SAPS 520 Question

[Craig Klintworth]

Anne of Air 2000 offers a GREAT service, use her, it is money well spent. As to serial numbers and caliber; a receiver number is OK just make sure they are easily visible.

 

[Kevin Thomas]

SAP520 Guidelines

Regarding the procedure for temporary importation of firearms into South Africa we ourselves have done some extensive research for our clients. As this is a free service that the South African Police offer we would like to share with all Africa Hunting members the copy we send out to our clients. Please feel free to download it and use it as a guideline when filling out the form.

Please feel free to give ask us questions or give us feedback if our form assists you.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[Bobpuckett]

I to would like to thank everybody for your help. I will be taking my own rifles on my next hunt in May/June and reading through this thread really helped again THANK YOU. Bob

 

[bdmd5093]

2 quick questions: 1)if we are not going the pre-approved route, I understand that I DO NOT complete section J and sign until I am at Tambo and in the presence of the official. However, can I go ahead now and complete section I 4.1-4.4, and sign and date it the current date and list my current location? Or, so both sections have to be completed and signed in the presence of the official?
2)if my wife is not traveling with me, do I have to include her info on page 2, 25.1-25.4? If so, since she does not have a current passport, do I list her social security number, drivers license number, or just leave the ID number field blank?
Thanks in advance...

 

[thecampingtrail]

Hi all , just wondering if any Australians Have been to SA recently and who have some tips for filling out this form as I already made the mistake of signing it prior to arriving lol

 

[James.Grage]

Go to travel Lori link on the front page and she has step by step instructions on how to fill out each page.

Make sure you use black ink and make about 3 copies after it is all filled out. I like to take the form and do the fill in on my computer and then print it and leave the signature for later. Use a stick note to mark where you need to sign.

What i like to do is put a copy of my passport page, copy of rifle (ownership) permit and SA form 520 together in my rifle case so when you pull it out for inspection you have all your documents together.

Remember to put your validated form with your rifle for additional inspection if needed.

When you check your baggage know which one is your ammo and which one is your rifle as you will need to know...

Hi all , just wondering if any Australians Have been to SA recently and who have some tips for filling out this form as I already made the mistake of signing it prior to arriving lol

 

[thecampingtrail]

Thanks for the help James it is much appreciated

 

[shaffce]

I have a question maybe someone has the answer to. I have come into SA through Joberg 3 times now and it was always the same. get the guns at bulk baggage, go to the office to get them checked in while 3 or 4 guys all but go through your pockets looking for a tip, then on to the police station with my SAPS form to get the permit. This June while at the police station,and they were taking thier good old time, because I didin't tip anyone up to this point. A couple of experienced looking guys came in without guns and within seconds the police pulled some gun cases out from behind the counter, the paperwork was magically produced, stamped and they were on thier way. They were there for literally 3 minutes total. It took us about an hour with all our paperwork in order. So the question is...how did they do that?

 

[Bobpuckett]

I have a question maybe someone has the answer to. I have come into SA through Joberg 3 times now and it was always the same. get the guns at bulk baggage, go to the office to get them checked in while 3 or 4 guys all but go through your pockets looking for a tip, then on to the police station with my SAPS form to get the permit. This June while at the police station,and they were taking thier good old time, because I didin't tip anyone up to this point. A couple of experienced looking guys came in without guns and within seconds the police pulled some gun cases out from behind the counter, the paperwork was magically produced, stamped and they were on thier way. They were there for literally 3 minutes total. It took us about an hour with all our paperwork in order. So the question is...how did they do that?

If you go through someone like Air2000 they do all the permits for you before you arrive to speed things up. Bob

 

[James.Grage]

I have used Gracy VIP service and i could have been one of the ones you are talking about.

First time to SA i also had all my paper work in order and waited about 3 hours to get through with tips.

I have come across that it will be a little more difficult to do this in the future with out prior planning and i will do so in the future.

I have a question maybe someone has the answer to. I have come into SA through Joberg 3 times now and it was always the same. get the guns at bulk baggage, go to the office to get them checked in while 3 or 4 guys all but go through your pockets looking for a tip, then on to the police station with my SAPS form to get the permit. This June while at the police station,and they were taking thier good old time, because I didin't tip anyone up to this point. A couple of experienced looking guys came in without guns and within seconds the police pulled some gun cases out from behind the counter, the paperwork was magically produced, stamped and they were on thier way. They were there for literally 3 minutes total. It took us about an hour with all our paperwork in order. So the question is...how did they do that?

 

[GSTONE]

I have used Henry Durrheim of riflepermits.com the last two years and have encountered no problems. I feel the fee he charges is well worth the expedited service he provides. He met me at Johannesburg, took me to SAPS, and had already had me send the permits before I arrived, so I was in and out in less than ten minutes.

I was advised if this service by my PH and my travel agent, and it was the easiest part of the whole process.

Hope this helps you!

 

[scanr]

Jerome,
I am bringing two rifles in my name and my spouse is bringing one rifle in her name. No time for service to handle, must do on our own. Do we need two seperate 520's due to each having firearms? Must split between two people because 2 rifles are same caliber.
Thank you.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Jerome,
I am bringing two rifles in my name and my spouse is bringing one rifle in her name. No time for service to handle, must do on our own. Do we need two seperate 520's due to each having firearms? Must split between two people because 2 rifles are same caliber.
Thank you.

Yes, you both need your own paperwork.

 

[scanr]

Thank you for clarifying two forms. Last dumb question. Black ink is specified in block letters. May I have the forms typed in black ink. Easier to read and appears more official. But will it not be accepted?

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Thank you for clarifying two forms. Last dumb question. Black ink is specified in block letters. May I have the forms typed in black ink. Easier to read and appears more official. But will it not be accepted?

I don't see why it would not be accepted.

 

[Charles Viljoen]

Thank you for clarifying two forms. Last dumb question. Black ink is specified in block letters. May I have the forms typed in black ink. Easier to read and appears more official. But will it not be accepted?

Yes , you can type it .

As Jerome mentioned , you must apply for two permits.

If you have in any case two rifles of the same calibre , you can import only 1 of them on your name ........

 

[Frozen6bt]

So for the do-it-yourselfer, once you have the SAP520 filled out, where do you send it for pre-approval?

 

[GSTONE]

The only way I know of is to use a service such as riflepermits.com. They get the completed paperwork to SAPS, as well as meeting you at Johannesburg and taking you to the SAPS area at Tambo for the visual inspection of the firearm(s). After that, the firearms are turned over to you.

 

[Cliffy]

+1 with GSTONE
For the do it yourselfer you will have to check in when you get there No way I know of to pre-approve without one of the "approved" companies. It really isn't that big of a deal to do it yourself in SA. I've done it several times. It may take a few minutes longer as the pre-approves get in first but it's really not a big deal. Show up with your SAPS form ( NOT signed yet!) at the SAPS office just outside of the Customs doors, find your rifle box and wait in line. You'll have to open it up so they can check S/Ns they sign it give it to a clerk to type up (this is where some time may be spent as they type on South African Time once you get it back, off you go. Don't lose your papers as you will have to show them if you get inspected at a road block and you will have to turn them in when you leave SA. I had a nice conversation with a SA female cop while I was waiting the last time.

 

[Frozen6bt]

Thanks for the info!