. Should have where your hunting and dates.
Copies of your airline itinerary.
My last trip to RSA those items took care of everything needed. I took notarized copies of my 4457. Print several copies of your itinerary and letter of invitation so they can keep one. Print a blank Saps 520 in case you made some error on the one you filled out.
A service is nice and will help especially if you have tight connections to somewhere else. If you have more time than money you can do it yourself.
Bruce

 

[Rem700stw]

You will need to have a U.S. Customs form 4457 listing the pertinent information and serial number for any and all firearms you take outside the U.S. It is a good idea to have this form for all expensive gear you take as well to prove ownership prior to leaving the U.S. (scope, binos, camera, etc.) Take MULTIPLE photocopies of these with you as well. All items listed on a 4457 must be inspected by Customs.

 

[gillettehunter]

Someone said you had to take your rifle to US Customs to get a form stamped.

That's your 4457. Most customs offices seem to want to examine the rifle. In Wyoming we have exactly one customs office. He is a hunter and is fine if you email or fax him the make, model, caliber and serial number on your rifle. About a week later my 4457 shows up in the mailbox.
Bruce

 

[Rem700stw]

I would highly recommend the use of @riflepermits.com. The small cost is well worth the time savings at the airport and reduced hassle.

 

[Hank2211]

As others have said, life is a lot easier if you're using a service. Not because the application process is hard - it isn't. If you want to do it yourself, all you need is the form properly filled out (better be in black ink for example - blue is a fail) and the necessary other documents (letter of invitation, proof of ownership of the rifle, etc.). You take it all to the Police office at JNB and they stamp it and give you your rifle and ammo. Maybe.

You hire a service because you're in Africa, and things can - and often (more often than not?) - do go wrong. And when things go wrong, talking slowly (or, as many do, loudly) hardly ever fixes anything. You need someone who knows the ins and outs of the system, who knows the people involved, and who can get things done when you can't. And who knows who to see and how much to "pay," if that becomes necessary.

When you hire a service, you aren't buying the service. You're buying insurance. And like most insurance, if you didn't need it, you might think you've wasted your money, but if you did need it, you're really glad you were smart enough to get it.

 

[Edster]

I did the meet and greet and rifle permits thru one of the many services. Landed at 4am. Had luggage, thru customs, in and out of SAP with guns and on the road by 4:45am. Money well spent ! Plus they met us when leaving and got us thru check in and SAP once again. Brought us to the front of the line at every stop

 

[Mekaniks]

A rifle permit service is cheap insurance, they will walk you through all the necessary steps and have your permit approved before you ever leave the States.
It's South Africa and I would not want to be the guy standing in the SAPS office trying to argue over my rifle paperwork......

 

[Dakota Hunter]

Does a stamped copy of the 4457 have to be submitted with the SAPS pre approval application ?

 

[Edster]

Does a stamped copy of the 4457 have to be submitted with the SAPS pre approval application ?

Yes

 

[375Fox]

Does a stamped copy of the 4457 have to be submitted with the SAPS pre approval application ?

You need a stamped 4457 for a pre-approved or for a permit issued at the time. You also need a 4457 for when you return to United States to prove you didn’t acquire it abroad.

 

[Rell]

I just was told you need to go to her SHIPS office of customs in the airport, early before the flight, to get a 4457 day of departure.

 

[Rell]

I just was told you need to go to her SHIPS office of customs in the airport, early before the flight, to get a 4457 day of departure.

 

[sierraone]

I would highly recommend the use of @riflepermits.com. The small cost is well worth the time savings at the airport and reduced hassle.

Do this at least for your first time. Or prepare for a problem or two.

 

[The Engineer]

Rifle Permits saved my a_ _ on a DFW/JNB/Tete flight with a less than a 3hr layover at JNB. The airline refused to check my rifle through to Tete after I arrived at DFW even thought it had been previously approved by the airline home office. A call while taxying out to my PH got Rifle Permits in action and the had pre filled out forms for me when I arrived. They got my data from one of my previous transitions using Rifle Permits. I signed the forms on the way to the office and ten minutes later I had my rifle and was checking in for the flight to Tete.

The above being said, the biggest advantage to me of a service such as Rifle Permits is you go right to the head of the line at the permit office, a quick look at your rifle, and you are done. By the time I arrive at JNB I am tired and do not relish the idea of standing in line at the permit office, maybe for hours; and then "discussing" the importation of my rifle(s).

 

[Dakota Hunter]

I’m in contact with Riflepermits.com now. Thanks for all the advice guys. I just hope I have enough time as I want to take a new rifle that is on its way to me now. So I won’t have it until early next week and my arrival date is 10-1 in Africa. I have also talked to the local US Customs who said they would help fill out the form .

 

[R.M.C.]

I'm heading over in July 2022 and am using Gracy travel for the meet and greet. I'm gonna have them help me check my rifle in on the way home too. The less I have to worry about the better. Good luck on your hunt!!!!

 

[gillettehunter]

I just was told you need to go to her SHIPS office of customs in the airport, early before the flight, to get a 4457 day of departure.

I wouldn't do it that way. I get mine weeks or even several months before leaving. Just asking for trouble if they're too busy to help. Or the right person isn't there.
Bruce